317 
doubt the “ correct ” rate. But whatever be the rate we 
may think probable, judging from recent observations — and 
even as to this, let me observe, all men of science have 
certainly not come to one conclusion — very sure I am of this, 
there will be difficulty experienced in all our calculations from 
the depths of the past deposits, if we will measure them by 
those of the last 2,000 years, or even since the time of 
Herodotus. Sooner or later, as we clear away in our imagi- 
nations the surface of this mud-deposit, century after century, 
we shall approach to the end of the series, and find it a 
much harder task to conceive how the deposits began, than 
to count up their accumulations. It is fortunate for us that 
we are obliged by our reason to know, that even the Nile 
deposits must have had a beginning ; so that we cannot be 
satisfied with a speculation that speedily runs itself out and 
ends in a beginning that is simply an utter blank. 
Here I think I might quit the argument from the Nile mud, 
having shown it to be not one whit more cogent than that 
advanced from the monuments of Egypt. But I confess I am 
loath to omit some notice of what is to be found in old 
Herodotus, about the pyramids and the valley of the Nile, 
sufficient to have rendered impossible such arguments as we 
have been examining, in favour of such “ scientific doctrines ”\ 
Let us then gee what may be learnt from the old Greek 
historian. Professor Huxley asserted that Herodotus says 
that the Nile valley was once a great arm of the sea filled up 
in the process of time by mud brought down by the Nile. 
This was put forward as if Herodotus had testified this, and as 
a fact which had been ascertained. But that is not the case. 
What he says is, that the priests informed him that the greater 
part of the country had been acquired by the Egyptians 
(from the sea) ; which he says appeared to him to be the 
case ; and his reasons for this opinion are worth attending to. 
He says — 
“ I therefore both give credit to those who relate these things concerning 
Egypt, and am myself persuaded of their truth, when I see that Egypt 
projects beyond the adjoining land, and that shells are found on the moun- 
tains, &c. 
I need quote no further here, because you will observe 
Herodotus has already proved more than enough. He has 
proved, not that the valley had been under the sea, but the 
mountains that form its basin ; though he probably was not 
* Euterp. ii. 10, 12. 
