26 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCK LAND. 
[CH. II. 
First Cause is not less demonstrable from the structure of 
the earth than are His wisdom, power, and goodness. 
This lecture was afterwards published under the title of 
“ Vindiciaa Geologicse ; or, The Connection of Geology with 
Religion explained.” The object of his lecture was to show 
that the study of Geology, so far from being irreligious or 
atheistic in its consequences, had a tendency to confirm 
the evidences of Natural Religion ; that there could be no 
opposition between the works and the word of God ; and 
that the facts developed by it were consistent with the 
accounts of the Creation and the Deluge as recorded in the 
Book of Genesis. The inaugural lecture may still be read 
with pleasure for the ability and elevated feeling with 
which the Professor defended Geology, and every other 
science, from the narrowness of utilitarians. But while 
arousing interest he also excited opposition, and every 
onward step that he made towards giving the science of 
Geology a position in the University created opponents to 
its claims. Sometimes the opposition was serious enough, 
his opponents being men who feared that the study of 
God’s earth would shake the foundations of Christianity ; 
sometimes the objections raised only elicited a hearty 
laugh from the Professor. His friends had their jokes at 
the expense of the enthusiastic geologist. Here, for example, 
is a couplet suggested by Pope’s on Sir Isaac Newton, 
from the pen of Shuttleworth :— 
“ Some doubts were once expressed about the Flood ; 
Buckland arose, and all was clear as—mud.” 
Deeply engrossed though Professor Buckland was in 
geological pursuits, they were far from exclusively 
