262 
ORIGIN OF RIVERS. 
We cannot measure the share ‘which human action has had 
in augmenting the intensity of causes of mountain degradation, 
but we know that the clearing of the woods has, in some cases, 
produced within two or three generations, effects as blasting 
as those generally ascribed to geological convulsions, and has 
laid waste the face of the earth more hopelessly than if it had 
been buried by a current of lava or a shower of volcanic sand. 
New torrents are forming every year in the Alps. Tradition, 
written records, and analogy concur to establish the belief that 
the ruin of most of the now desolate valleys in those mountains 
is to be ascribed to the same cause, and authentic descriptions 
of the irresistible force of the torrent show that, aided by frost 
and heat, it is adequate to level Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa 
themselves, unless new upheavals shall maintain their elevation. 
It has been contended that all rivers which take their rise 
in mountains originated in torrents. These, it is said, have 
lowered the summits by gradual erosion, and, with the ma¬ 
terial thus derived, have formed shoals in the sea which once 
beat against the cliffs ; then, by successive deposits, gradually 
raised them above the surface, and finally expanded them into 
broad plains traversed by gently flowing streams. If we could 
go back to earlier geological periods, we should find this theory 
often verified, and we cannot fail to see that the torrents go on 
in Times, Places, and Persons, useth the aforesaid Modifications, save in 
such cases where some mystery contained in the number requireth a par¬ 
ticular specification thereof: 
In Times. 
Daniel, 5 : S3. 
Luke, 3: 23. 
In Places. 
Luke, 24:13. 
John, 6:19. 
In Persons. 
Exodus, 12:37. 
Acts, 2:41. 
None therefore can justly find fault with me, if, on the like occasion, I 
have secured myself with the same Qualifications. Indeed, such Historians 
who grind their Intelligence to the powder of fraction, pretending to cleave 
the pin , do sometimes misse the But. Thus, one reporteth, how in the 
Persecution under Diocletian , there were neither under nor over, but just 
nine hundred ninety-nine martyrs. Yea, generally those that trade in 
such Retail-ware , and deal in such small parcells, may by the ignorant be 
commended for their care , but condemned by the judicious for their 
ridiculous curiosity.”—The History of the Worthies of England, i, p. 59. 
