Principles of Geology: Or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and Its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology, Volume 1

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J. Murray, 1872
 

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Page 78 - The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted, in his works, any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 47 - He knew the seat of Paradise, Could tell in what degree it lies: And as he was dispos'd, could prove it, Below the moon, or else above it.
Page 88 - Objections to the doctrine that causes similar in kind and energy to those now acting, have produced the former changes of the earth's surface, considered. IP we reflect on the history of the progress of geology, as explained in the preceding chapters, we perceive that there have been great fluctuations of opinion respecting the nature of the causes to which all former changes of the earth's surface are referable. The first observers conceived the monuments which the geologist endeavours to decipher...
Page 7 - There are creations also, and destructions of worlds innumerable : the Being, supremely exalted, performs all this with as much ease as if in sport, again and again for the sake of conferring happiness...
Page 609 - Puzzuoli quitted their habitations in terror, covered with the muddy and black shower which continued the whole day in that country, — flying from death, but with death painted in their countenances. Some with their children in their arms, some with sacks full of their goods, others leading an ass, loaded with their frightened family, towards Naples...
Page 160 - Methought, I saw a thousand fearful wrecks ; A thousand men, that fishes gnawed upon ; Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl, Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, All scattered in the bottom of the sea.
Page 84 - ... patiently to await the result at some future period, was the object proposed by them ; and it was their favourite maxim that the time was not yet come for a general system of geology, but that all must be content for many years to be exclusively engaged in furnishing materials for future generalizations. By acting up to these principles with consistency they in a few years disarmed all prejudice, and rescued the science from the imputation of being a dangerous, or at best but .a visionary pursuit.
Page 319 - For as, by studying the external configuration of the existing land and its inhabitants, we may restore in imagination the appearance of the ancient continents which have passed away, so may we obtain from the deposits of ancient seas and lakes an insight into the nature of the subaqueous processes now in operation, and of many forms of organic life which, though now existing, are veiled from sight. Rocks, also, produced by subterranean fire in former ages, at great depths in the bowels of the earth,...
Page 30 - I found the sea in the same place, and on its shores were a party of fishermen, of whom I inquired how long the land had been covered by the waters ? ' Is this a question,' said they, ' for a man like you? this spot has always been what it is now.
Page 540 - This year eke on St. Martin's mass day, the llth of Novembre, sprung up so much of the sea flood, and so myckle harm did, as no man minded that it ever afore did, and there was the ylk day a new moon.

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