75 Essays on Creation and Gealogy. luge; at a determinate epoch fixed in the true, recorded, and carefully preserved history of the globe. He refers to an event not involved in chimerical conjecture, like that of the whole tribe of enthusiastic system-builders; but to an event which was certain, and of which there were ten thousand witnesses. And, if I mistake not, he does as much as say, that that event alone was the primary and grand cause of all, or almost all, the revolutionary appearances of our globe. At all events he assures us, whatever men may urge to the contrary, that it has never undergone another catastrophe similar to the flood; but that since the deluge, "the present heavens and earth are treasured up and preserved” from that, or any other revolution that would destroy them, "by the same word or power which destroyed the old world," for the purpose of being "burnt with fire, at the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." This, therefore, being a subject of prophecy, of some peculiar characters which were to arise in the latter days, little did those philosophers who have been so exceedingly industrious in examining the geognostic structure of the earth, and in comparing the anatomy of the animals which at present exist upon it, with the petrified and metamorphosed fossil remains of animals which have been dug from it, sometimes at considerable depths; and from thence drawing conclusions, which in their nature tend to sap the foundation of the Christian system; little did they imagine, I say, that, by these very arguments, instead of giving Christianity its death-blow, as perhaps some of them intended, they have inadvertently given it the triumph of an additional argument, arising from this very conduct of theirs; namely, that such impious attempts to oppose the Almighty were predicted of them. Thanks to you then, Messrs. H―, C, W- and the whole class of theoretical philosophers, for what you have inadvertently done for the interests of Christianity. And as for you M. Cuvier, we must single out you, as an adventurer, that has even surpassed your brethren, and say to you, that we could as soon believe the fantastic story of the moon's being a detachment from the tail of a comet, 72 Pet. iii. 7. 76 which, happening to come too near the earth, was attracted by it, and so has whirled round it as its humble vassal, ever since; as that your powers are infallibly such as, that from a single bone, or portion, or small fragment of bone, you are able to construct an animal, and demonstrate to what species, &c. it belongs; and that, not only such as you have had the opportunity of dissecting in the recent state, but such as you confess you never saw nor heard of, till this insolated fragment fell into your hands! How do such vaunting pretensions accord with your own acknowledgment, when you say, that as for these fossil animals," their races have even become extinct, and have left no memorial of them, except some small fragments which the naturalist can scarcely recognize?"* And when you frankly acknowledge respecting others, that they have treated this subject in such a manner as to have caused what you call the "Science of Geology, to have become ridiculous?" Now, if such was your opinion of others, you must pardon us, if, in some of your positions, we should have the same opinion of you; for what can be more "ridiculous" than your theory respecting the fossil remains of animals, and the visionary conclusions you draw from them?† Thus, when matters are fairly examined, without doubt it will indeed be found, notwithstanding the assertions of some learned men to the contrary, that there is still every reason to conclude, that in regard to the different tribes of terrestrial animals, though one generation passeth away, yet another generation cometh; so that the species with the earth still abideth. This fact, from the very nature of things, we are led strongly to presume. It was evidently to preserve the animals alive that the earth was provided with the means of animal subsistence, ere yet animals were created to subsist upon it. The formation of animals in pairs, male and female, is an argument to the same effect. And it must ever be maintained, that as there is at the head of the Creation an infinitely wise Intelligence, who works nothing in vain; even so this very thing secures the preservation of his • Cavier's Theory of the Earth, p. 17. 77 Answer to Query.-Anecdotes. 78 He re works. A demonstrating instance of haranguing the populace. peatedly summoned the deceased in If any should be disposed to consider the objections above stated, To the idea of the extinction of certain tribes of animals, to be not sufficiently demonstrated; I only beg of such for a little to suspend their judgment, till we come to that part of the subject where we shall have occasion to examine the nature of the proof on which the assertion, That whole species of animals have become extinct, is founded; when I hope to make it appear, to the satisfaction of every reasonable mind, that the proofs are of such a doubtful, precarious, and uncertain nature, as to render the objections here advanced sufficiently conclusive. ANSWERS TO QUERY ON ESSENTIAL Inserted in No. 20, col. 844, of the Imperial Query. What is the reason of essential oils becoming milky on the addition of alcohol? Sir John Maynard. WHEN Sir J. Maynard, an eminent English lawyer, waited upon the prince of Orange, the new monarch, after the abdication of James II. with an address; William observed to him, that, judging from his age, he must have outlived most of the judges and eminent lawyers of his standing. To this Sir J. replied, "And I should have outlived the law too, had it not been for the arrival of your Majesty." Fareham, Oct. 6, 1820. G***** GENUINE ANECDOTE, COMMUNICATED THE Hon. Wm. Gray, of Boston, (New Answer.-Essential oils, on exposure to air, for some time absorb oxygen, and become resinous, by which they lose their volatility, fragrance, and pungency. Query.-What could be done to pre-gave him a shilling, which he ac vent it? cepted with thanks, observing, that if he had at any time any market things to carry home, he would readily do it for him; and "if I should not happen to be there,” said he, “just inquire for Billy Gray, and I will come immediately." It is unnecessary to add, the surprise and mortification of the lawyer, on hearing that a man worth a million of dollars, had performed this menial service for him; but it had its effect, for he never afterwards required the assistance of any one to aid him in performing his marketing, or to carry home his meat.-Savannah Republican, NORTHERN EXPEDITION. THE long interval which elapsed, from the time that the Griper and the Hecla, under the command of captain Parry, sailed into the Polar regions, with a design to discover the north-west passage, and the earliest accounts which were received from them, had created serious apprehensions for their safety. They have however at length returned; and although no official account has yet been published of their voyage, we learn from the few particulars which have transpired, that the enterprise has been attended with more success than any similar undertaking which preceded it. The general outline which follows, we copy chiefly from the Literary Gazette. 82 trance of Lancaster Sound, on the 1st of August 1819. On the 7th the ships were in the Regent's inlet, (see the chart,) and there, in about 90° of long. the variation of the needle was, we understand, about 120° west. Stopped by ice, they left the inlet, which is supposed either to extend to Hudson's Bay, or trend along the northern shore of America, and resumed their progress up Barrow's Straits, leaving behind them Croker Bay (the Croker mountains of Captain Ross.) They speedily discovered the group of islands, where Lowther Isle is marked, nine in number, and named the New Georgia Isles. Proceeding onward, they observed, when rather more than half way to the ultimate point at which they arrived, that the variation of the From some accounts which had been needle was above 120° east: thus it appublished, an opinion prevailed, that pears that the magnetic meridian must the mean temperature during twelve lie between that degree and the degree months at the North Pole was from ten of 90, which we observe from the chart to twelve degrees above zero. This runs through the inlet, where the variaopinion was, however, found to be tion was towards the west. At sea the erroneous, it being ascertained by our compass had been quite useless since adventurous navigators, that even in the 7th August, and it was only on land the latitude where they wintered, the that the needle traversed. The greatmean annual temperature was two de-est dip was above 88°; and our sciengrees below zero. In consequence of tific readers, putting these data togethis intense cold, they endured great ther, will perhaps agree with us in suphardships; of which it was no small posing that the magnetic pole is siaggravation, that for the last nine tuated somewhere on the American months they were upon short allow-continent, between the longitudes we ance of bread, and, during the summer have mentioned, and below the latimonths, of other necessaries; thus add- tude of 70°. ing the cravings of hunger to the pinchings of frost. On the 7th of September, after encountering many dangers, the vessels It is nevertheless pleasing to learn, were anchored in Winter Harbour, that amidst these privations and suffer- Melville Island. In the beginning of ings, the sailors bore their situation November their night began, and it not only with resignation and fortitude, lasted till the beginning of February but with cheerfulness and good hu- 1820, when the sun was seen for a few mour. Frequently, when they had re- minutes above the horizon. This luturned from a day of fatiguing and un-minary gradually prolonged the time productive search for game, they wrapped themselves in their blankets, to try by sleep to forget their exhaustion, and that appetite which they durst not satisfy, lest they should, by encroaching on their next day's scanty allowance, or on their general stock, be in the end confined to these dreary regions, starving and without subsistence. Notwithstanding this, never a murmur escaped one of them; but for patience, fortitude, and firmness, they displayed a picture unsurpassed even by the noblest examples of English seamen. The expedition arrived at the en during which it rose, till in June it became constantly visible, circling round and making changeless day. On the 1st of August the vessels were released from the ice, nearly as suddenly as they had been overtaken by the winter; and our hardy countrymen, with the blessing of Providence, were enabled to pursue a homeward, but still perilous course. Their furthest point was beyond 114° west. The ice all around them in the Polar Sea was above 40 feet thick; and no vessel could by possibility navigate farther in that direction, north, west, or south. It is probable therefore that Regent's Inlet will be more minutely 83 Northern Expedition. 84 explored by the next expedition, sent | returned, though with his throat all into these parts, and that hardly any mangled. There were no fish, and no other attempt will be made to the west- game of any kind till the summer came, ward of Liddon's Gulf (so named from when those birds and animals we the commander of the Griper, not have mentioned made their appearSeddon, as has been erroneously print- ance. Grass, saxafragium, and poped.) The ships were roofed over dur- pies, formed the herbage, in patches ing the winter, and the crews did not, and tufts, which looked green and gay as reported, erect huts on shore. Mel- at a distance, but was very thinly seatville's Island was however explored by tered over the marly surface of the hunting parties, and Capt. Parry cross-earth. In geology, limestone, sanded it, and was absent for three weeks together. It is reckoned about 150 miles long, and from 30 to 40 broad. It is also supposed that the whole sea, north of the American continent, is broken into Islands. It does not appear that natural history has been much enriched thus far by the objects obtained. Only one Bear was seen during their stay at Melville Island. This came smelling up to the Hecla, when Captain Parry directed some of his men to shoot it. Unfortunately, through some misconception of the directions given, they fired in platoon, and only wounded the shaggy monster, which retired growling and bloody. The crews of both vessels immediately gave chase, and continued the pursuit two or three miles, when Bruin found security in crossing some ice, and the sailors were compelled to return, disappointed. The wolves were large, and were heard nightly howling in a most disagreeable manner. The other quadrupeds found, when the summer returned, were the musk-ox, of which several were killed, the deer, the fox, and the mouse; the latter remained through the winter, were numerous, and changed from brown to white. The fowls were chiefly the arctic gull, the glaucus, the ptarmigan (which has been called the partridge), and a singularly beautiful duck denominated the king-duck. stone, and slate, were most prominent; coarse granite was found in round detached pieces in the ravines, and other mineral specimens were picked up. Some of the isles were amazingly precipitous, rising from 3 to 800 feet above the water. From the entrance of Lancaster's Sound to Melville Island, the land gradually declined, till, from towering and pointed rocks, it became gently undulated. The distance between Winter Harbour and Copper-mine River may be about 150 or 200 miles. The whole distance which the expedition went from the mouth of Lancaster's Sound, was about 500 miles. There were traces of old Esquimaux huts on Melville Island. The lowest temperature was 55° below zero. These are the chief facts which we have gathered respecting this truly gratifying expedition, which not only reflects honour on all concerned in it, but on the country. Mr. Barrow's prescience is happily illustrated by its results, which have so completely established all that he predicated. Nor is Captain Parry's eulogy to be lightly spoken: his whole conduct has been admirable; and we imagine that this sketch will greatly increase the public anxiety to see the precise details of a voyage which has opened a new sea to British navigation, and gone far to indicate the very seat of one of the greatest wonders in nature. Upon this sub The owl, in full beauty of feather, seemed to inhabit this inhospitable re-ject, we have heard that Sir H. Davy gion throughout the year. A curious circumstance in natural history has been mentioned to us. It is stated that one of the she-wolves of the country where the vessels were laid up, formed an intimacy with a ship dog, and almost daily visited him for some time, as if he had belonged to the same species. At last the dog, a setter, belonging to one of the officers of the Griper, followed his wild companion, and was never seen more. Another dog from the Hecla also went off, but has made some important discoveries by experiments with the galvanic battery at home; and we look with profound curiosity to the further developement of the principles of magnetism, electricity, and attraction, to which these circumstances will stimulate and help the scientific world. The tables and other data in Captain Parry's work, must be of immense consequence. It would appear from the hardihood with which our countrymen bore the excessive cold to which they were ex |