cisely similar modes. Like means, therefore, destroy coltsfoot as speedily and effectually as the common thistle. Here a great principle announces itself. To destroy weeds they must ever be checked in their progress, when they will naturally grow themselves out, and die. But even this principle requires in its application a varying modification. The large Scotch thistle is prone to grow by seed, subsequent to the best cultivation. It is also an annual, and should never be allowed to seed among either hay, grass, or on pasture. A right chain of processes is therefore the foundation of purely scientific agriculture, in which time and a sequence of operations prepare land much better at one half the expense. Reducing field culture to garden forms, cleanliness, and fertility.

Geology so far instructs us in the rudiments of agriculture. Finely divided lime is a valuable ingredient in the composition of a soil. In the coal measures and up to magnesian limestone it is commonly wanting. When vast testaceous remains underwent decomposition, and were deposited on the surface of the fourth formation, it was the same as if powdered bones had become a component part of the soil, and fitted it for the production of brush wheat; whilst it could not be profitably raised on the newer groups of the tertiary formation, because the powdered bones were omitted. Such are the sort of facts which are capable of moulding agriculture into a regular science. As

a literary topic it would then become amusing and instructive at the same time, unexampled in the beauty of its facts, and the force of its inferences. Alike delightful to the general reader and the philosopher. Training the mind in the arts of induction, leading it spontaneously into all the breadth of generalization, and all the minutiæ of particularization, or the useful application of science and skill.

British agriculture, viewed through the medium of plain and enlightened science, would seem but in its dawn, rising to a state of vigorous maturity, active industry carried on in better forms, and a liberal advancement of capital in the careful cultivation of more fruitful fields. The soil of our sea-girt Isle is by no means wearing out, as closet philosophers would infer, but under the direction of liberal landlords, and in the hands of skilful tenants, its annual fruitfulness is multiplied and multiplying.

CHAPTER VIII.

ON THE APPLICATION OF GEOLOGY TO THE PHYSICAL LAWS WHICH REGULATE THE UNIVERSE.

WHEN Sir Isaac Newton demonstrated that the laws of the universe were regulated on fixed and mathematical rules, the movements of which were regular and constant, he brought us nearer to an acquaintance with Heaven's laws, by shewing us their unquestionable existence. Bold as this generalization appears, it nevertheless totally fails in bringing investigation into definite forms. That matter was organized on general principles, was all that the discoveries of Newton made known. What those principles were, still lay in the realms of darkness profound. Something was placed under regulated movements. There knowledge stopped, and philosophy took its stand. Any leading peculiarities in organic matter were as entangled in mystery as ever, and not even thought about. Though they were obviously the main subject to be thought of. By the application of Infinite wisdom, and power omnipotent, the matter of the universe is balanced and brought under organic action. What are the differences observable in that matter, is a question on the surface, and

inferentially unavoidable.

Yet has never been

once asked, even though it be the subject matter of all sound philosophy.

Dr. Dalton has had the high honour of breaking through the seemingly spell-bound chain of being, by shewing that matter is composed of atoms which differ in volume. The inference is here plain. Then the uniformity of physical forces apply to materials compounded of atoms that differ in form, divisibility, and density. Diversity in matter arose ; and that diversity has been poised and brought under organic action, as demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton. Being is not in a state of chaos. Regulated action on strictly physical laws prevail. An unanswerable truism about which no doubts can be started,

Sir Isaac Newton announced a bold generalization. Dr. Dalton's discovery was no less comprehensive in detail. The one disclosed the existence of a general law; the other a leading feature in the materials to which that law applied. Neither of those truly great men, most wisely, assigned any cause, why either matter or intelligence exist at all. They do exist. The laws and form of that existence, have determined the limits of human investigation. Dalton may be said indeed to have discovered a cause on which the laws demonstrated by Newton essentially depend. Had the properties of matter been perfectly equal in form, divisibility, and density, the superstructure of organic action

must have been without a foundation to rest upon. Omniscience created a foundation, therefore, and based it upon the differences which the atomic structure exhibits. Perfectly suitable materials were moulded and formed into all the order and harmony of the universe.

Dr. Dalton having discovered a feature in atoms, stopped there. He, therefore, threw no mysterious veil over the philosophy of a future day. Not so are we to estimate Sir Isaac Newton, or those who have attempted to start where he left off. Having discovered a law, a verbal cause of that law was assumed in place of identical properties and features in matter. When he saw an apple fall to the earth, he inferred that the attraction of gravitation brought it down :-On what principles? Verbal legerdemain! An attractive law was assumed, instead of more rationally concluding that it was forced down by the active agency of some opposing force. A verbal and delusive form by such means crept into Philosophy, and contributed to vitiate its pure rules; and which is aptly illustrated by the magical term of magnetic attraction, instead of magnetic force.

Those verbal delusions have proved unfortunate. Combustion must be attended by the matter of caloric, instead of combustion exhibiting an elastic property in all that reigns over and around us. Omnipotence and omniscience have accomplished nothing by magical operations. All depends on organic and physical laws. Atoms more and less