the principles of reasoning most usually applied to geological questions.” He then adverts to the expression, a geological logician, used by the President of the Geological Society, in an address to its members, and adds:-" A smile was seen on the countenance of some of the auditors, while many of the members, like Cicero's augurs, could not resist laughing; so ludicrous appeared the association of geology and logic." It is almost unnecessary to say, that, however the doctrine of repeated destruction, and as repeated creation, might coalesce with the slumbers and waking hours of the mythology of Menù, it laid the axe to the very root of the volume of Revelation. Those have been greatly deceived, who expected to see the order of creation registered in the rocks of the globe; who supposed that zoophytes were historic medallions of the most ancient formations; that other rocks, agreeably to their presumed relative age, carried the series from this point up wards, until it terminated in the more perfect types of organization displayed in quadrupeds; and that all these had been swept away before the creation of quadrumanous animals and of man, just as if the destruction of inferior tribes was the necessary pioneer for monkeys and humanity . . . . . Worlds of living beings alternating with worlds of death, destruction and death supervening before the creation of man and the first transgression, were the opinions of geologists."

pp. 98-100.

We believe that no quadrumanous animals, such as the ape or monkey, have ever been found fossil in the great formations of the globe; but it by no means follows from hence, that the discovery is not yet to come. Quadrumanous animals are entirely tropical, having their dwelling in trees. One of the most important of recent discoveries in geology, is the fact of the bones of the MAMMOTH having been found at North Cliff in Yorkshire, in a formation entirely lacustrine; while all the land and fresh-water shells in this formation, thirteen in number, have been accurately identified with species and varieties now existing in that county. Bones of the bison, whose habitat is now a cold, or at any rate a temperate clime, have been found in the same place. That these quadrupeds and the indigenous species of shells found along with them, had a contemporaneous existence in Yorkshire, (a fact which Mr. Lyell justly considers to be of vast importance in geological science,) has certainly been demonstrated by the Rev. W. V. Vernon, who had a pit sunk to the depth of upwards of two hundred feet through undisturbed strata, in which the organic remains of the Mammoth were found imbedded, together with shells, in a deposit which seems to have resulted from tranquil waters. Mr. Vernon considers these phenomena as proving, that there has been but little, if any change of temperature in the climate of Britain since the Mammoth lived there. Dr. Schouw, of Copenhagen, had come to a similar conclusion as to the climate of Palestine, from calculating the mean temperature necessary to the growth of the palm. The date palm is as successfully cultivated now in Palestine, as in the earliest period of which we have any account. The city of palms, or Jericho, was so called from the groves of palms in its vicinity; while pagan historians amply confirm what sacred history has so unequivocally described. Thus there seems no legitimate ground to suppose, either

that mammoths were non-contemporaneous with fossil remains of existing genera and species; or that the climate of the globe has materially changed since the era in which mammoths lived. The indiscriminate mixture of the higher types of organization with the lower types of animal formation, bids defiance to their being legitimately considered as a test in the decision of the question of the comparative age of rocks. The date of formations cannot, therefore, be determined from any particular description of organic remains, because the same organic remains are found in other strata and other formations. The obvious inferences from these premises are, that, 1. The theory of the successive development of animal forms has not the shadow of proof; 2. The various types of organization were contemporaneous; and as they now are, so they have ever been; 3. That geological facts, so far from countenancing an entire change of climate, prove the very reverse; and it follows, therefore, 4. That tropical vegetation, and tropical zoology, the organic wreck of which has come from every quarter of the globe, must have been transported by the violent action of the currents of an universal deluge, which has certainly circumfused the globe.' pp. 111–113.

Upon the interesting inquiry respecting fossil remains of MAN, the Author has the following remarks.

'It has often been asserted, that MAN, from never having been found in the state of a fossil, must needs belong to a creation comparatively recent, as the commencement, perhaps, of what Mr. Lyell would call a "geological cycle;" which, however, we confess our inability to comprehend and if there is one more decided attempt to strike at the very foundation of Revelation, than another, it is this. But it is not more repugnant to Revelation, than to sound philosophy and right reason; nor is there a single fact which can be brought forward to warrant such an assertion. Suppose that nothing of the kind had really been found, would it not be rash, in the present infant state of geological science, to infer that such may not be found? And yet, this has been received amongst geologists as a species of axiom. When the vast diluvial beds of clay and gravel, and the superior strata in Asia, shall have been explored, it will be time enough to venture on such a conclusion; but to hazard this opinion at present, is of a piece with the sweeping assumptions of geologists from first to last.'

We pity the evasive shifts to which those who reject Revelation are reduced, in considering this question. Let us take Mr. Lyell's remarks. "But another and a far more difficult question may arise out of the admission that man is comparatively of modern origin. Is not the interference of the human species (!) it may be asked, such a deviation from the antecedent course of physical events, that the knowledge of such a fact, tends to destroy all our confidence in the uniformity of the order of nature, both in regard to time past and future? If such an innovation could take place after the earth had been exclusively inhabited for thousands of ages by inferior animals, why should not other changes as extraordinary and unprecedented happen from time to time? If one new cause was permitted to supervene, differing in kind and energy from any before in operation,

why might not others have come into action at different epochs? Or what security have we that they may not arise hereafter? If such be the case, how can the experience of one period, even though we are acquainted with all the possible effects of the then existing causes, be a standard to which we can refer all natural phenomena of other periods?" Now these are certainly very heavy reasons, and entirely neutralize Mr. Lyell's assumptions; (for they are no better;) while our Author, in these very admissions, becomes suicidal to the whole drift of the argument for which his volume was written. The title of this otherwise certainly interesting work is this:-" Principles of Geology. being an Attempt to explain the former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by reference to Causes now in operation." Let us examine how Mr. Lyell meets his own inferences. "Now these objections," says he, "would be unanswerable, if adduced against one who was contending for the absolute uniformity throughout all time of the succession of sublunary events." Then follows an assurance, that he is not disposed to indulge in the philosophical reveries of the Egyptian and Greek sects. He, however, says nothing about those of India. Shall we call Mr. Lyell a "geological logician;" and is this to be accepted as a specimen? If Revelation is to be encountered with this kind of Logic, it may be safely met with pity and contempt.' pp. 116-118.

The Author then states the facts connected with the most striking cases of human fossils, for which we must refer to his book. Upon the strength of these facts he contends, in opposition to the mass of geologists, for the equal antiquity of human bones with those of antediluvian animals; and expresses his concurrence with Mr. Granville Penn, Mr. Young, and others, who think that, in addition to partial changes, both ante and post-diluvian, one universal deluge is quite sufficient to account for the facts and phenomena of geology; and that' to suppose any more, ' is a positive infraction of Sir Isaac Newton's celebrated maxim, 'that if one explanation is sufficient, it is superfluous and unnecessary to assume more.' He then proceeds.

Besides the authorities above mentioned, it is cheering to learn that M. Constant Prevost has lately laid before the Academy of Sciences, a treatise on the great geological question,-Whether the continents which are now inhabited, have or have not been repeatedly submerged? This Author maintains firmly, that there has been only one great inundation of the earth; and that the various remains of animals and plants, which have given rise to the supposition of successive inundations, have floated to the places where they are now occasionally found. Every successive investigation and every new discovery weaken the speculations of geologists; which are, at the present moment, only, at the best, a bowed wall and a tottering fence" and though they may, for a little longer, be able to satisfy themselves in the principles of "geological logic we doubt whether they will be able to convince others. None who are capable of reflecting, will be disposed to abandon Revelation, the proof of which is adamant at every

,

link, for the fooleries of a sceptical geology; and if there are any who, on a calm survey of geological facts, can discover a solitary one counter to the palpable truths of the Mosaic cosmogony, his opinion is at antipodes with our own; we view things through media that are altogether different.' pp. 119-122.

It has already been stated, that the work, besides its reference to the present state of geology, comprises an appeal, in confirmation of the Scriptures, to other branches of science, to historic fact, to rudiments of tradition, to sculptures, gems, coins, and medals. In addition to the direct confirmation of Scripture facts, the Author argues likewise from the dissipation of those many cherished theories of successive sceptics, which are ever exhaling before the advancing sun of science. Now when we witness, one after another, every theory, how ingenious soever, which has been devised in opposition to the facts of Scripture, proved to be incapable of standing the test of increasing knowledge; when we find them severally, in their day, entertained with all the confidence of scientific certainty, and vaunted as undoubted proofs of error in the word of God, but, by and by, convicted, withdrawn from observation, willingly consigned to forgetfulness, or exciting shame in their former advocates; may we not safely conclude from such repeated failures, that the facts which they were intended to discredit, will defy every future assault? May we not infer this consequence, just as certainly as, from finding that every structure not in accordance with the laws of equilibrium derived from gravity, becomes unstable, and threatens speedy ruin, we feel assured that the force of gravity certainly exists? If, in like manner, every device which contradicts the statements of the Bible, speedily comes to nought, are we not to revere those statements as the truth, which finally must prevail? The exposure of those theories, therefore, is justly placed in the work before us, among the demonstrations of the truth of Scripture. They are reductions to absurdity, not less convincing than the most positive proof.

We have dwelt at the greater length upon the volume before us, as being the work of a layman devoted to literature and science, and as it seems, in these times, peculiarly desirable to encourage gentlemen of the Author's character and attainments to come forward courageously to oppose the growing scepticism of the day, -to detect the sophistries, and to repel the daring insults levelled at the only system of religious truth which ever professed to cheer the heart of man with the substantial hope of a blessed immortality. The work is very miscellaneous, and, we must add, has been compiled without much regard to methodical arrangement. It is, however, full of interesting facts and observations; and one which we can cordially recommend, as adapted not less to please

than to instruct and convince. Had it been entitled 'Illustra'tions', rather than a Demonstration of the Truth of Revelation," the designation would have been, perhaps, not less inviting and more appropriate. The book is got up in a very respectable style, and is embellished with several plates, consisting of fac-similes of the various existing monuments to which the appeal is made, and comprises much valuable matter in a convenient compass.

Art. III. Memoir of the Life of the Rev. Matthias Bruen, of New York. 12mo, pp. 441. Edinburgh, 1832.

WE have perused this volume with feelings of high gratification. The subject of the memoir was, in his own country, universally respected by men of every rank, and by religionists of all persuasions. To many individuals of eminence in this country, he was also well known; and by all who had the opportunity of making his acquaintance, he seems to have been regarded with feelings of the warmest interest, not only as a man of talents and piety, but as exhibiting a degree of suavity of manners, delicacy of feeling, and gentleness of deportment, of which our American brethren have afforded us but too few specimens. In a letter to a friend on the occasion of his death, Dr. Smith of Homerton thus speaks of him:- My dear and never to be forgotten friend was an extraordinary man. In him were found qualities which "we think ourselves very happy to discover dwelling apart, each having a separate bosom for its temple.' That a memoir of such a man should be given to the world, by which, as his Biographer remarks, the image of one so peculiarly beautiful in his moral and intellectual structure, might for a while be kept from 'oblivion', must have been felt by all his friends to be exceedingly desirable. We are happy that the execution of this task has devolved upon one so well qualified to do justice to it as the Author of the memoir before us. Though published anonymously, it is sufficiently evident from some of the letters, as well as from internal evidence, that we are indebted for it to a female pen. Now the character of Mr. Bruen's mind,-distinguished, as it was, by delicacy of taste and perspicacity of conception, rather than by profundity or power, as well as the peculiar cast of temper and feeling which he exhibited, was exactly such as is most likely to be appreciated and accurately delineated by a highly cultivated woman. We are inclined to think, therefore, that, in the volume before us, we have a more faithful portrait of the mental and moral character of Mr. Bruen, than would in all probability have been afforded to us, had the execution of it been entrusted to one of more masculine ability, but less congenial mind. Indeed, we do not at this moment recollect any biogra

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