Page:Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology, 1837, volume 2.djvu/6



"In the present treatise, it is a matter of the warmest satisfaction to find an anatomist of Sir Charles Bell's great eminence, professing his contempt for the late fashionable doctrines of Materialism held by so many anatomists, and now coming forward to present the fruits of his wide researches and great ability, in a treatise so full of curious and interesting matter, expressly intended to prove, by the examination of one particular point, that design which is impressed on all parts of the various animals which in some degree answer the purposes of the hand, and has shown that the hand is not the source of contrivance, nor consequently of man's superiority, as some materialists have maintained. To this he has added some very valuable remarks, showing the uses of pain, and he has illustrated this work with a variety of the most admit able and interesting wood cuts."— British Magazine.

"The manner in which he has executed his task is able and satisfactory. With great and extensive experimental knowledge, and a complete acquaintance with his subject, as well as just and elevated views of the greatness and divine nature of the Creator, he has brought one of the most powerful chains of reasoning to the support of Revelation which philosophy has yet added to that holy cause."—N. Y. Commercial.

"Let works like that before us be widely disseminated, and the bold, active, and ingenious enemies of religion be met by those, equally sagacious, alert and resolute, and the most timid of the many who depend upon the few, need not fear the host that comes with subtle steps to ' steal their faith away."—N. Y. American.

"That the devoted spirit of the work is most exemplary, that we have here and there found, or fancied, room for cavil, only peradventure because we have been unable to follow the author through the prodigious range of his philosophical survey — and in a word, that the work before us would have made the reputation of any other man, and may well maintain even that of Professor Whewell."—Metropolitan.

"We have read this work (Buckland's Geology, &c.) with a degree of satisfaction and admiration which has increased at every step.

"It is a full digest of the most important facts in geology, happily combined, with great condensation and perspicuity, and by the most liberal use of plates beautifully executed, it speaks intelligibly to the eyes, even of those who are not familiar with the language of natural history, and thus it displays the astonishing structure of the world.

" The great moral demonstration which is its main object, is fully sustained, and we think that no man can rise from the intelligent perusal of it, without a full conviction that a creating and governing mind, infinite in power, knowledge, wisdom and benevolence, has gradually arranged the materials of this planet, and caused to be interred in its strata and mineral masses, documents of its history, and of that of innumerable races of animals and plants, from the most microscopic to the most colossal, which lived and died ere man appeared— documents surpassing in number and in credibility every thing of actual history, except the inspired record itself.

"With this record we believe these facts to be entirely consistent, and we are fully assured that ignorance of them is the sole cause of the incredulity and displeasure which are manifested by some as to the moral bearing of geology.

"We cannot now enter upon this argument, and can only say, in conclusion, that Dr. Buckland has, by the present work, laid both science and religion under great obligations,—while he will delight all his readers by the vigour, beauty and eloquence which gives his work as high a rank in literature as it claims in science."—Silliman's Journal.