Page:Medical Heritage Library (IA b30530933).pdf/49

Rh Neighbourhood ( Albert de Mandelzo tells us) started up also in such manner, June 16, 1628. And History relates the like in the Archipelago.

That new Islands should be formed in Rivers, as at the Conflux of the Save with the Danube, or Sands shifting in any Channels, may be from the Swiftness of the Streams, wasting some and raising others; but that this Effect should happen in deep Water, 50 or 60 Miles from Shore, is truly wonderful: The Phænomenon seems best resolved here, by subterranean Fires, which from a great Depth and Extent have their Vents at Volcanoes; and as the Consumption of their Materials is more, the nigher they are such Vents (observable in Italy, Iceland, &c.) so their Effects in the neighbourhood of Waters (when by any Accident the Mouth is stopp'd, and they meet) must be Concussions of the Earth, blowing the Mountains away in Cinders; and now and then in Ages, such a Wonder as a new Island, the same as we see (if we may compare great things with small) in several Chymical Preparations. This island has settled, and probably by the Spunginess of its Materials, may sink in a few Years out of sight again. The ultimate End, is perhaps to strike Mankind with a Dread of Providence, and warn a sinful World against the Consequences of angry Omnipotence: Men