It should seem, therefore, that the Crust of the Earth is not that fixed and immovable mass of unyielding rock which it is often supposed to be. Whatever the gigantic power is which lies shut up within it, and which seems, clearly enough, to be developed in some way or another--perhaps in many ways at once--from internal heat, that power exercises a mighty influence from age to age on the outward form of our planet. Like the wind, indeed, it bloweth where it listeth, and we cannot tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth; but we can hear the sound thereof, and witness its effects when it breaks out now in this quarter of the world, and now in that, bursting open the massive rocks, and furiously vomiting forth whole mountains of smouldering ashes and molten mineral; or again, when, failing to find a vent, it shakes the foundations of the hills, and shivers into fragments the most enduring works of man--castles, temples, palaces,--filling every heart with terror and dismay; or, in fine, when it gently upheaves the bottom of the ocean, or by withdrawing the strain, allows the Crust of the Earth to subside, with a movement so gradual and insensible as to escape the notice of the multitudes who are toiling in the busy cities on its Surface. That phenomena of this kind have been going on in all past ages, is now universally assumed in the speculations of Geology: that they are going on in the present age, we have here endeavored to prove by the evidence of facts. If we have succeeded according to our expectations, the reader will be prepared to admit that, on this point at least, it is not the Geologist who may fairly be charged with having recourse to the inventions of his fancy, but rather those who, assuming as a first principle that Geology is false, perseveringly shut their eyes to the physical changes that are going on around them. [Illustration] PART II. THE ANTIQUITY OF THE EARTH CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO THE HISTORY OF GENESIS. _CHAPTER XVIII._ STATEMENT OF THE QUESTION AND EXPOSITION OF THE AUTHORS VIEW. _The general principles of geological theory accepted by the author--These principles plainly import the extreme antiquity of the earth--Illustration from the coal, the chalk, and the boulder clay--This conclusion not at variance with the inspired history of creation--Chronology of the Bible--Genealogies of Genesis--Date of the creation not fixed by Moses--Progress of opinion on this point--Cardinal Wiseman, Father Perrone, Father Pianciani--Doctor Buckland--Doctor Chalmers, Doctor Pye Smith, Hugh Miller--Author’s view explained--Charge of rashness and irreverence answered--Admonitions of Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas._