lose; and though the value of the seed may not at once be recognised, though it may lie long unproductive in the ungenial soil of human knowledge, it will; some time or other, evolve its germ, and yield to mankind its natural and abundant harvest.”[D] A singular fact is connected with the early history of the Astronomical Society of London. A valuable set of tables, for reducing the observed to the true places of stars, was in course of preparation, at the expense of the society, including above three thousand stars, and comprehending all known to those of the fifth magnitude, inclusive, and all the most useful of the sixth and seventh. An incident which now occurred, gave rise to one of the most extraordinary of modern inventions. To insure accuracy in the calculation of certain tables, separate computers had been employed; and two members of the society having been chosen to compare the results, detected so many errors, as to induce one of them to express his regret that the work could not be executed by a machine. For this, the other member, Mr. Babbage, at once replied, that “this was possible;” and, persevering in the inquiry which had thus suggested itself, he produced a machine for calculating tables with surprising accuracy. The calculating part of the machinery occupies a space of about ten feet broad, ten feet high, and five feet deep. It consists of seven steel axes, erected over one another, each of them carrying eighteen wheels, five inches in diameter, having on them small barrels, and inscribed with the symbols 0, 1, to 9. The machine calculates to eighteen decimal places, true to the last figure; but, by subsidiary contrivances, it is possible to calculate to thirty decimal places. Mr. Babbage has since contrived a machine, much more simple in its construction, and far more extensive in its application. In thus enumerating various displays of mechanical genius, we are reminded that the prophet Isaiah, after describing the diverse labours of the husbandman, adds, “This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” In all the evidence we have of human talent, then, let us acknowledge that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,” Jas. i. 17. Would that the gifts of God were always used for the Divine glory! CHAPTER IV. Terrestrial phenomena--Footmarks on rocks--The Logan stone--Sounds in stones--The cave of St. Paul--Atmospherical phenomena--Intermitting springs--Waters of magical power. In proceeding to illustrate the operation of natural laws, we may look now at some of the phenomena connected with the globe we inhabit, of which, where little knowledge is possessed, erroneous and frequently superstitious opinions are still entertained.