The incessant dashing of the waves against the base of the chalk-cliffs, undermines the strata, and huge masses of rock are constantly giving way and falling into the waters. The chalk then becomes softened and disintegrated, and is quickly reduced to the state of mud, and transported to the tranquil depths of the ocean, where it subsides and forms new deposits; but the flints thus detached, are broken and rolled by attrition into the state of boulders, pebbles, and gravel, and ultimately of sand. [Illustration: Lign. 9:--View of Brighton Cliffs; looking eastward from Kemp Town.[I] _a. Cliff's composed of chalk rubble._ _b. Ancient elevated sea-beach._ _c. Chalk forming the base of the Cliffs._ ] [I] Note V. _Brighton Cliffs._ [Sidenote: BRIGHTON CLIFFS.] Now we must bear in mind, that had the chalk remained at the bottom of the deep sea in which it was originally deposited, it would not have been exposed to these destructive operations. It is therefore manifest, that at some very distant period of the earth's physical history, the bed of the Chalk-ocean was broken up, extensive areas were protruded above the waters, lines of sea-cliffs were formed, and boulders, sand, and shingle accumulated at their base. Subsequent elevations of the land took place, and finally, the sea-beach was raised to its present situation, which is several hundred feet above the level of the sea! Every part of the earth's surface presents unequivocal proofs that the elevation of the bed of the ocean in some places, and the subsidence of the dry land in others, have been, and are still, going on; and that, in truth, the continual changes in the relative position of the land and water, are the effects of laws which the Divine Author of the Universe has impressed on matter, and thus rendered it capable of perpetual renovation:-- Art, Empire, Earth itself, to change are doomed; Earthquakes have raised to heaven the humble vale, And gulfs the mountain's mighty mass entombed, And where the Atlantic rolls wide continents have bloomed. Beattie. [Sidenote: IMMUTABILITY OF THE SEA.] Our noble poet, Lord Byron, in his sublime apostrophe to the Sea, has most eloquently enunciated the startling fact revealed by modern geological researches,--namely, that if the character of immutability be attributable to anything on the surface of our planet, it is to the ocean and not to the land!-- Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean--roll! Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain; Man marks the earth with ruin--his controul Stops with the shore:--upon the watery plain The wrecks are all thy deed, nor doth remain A shadow of man's ravage, save his own. When, for a moment, like a drop of rain. He sinks into thy depths with bubbling groan, Without a grave, unknell'd, uncoffin'd, and unknown!