to the event of the deluge, an interval of sixteen centuries more or less, we think that there was time enough for the deposition and stratification of the materials which compose the transition formations. 4. Then came the deluge, which was caused by precipitation of all the vapors in the atmosphere to the earth in the form of rain; by the gradual sinking of the ancient lands and the upheaval of the primary sea-beds. The rushing water, with awful power, must have swept away the soils and forests of the ancient. lands, torn up vast masses of the primary rocks, which, together with the remains of the animal kingdom, afforded ample materials for the carboniferous, secondary, and tertiary formations. These materials must have been deposited with extraordinary rapidity during the prevalence of the waters. 5. There must of course be taken into this plan, the vast and wide-spread effects of volcanic action and the changes produced by running water; which secondary causes must have been in operation since the morning of creation. We do not pretend to affirm that this outline, in the present state of geological science, can be so filled up, as that in every particular it will completely coincide with all those things which are said to be geological facts. But we venture to predict this statement, though with all deference to the eminent men who lead in Geology, that the time is coming, when all antagonism will cease between Scripture and Geology, and the most obvious and literal import of the Mosaic narrative will be found to agree with every established geological fact. An additional reason why we should be careful how we depart from the Mosaic account, is, that geologists have given no rational and uniform system of interpretation which has the sanction of settled authority. The writings of geologists show, that their modes of explaining the Mosaic narrative are not only various, but that they contradict each other, though they are professedly based on geological facts. As an illustration of this position, the following instance is offered. Professor Silliman interprets the days of Moses as synonymous with a succession of long ages, during which the crust of the earth received its arrangement. He thinks it necessary thus to interpret those days, in order to make the sacred narrative coincide with geological phenomena.31 He does not pretend to decide how long those periods were; though one other geologist, at least, defines them to be periods of six thousand years each. Dr. Buckland, who is equally eminent with Professor Silliman, dissents from this interpretation. He says, when speaking of the theory of indefinite periods: "It has been asserted that the order of succession of the organic remains of a former world, accords with the order of creation recorded in Genesis. This assertion, though to a certain degree, apparently correct, is not entirely supported by geological facts; since it appears that the most ancient marine animals occur in the same division of the lowest transition strata with the earliest remains of vegetables; so that the evidence of organic remains, as far as it goes, shows the origin of plants and animals to have been cotemporaneous." 32 This fact is fatal to the theory of successive periods of long duration; for, according to that theory, instead of plants and animals being cotemporaneous, it should be made to appear from Geology, that no animals of the sea were created until the fifth, nor animals of the land until the sixth period. Accordingly, the theory of Dr. Buckland is far different from that of Professor Silliman. He thinks that between the creation spoken of in the first verse of the Mosaic narrative, and the present arrangement of the earth's surface, long and indefinite ages elapsed; during which the various strata were formed, and the various races of animal life whose remains are imbedded in those strata, lived, died, and became extinct; and that the surface of the earth was reärranged after these events, in six literal days, for its present forms of organic existence. Now, to say nothing of those theories which differ from these two-to say nothing of the fact that some geologists think it impossible to reconcile Geology and Scripture-we inquire, though we have heretofore expressed confidence in the theory of Dr. Buckland,33 Which of the systems of interpretation presented by these eminent men, shall we adopt? Both profess to be based on geological facts, and yet both cannot be true. If geologists offered one uniform system of interpretation, the subject would have a very different aspect from what 31 Appendix to Bakewell's Geology, p. 539, and onward. it now wears. But as their theories are various and contradictory, is it not better to adhere to the literal import of the Mosaic narrative, than to be continually fluctuating in opinion with every new hypothesis of geologists? Especially when Dr. Buckland has frankly stated: "It must be candidly admitted, that the season has not yet arrived, when a perfect theory of the whole earth can be fixedly and finally established, since we have not yet before us all the facts on which such a theory may eventually be founded." 11 34 We have now finished what we intended to say of this subject. Our principal object in writing, is not dogmatically to affirm any particular system of scriptural interpretation, so much as to convince the reader, that while geological theories are as various and contradictory as those concerning other subjects, it is unsafe to make any geological hypothesis the rule of interpreting the Scriptures; for though that hypothesis may professedly be founded on facts, yet it may finally be resolved into a mere inference, which strict scrutiny will show to be unsustained by the very facts upon which it leans for support. We remark, in conclusion, that the foregoing considerations will be misunderstood, if the reader shall suppose that we entertain even a remote hostility against Geology as a science. We cherish profound reverence for it; for we feel completely satisfied that all its facts are of great importance, not only to the welfare and progress of society, but in their perfect agreement with revealed truth. And though we have learned to distrust the speculations of geologists, yet in the facts which they have gathered to form the noble science itself, we discover overwhelming exhibitions of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God. "The earth from her deep foundations unites with the celestial orbs that roll through boundless space, to declare the glory and show forth the praise of their common Author and Preserver; and the voice of natural religion accords harmoniously with the testimonies of revelation, in ascribing the origin of the universe to the will of one eternal and dominant Intelligence, the Almighty Lord, and supreme first cause of all things that subsist." 9 35 G. W. M. 34 Buckland's Bridgewater Treatise, vol. i. p. 20. 35 Ibid, vol. i. p. 443. ART. II. The Blind Girl. CROWN her with garlands! mid her sunny hair And queenly rose that blossoms for a day. Bring forth the lyre of sweet and solemn sound, Joy for the lovely! that her lips no more To notes of sorrow tune their trembling breath; Joy for the young! whose starless course is o'er,Iö! sing pæeans for the Bride of Death! She seeth now! She has been dark; through all the weary years, And voiceless prayers that light at length might come. A lonely lot! yet oftentimes a sad And mournful pleasure filled her heart and brain, And beamed in smiles,-e'er sweet, but never glad,― As sorrow smiles, when morning winds complain. Nature's great voice had ever, for her soul, A thrilling power the sightless only know; Strike the soft harp, then! for the cloud hath passed, Beauty hath met her waiting eyes at last, 'Neath the cool shadows of the tree of life, Where bright the fount of youth immortal springs, Far from this earth, with all its weary strife, Her pale brow fanned by shining seraph's wings, Ah, yes, she seeth! through yon misty veil, That strangely swells when none awake its chords. She seeth now! C. M. S. ART. III. Historical Sketch of Painting. PAINTING is not merely an imitative art. It has higher claims to our notice than the satisfaction of a vulgar fancy, of a curiosity which is pleased alike at every novelty; equally delighted with a feat upon the tight rope, a wonderful achievement of the Chinese juggler Yangtsi, or the astonishing likeness of the late celebrated General Thomson. We repeat, that Painting has a higher merit than the mere servile initation of nature, beautiful though that nature be when looked upon with the eye of taste and feeling. To the true artist, the forms of being, animate and inanimate, are but the medium through which he searches to reach that inner spirit which pervades all things around, above, and below. The charm which clothes the glowing landscape will never be caught by him who sees nought but skies and forests, fields and hills and floods, though the former be bright as Italy's own, the latter varied and beautiful as the Elysium of the poet's fiction. There is a soul within their boundaries which he can neither feel nor perceive, and amidst the labor of his pencil, the spirit which animated the whole has vanished from his presence. The brow adorned with intellect will never by him be shadowed forth on canvass with counterfeit presentment, for he has no power to call forth reason and imagination to light up the tabernacle of the soul. He may give forth, |