The genius of Werner, of De Saussure, and of Cuvier, laid the
foundations on which Geology now rests. They gave us the first glimpse
of the fauna and flora of the earlier ages of our planet. Professor
Jameson soon saw that these investigations would also lead to much
curious information in regard to the former physical and geographical
distribution of plants and animals; and to the changes which the
animated world in general, and particular genera and species, have
undergone, and probably are still undergoing; and he would naturally be
led to speculate on the changes that must have taken place in the
climate of the globe during these various changes and revolutions. The
writings of Blumenbach, Von Hoff, Cuvier, Brongniart, Steffens, and
other naturalists, are proofs of what has been done by following up the
views of Werner. Ami Boué, speaking of the services Professor Jameson
has rendered to science, says: “He has spread valuable working pupils
all over the world, and he was the electric spark which originated the
beginning of true geology in Great Britain.”
It is not much more than seventy years since Bishop Watson, a man of
no mean abilities and of no slight distinction, turned the science
of geology into open ridicule. He said that the geologists who
attempted to speculate on the internal formation of the globe
reminded him only of a gnat which might be perched upon the
shoulders of an elephant, and might, by the reach of its tiny
puncture, affect to tell him what was the whole internal structure
of the majestic animal below.[77] Listen now to the language of an
eminent man of the present day, Sir David Brewster, on the same
great subject: “How interesting must it be to study such
phenomena—to escape for a while from the works of man—to go back to
primeval times, and learn how its Maker moulded the earth—how He
wore down the primitive mass into the strata of its present
surface—how He deposited the precious metals in its bowels—how He
filled it with races of living animals, and again buried them in its
depths, to chronicle the steps of creative power—how He covered its
surface with its fruit-bearing soil, and spread out the waters of
the deep as the great highway of nations, to unite into one
brotherhood the different races of his creatures, and to bless them
by the interchange of their produce and their affections!” And
again, referring to the discoveries of the great Cuvier in connexion
with geology, he says: “In thus deciphering the handwriting of
nature on her tablets of stone, the same distinguished naturalist
discovered that all organised beings were not created at the same
period. In the commissariat of Providence the stores were provided
before the arrival of the host that was to devour them. Plants were
created before animals, the molluscous fishes next appeared, then
the reptiles, and last of all the mammiferous quadrupeds completed
the scale of animal life.” Such are the terms in which able men now
refer to geological science.[78]
Fortunately, the science of Geology is an eminently popular one. The
arguments which go to establish its leading doctrines require no long
course of previous study to make them intelligible, and its professors,
in this country at least, have been no way disposed to confine their
teaching to the sanctuaries of learning. Wherever an audience can be
gathered together, some eminent geologist is always ready to discourse
for the benefit of the gentiles of science, who have rewarded their
instructors by a larger share of popularity than is generally bestowed
on the professors of other branches of physical knowledge. The
consequence is, that a smattering of Geology is now very generally
diffused amongst the upper and middle classes in this country—an
excellent thing in itself, since even a smattering of natural science
helps to enlarge and elevate the mind, but sometimes inconvenient,
because few learn enough to get a correct idea of the extent of their
own ignorance as compared with the smallness of their knowledge. In the
interest of science, the main point to be gained is that, out of the
large number who approach the threshold, a sufficient number should be
induced to enter into her service, and that each of these should find
work fit for his strength and his special faculties. Measured in this
way, the progress of Geology seems to be sufficiently satisfactory.[79]
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Footnote 77:
Mr. Watson, among other qualities, which certainly contributed to his
advancement in life, possessed a happy confidence in himself, and an
opinion of his own fitness for any situation to which he should think
proper to aspire, though totally destitute at the time of every
qualification requisite to the discharge of its functions. On the 19th
of November 1764, he informs us, “I was unanimously elected by the
Senate, assembled in full congregation, Professor of Chemistry. At the
time this honour was conferred upon me _I knew nothing at all of
chemistry_; had never read a syllable on the subject, nor seen a
single experiment in it.”—_Quarterly Review_, vol. xviii. p. 233.
Footnote 78:
Sir John Pakington, M.P.
Footnote 79:
_Saturday Review._
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