more remote, first make himself a little acquainted with those nigh home, we shall, previous to extending our researches to more distant bounds, first indulge ourselves with a cursory glance at the lowest compartment of the vast edifice, by taking a view of the internal structure of our globe, and see what commodities there present themselves for our use and accommodation.

CHAP. II.

THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH.

Thus in thy world material, MiGhty Mind,

Not only that which solaces and shines,

The rough, the gloomy, challenges our praise!

The treasures of the mineral kingdom, being more concealed, are not so alluring to the senses and are of course, to most men, less interesting than animals or vegetables; but they present themselves to the reflecting mind under innumerable points of view that are interesting, chiefly as affording the materials on which nature, by her slow but certain operations, is continually producing changes that tend to augment the multiplication of plants, for the preservation and the accommodation of animals; while man, in the mean while, is endowed with faculties which enable him to avail himself of the qualities they possess for his own purposes.

When we penetrate the dark and subterraneous magazine of Nature, we find veins fraught with the richest Metals; from hence comes that which gives value to the monarch's crown, and weight to his sceptre; which, formed into coins, gives energy and life to traffic, rewards the toils of labour, and puts it in the power of the affluent to warm the bosom of adversity, and make the widow and the orphan sing for joy, or, beaten out into an inconceivable thinness, is made to cover with a transcendant lustre some of the coarest of nature's productions, and render them ornamental in the palace of the great.

Here also is laid up the pale brightness of the Silver, which, formed into a variety of domestic utensils, sets off with peculiar lustre the choicest dainties of the rich man's table; and here is found the ponderous Lead, from which the cool and clean cistern is formed, as well as those convenient and safe aqueducts, by which the useful element of water is conveyed into the very hearts of our dwellings. Here too are stores of Copper and Tin, by which sundry utensils, formed of the former metal, are rendered more safe and fit for use: and here do we find in profuse abundance Mines, whose contents, although they may not be reckoned of equal value, have been found to be more beneficial in their services to man, than any of those already mentioned. Iron furnishes the mechanic, the artist, and the labourer with their most useful implements and tools; by Iron the farmer is enabled to tear up the most stubborn soil; Iron secures our dwellings from the

midnight thief, and confines, by its massy bars, the disturber of our peace to his gloomy cell; by means of Iron, the vessel tossed with tempest is firmly attached to a place of safety, or prevented from being broken up by the raging elements, when overtaken by a storm in the midst of the watery waste.

In these dark vaults are also found that subtle, insinuating metal, Quicksilver, which so much re sembles a fluid; the uses of which in philosophy and medicine, are so well known, as well as its importance in various arts and sciences.

From hence, also, are extracted a multitude of Mineral Salts and Saline Substances, together with a variety of Sulphureous bodies. The astringent Alum, the green Borax, the volatile Nitre, the blue Vitrol of Hungary and Cyprus, the green of Ger⚫ many and Italy, the shining Bismuth, the glittering Antimony, the brown-coloured Cinnabar, the white Chalk, have all an origin in these dark apartments; as also that truly invaluable black inflammatory substance Coal, which ministers to our comfort in the room, presents its services in the kitchen, assists the chemist and philosopher in their experiments, renders the work of the artist more easy, transforms the coarest materials into transparency itself, by which means the light of day is admitted into our dwellings, while the cold inclemency of the weather, is excluded-the astronomer is enabled to extend his researches to worlds before invisible to mortal eye-the naturalist to observe the minutia of creation-and the feeble eyes of old age furnished with

new and invigorating powers.-From hence also is derived that wonderful mineral, whose magnetic quality guides the mariner, with unerring precision, beyond the pillars of Hercules, and enables him to find his solitary way across the pathless deep.

Here also in these dark recesses are conveniently laid up, a variety of strata of Stones, and beds of Fossils; and' hence derive their origin a number of valuable Jewels and transparent Gems, as well as the firm and compact Marble, the Alabaster, the Porphyry, and the hard pellucid Flint.

Here are to be found those quarries of Stones, from which are constructed secure and comfortable dwellings for man and beast-by which the arms of the pier are strengthened to repel the surges of the sea-the rampart is raised above the basis nature had formed our property secured from the depredations of intruders the arched bridge thrown. across the broad and rapid stream, and the stupendous aqueduct carried over the deep-sunk glen.

Here too are deposited a variety of curious Fossils and extraneous substances, which bafle the wisdom. of the wise, and puzzle the reasoning of the naturalist to account for: and here are those vast layers or strata of earth, in all their variety, whose nature and uses are more apparent-where the vegetable kingdom derives its support and nutriment, the trees of the forest spread their wide extended roots, and the tender herb and flower of the field takes hold of the dust; where the pliable worm forces itself quietly along, the mole finds its darksome way, the foxes

have holes, and the coreys burrow themselves. Here is that tough tenacious species of earth, which administers its services to man in such a variety of shapes, and acts as a substitute for other commodities in situations where nature has denied them. Are some in want of stones for building? Clay, by undergoing a process, becomes firm and hard, to withstand the most rigid blasts of winter. Are there no Slate quarries in the neighbourhood? Clay, in the shape of Tiles, forms an excellent substitute. Are we in want of Lead for pipes to convey our water from a distance? Clay comes seasonably to our aid. In short, by this mean looking, dirty, and despised substance, we are abundantly supplied with a great variety of utensils and vessels, neat in their structure, cleanly in the use, and though cheap in the purchase, extremely valuable in point of utility. Here are also, commodiously lodged, a variety of other useful earths, which it would encroach too much on our limits to attempt to enumerate. These, with an innumerable variety of other useful and valuable materials, of which those we have mentioned may be considered as only a specimen, are safely locked up by PROVIDENCE in this great storehouse of Nature, and the key given to Industry to take out and apply as necessity may require, or circumstances direct; and in the disposition of which we may be at a loss what most to admire, the bounty of the Creator, in thus so largely making provision for our numerous wants, or his wisdom in placing them at such convenient distances below the