fossil strata, the remains of the animals, &c. are far more imperfect than those that are discovered nearer the surface.

One most perfect conclusion to be drawn from the study of this science, and which must not be overlooked, is, that in the fossil remains of animals continually discovered, no human bones have ever been found, although Buckland, and many other professors, state, that these animal remains are unquestionably the effects of the great universal deluge :—but in opposition to this, allow me to put this reasoning-Why involve in one common ruin all the animals, &c. even in countries where mankind, the offending party, did not exist? consequently no reason can exist why those animals should be destroyed or annihilated, as those who are called criminal and vile men did not exist amongst them. Mr. Buckland makes an open and candid admission, that, from the number and extent of these remains, the animals unquestionably existed in great numbers in the countries where such relics are found; but he will go no further in elucidating the question, that, as the major part of these animals are those that only can inhabit the torrid zone, how came they to be in our cold and northern climate?-The explanation of this would be to upset the greater part of his conclusions, as it must bring forward an astronomical calculation with regard to the certain revolutions and positions of our planet—and its real existence for millions of years:-and of which fact there are, indeed, most important evidences.

This science also proves that all parts of the globe have been more or less subject to the action of fire. Strata of lava and scoria are continually met with by miners; and, in many instances, they are even near the surface. It is also worthy of remark, that most of the lodes or veins of the different metals appear to have been in a state of fusion.

The important fact, that it is ascertained there are upwards of 200 volcanoes in operation in different parts of our globe, must prove, I think, that it proceeds from some fixed and permanent principle, with which we are at present but little acquainted.

I shall next venture to recommend to your notice the science of chemistry, to possess a knowledge of which is highly beneficial, as by it we are made acquainted with the properties of matter, and the relations of particles with each other, and their respective combinations, whether in an ærial form, as gas or light-a calorific form, as in fire-an aqueous form, as in water. My time will not permit me to go far into illustrations of this science, but its vital importance to ourselves, and all those by whom we are surrounded, should induce us to pay particular attention to the acquiring at least the simple principles of it-the compound principles more particularly come under the cognizance of the philosopher in his closet. As relates to ourselves, nothing is of more consequence than to allow a free current of atmospheric air to our rooms, &c.—the oxygen, or that part which purifies,

and is the life-giving or supporting part, amounts to 22 parts in each 100, 77 of nitrogen or azote; of this, our system imbibes a portion every time we respire, which is proved by many conclusive experiments.

I will now revert to the universal chemical influences with which all nature is replete, and state, that matter is continually acting and re-acting in all its component parts, so that composition and decomposition is always going on. The different modifications of matter produce the spirit or alcohol, the steam, the flame, &c.; but all these are merely matter in another form; and when dissolved by their action into air, they, from time to time, take other combinations, according to circumstances. I shall endeavour to illustrate this position by some familiar explanations : -take a piece of linen, or handkerchief, that has been fully saturated with water, and place it in the sun-beam-in a short time it becomes dry, that is, the aqueous particles with which it was saturated, are evaporated or lost in appearance, but not so in reality; they are absorbed by the atmosphere, and a new combination of circumstances would again produce the same effect.I have lately particularly noticed the effect of a cold current of air against a warmer, and the result invariably is a new formation of moisture to a very considerable degree. From such observations, simple as they may seem, I carry the operation, by comparison, into the atmosphere surrounding us, and, by analogy, conclude that the different currents of air which we know exist in the atmosphere, may, by their action upon each other, produce precisely the same results; and hence the utility of the climate within the arctic and antarctic circle-the streams from them meeting with a current differently attenuated, produce a chemical change, and hence the descent of rain; precisely as we observe the drops upon a decanter of cold water when brought up into a warm room.

Another important principle in chemistry, is the peculiar effects produced by friction. So important indeed do they appear to me, that I found upon them many of the phenomena we continually witness; even the heat which appears to come direct from the Sun, I consider, is produced by this operation. Allow me to explain my meaning :

Observing the common electrical machine to be possessed of no peculiar properties, when in a quiescent state, and that when in a rapid revolution only are its properties excited, I then, by analogy, reason thus :-may not the double motion of the earth in its orbit round the Sun, and on its axis, have a similar effect in generating heat? That some such effect is produced, is quite clear, for we know the nearer the Sun, the colder the temperature. In corroboration of this hypothesis, I will call your attention to an appearance, which most of you have witnessed. On looking over a field, at a distance, towards a hedge or any object

immediately on the ground, you perceive a wavy motion in the air, when the sun shines out full upon that and the surrounding objects; may not this also account for the greater degree of heat between the tropics, as that part of the globe revolves so much more rapid on its axis than those parts situated nearer the poles ? The revolution of any globe will convince you of this fact. I could pursue this subject, but as I have not time to touch on botany, anatomy and many other branches, a knowledge of which must produce the happiest results to ourselves and all surrounding us.

Truly has the poet said of philosophy, that it is

Not harsh nor crabbed as dull fools suppose,

But musical as is Apollo's lute;

And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets.

Where no rude surfeits reign.

I have recently met with a work of Dr. Arnott's, which contains a section under the head "Life"-so much in unison with my ideas, that shall conclude this address with it.

"The most complicated state in which matter exists, is where, under the influence of life, it forms bodies with a curious internal structure of tubes and cavities, in which fluids are moving and producing incessant internal change. These are called organized bodies, because of the various organs which they contain; and they form two remarkable classes, the individuals of one of which are fixed to the soil, and are called vegetables; and of the other, are endowed with power of locomotion, and are called animals. The phenomena of growth, decay, death, sensation, selfmotion, and many others belong to life, but from occurring in material structures which subsist in obedience to the laws of physics and chemistry, the life is truly a superstructure on the other two, and cannot be studied independently of them. Indeed, the greater part of the phenomena of organic life, are merely chemical and physical phenomena, modified by an additional principle. The phenomena of life from thus involving generally the agency of all the sets of laws, are by far the most complex of any; and the discovery or detection of the peculiar laws of life, although these are as fixed as the laws of physics or chemistry, has been very slow, and is yet far from being completed. We cannot as yet explain, why the individuals of animal and vegetable classes live only for a limited time; why offspring inherit peculiarities of health or disease from the parents; why the va rious species continue distinct, &c. But many powerful minds of the present day, particularly among medical men, whom it chiefly concerns, are directed to the subject, and important results may be looked for. A vast number of facts have now been carefully observed and recorded, and to a certain degree classified, and perhaps some master-genius may soon arise, to show that a very few simple truths connect the whole, as Newton showed with

respect to the inferior classification in physics, when he detected the general laws of inertia and gravity. The science of life is divided into animal and vegetable physiology."

A long and very interesting discussion ensued, in which one gentleman asserted the immortality of man, upon the principle of the Bosquetian Creed, another strenuously asserted the propriety of the vulgar theory of intelligent god, spirit, immateriality, &c., as directives of matter; and a third, that all the principles of science in relation to matter, are original, and not derived from any extraneous power or principle.

[The following list of very important questions is now being sent about the metropolis, in the form of a note, by some unknown hand.]

A LIST OF QUESTIONS * Proposed to Professors of Theology for Discussion and Solution, and to all other Parties interested, for their serious Consideration.

A perusal will show that the questions have reference only to what is called Natural Theology. But, lest the object should be mistaken, it is premised, as a necessary condition, that they be considered, discussed, and solved, without reference to the Holy Scriptures.

They who already stand in the sun, need not be told where the light is. It would evidently be illogical, as well as an useless labour, to assume that as a foundation of the argument which is involved in the conclusion; but if the questions be accepted in the spirit they are presented, much advantage may result to the darkened and the doubtful by their free discussion.

LIST OF QUESTIONS.

1. How can it be shown that supreme universal power has a consciousness of the principles of its own operations?

2. How can it be shown that supreme universal power has a consciousness of every grand, every minute, every intermediate, and final result of the principles of its own operations?

3. If supreme universal power has an individual consciousness, what are the reasons which should induce a belief of a particular communication between that power and individual man?

4. When a statement is offered as such communication, or as the result of such communication, to what test or tests should it be subjected?

5. What is inspiration?

6. What is a miracle?

7. What proof should be required for miracles?

* London, 1828. Printed for private circulation only.

8. What are the grounds for anticipating a future state?

9. What should induce a belief that a future state will be for rewards and punishments?

10. What are the proofs of man being in a fallen state?

11. If man is in a fallen state, what are the proofs of the necessity of a mediator?

12. What is justification with respect to sin?

HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

[In the article of this Correspondent, there is too much credit given to the historical pretensions of the Jew books. We have no authentic history of the Jews beyond finding them at Babylon.-R. C.]

Ir is certain that the Jewish nation is the most singular that the world has ever seen; and although, in a political view, the most contemptible of all, yet, in the eyes of a philosopher, it is, on various accounts, worthy consideration,

The Guebres, the Banians, and the Jews, are the only nations which exist dispersed, having no alliance with any people, are perpetuated among foreign nations, and continue apart from the rest of the world. The Guebres were once infinitely more considerable than the Jews, for they are castes of the Persians, who had the Jews under their dominion, but they are now scattered over but one part of the east. The Banians, who are descended from the ancient people amongst whom Pythagoras acquired his philosophy, exist only in India and Persia.

Almost every people who have written the history of the Jews, have chosen to set off its origin by prodigies; with them all has been miracle; their oracles have predicted nothing but conquest, and such of them as have really become conquerors, have had no difficulty in believing these ancient oracles, which were verified by the event. These oracles have a hundred times foretold to them, that they should be masters of the whole world; yet they have never possessed anything more than a small corner of land, and that only for a small number of years, and they have not now so much as a village of their own. They must then believe, and they do

It has been pretended that the dispersion of the Jews had been foretold, as a punishment for their refusing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Messiah; the asserters affecting to forget they had been dispersed throughout the known world long before Jesus Christ. The books that are left us of this singular nation, make no mention of a return of the ten tribes transported beyond the Euphrates by Teglat Phalasar and his successor Salmanaser; and it was six hundred years after, that Cyrus sent back to Jerusalem the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which Nabuchodonosor had brought away into the provinces of his empire. The Acts of the Apostles say, that fiftythree days after the assumed death of Jesus Christ there were Jews from every nation under heaven assembled for the feast of Pentecost. St. James writes to the twelve dispersed tribes. What becomes then of the boasted prophecy, “that the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come?"