e appearances which in the
rocks, the veins, and solid stones, give such evident, such universal
testimony of the power of fire, in bringing bodies into fusion, or
introducing fluidity, the necessary prelude to solidity and concretion.

Those various powers of nature have thus been employed in the theory, to
explain things which commonly appear; or rather, it is from things which
universally appear that causes have been concluded, upon scientific
principles, for those effects. A system is thus formed, in generalising
all those different effects, or in ascribing all those particular
operations to a general end. This end, the subject of our understanding,
is then to be considered as an object of design; and, in this design, we
may perceive, either wisdom, so far as the ends and means are properly
adapted, or benevolence, so far as that system is contrived for the
benefit of beings who are capable of suffering pain and pleasure, and of
judging good and evil.

But, in this physical dissertation, we are limited to consider the
manner in which things present have been made to come to pass, and not
to inquire concerning the moral end for which those things may have been
calculated. Therefore, in pursuing this object, I am next to examine
facts, with regard to the mineralogical part of the theory, from which,
perhaps, light may be thrown upon the subject; and to endeavour to
answer objections, or solve difficulties, which may naturally occur from
the consideration of particular appearances.

END OF VOLUME SECOND.

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by James Hutton

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