CONCLUSION OF PETROLEUM.
This may seem a hasty and unsatisfactory conclusion of one of the most important subjects of this work,—one which perhaps we ought to have commenced with; and were we to rewrite the book such would be the order in which we should arrange the subjects, since petroleum naturally precedes coal, and should receive the first attention. Many of our readers, who are more interested in oil than coal or iron, may be dis appointed at this abrupt termination, without any reference to the practical operations of boring for and producing oil. We can only plead that our limits have been greatly exceeded, and we are now forced to a conclusion nolens volens.
In discussing the subject of petroleum, however, we have kept off the beaten ground of other writers, and have presented it in such a manner as may lead to a correct appre ciation of this comparatively new source of our mineral wealth, and its economical and practical development; while the many facts in relation to the hydro-carbons, so clearly demonstrated in that portion of this work devoted to the formation and origin of coal, prove the correctness of our otherwise theoretical conclusions, and present unmistakable evidence of the identical origin of COAL AND COAL-OIL.
With a few brief words we must conclude this, the principal part of our work, and reserve for the APPENDIX our statistical tables, descriptions of mines, and such other information as require frequent alterations from annual additions and changes. The main portion of the book, or 674 pages, is in electrotyped plates; but the APPENDIX is not electrotyped.
In concluding our long and arduous labors, we feel inclined to recapitulate and present an epitome of the subjects discussed; but fear to do injustice to both ourselves and our readers, since the whole work is condensed and concise, and nothing less than a revision of the whole would present a fair or just compendium.
A partial or minute statement would convey but an indefinite idea of the book, while even a brief synopsis would occupy more room than we can now spare. We would therefore respectfully refer to our Preface, Table of Contents, and concluding Index of Subjects, as the best epitome we can present. Every subject will be found under its appropriate head and in the order of their occurrence.
The VOLCANIC THEORY herein advanced will give a new and, we hope, a correct starting-point to the science of geology. We have always thought the main theories of the science to have been conceived in error by modern sophists and infidels, who invented them as arguments against the truth of revelation and the Bible. Even those who have battled manfully and successfully for the truth seem to have accepted the theories framed by its adversaries, and sought no other guide to the NATURAL PROCESSES of Creation.
We cannot resist quoting the words of an old and celebrated Cornish miner, whose implicit faith in the truth of revelation made him its staunch defender and a powerful opponent to its revilers. We do not endorse all his sentiments, nor embrace his sweep ing denunciations of geology and geologists; but we do think, as he did, that the science was not only conceived in falsehood, but against the truth, by the enemies of religion, and that it has been developed under all the difficulties of the original error. The
science itself we consider the grandest study open to the human mind, and its great masters, who have elucidated so many wonderful truths from its dark arcana, are en titled to our highest respect and admiration. Nevertheless, our voice is given against the errors of infidelity, whether adopted by geologists or the teachers of men; for we believe that the WORKS of CREATION will agree with the WORD of GOD.
"Permit us to inquire what benefit mining has received from all the writings, lectures, societies, premiums, researches, and labors of our large body of theoretical geologists ? If I am wrong, please to set me right; but, I declare, I know not a single instance where any good has emanated from their exertions, to the value of a swabbing-stick! All the progress made in the discovery and working of mines has been without their help ; the ancient methods of detecting or identifying a metallic vein by shodes, gossans, mineral waters, gases, &c. have received no improvement from them, although we are persuaded that a fine field for art and science is still open here; for, as nature always works by general laws, we believe that if all the indications which attend a rich metallic vein could be detected, that mining would not be so much a speculation as it is at present. But what can be the cause that such a large body of talented men, devoted to the sub ject, ambitious to excel, and 'with all appliances and means to boot,' should be thus notoriously useless and unprofitable? Now, Mr. Editor, allow me to observe that theology should ever be the basis of geology. This, sir, is the grand cause why the efforts of our geological societies have utterly failed: they have set themselves against the truth, they have rejected the inspired history of the creation of the world; hence their writings and sayings are replete with error, inconsistency, and contradiction.
"Let them begin again, cancel what they have written, and lay their foundation on the sublime account given us in the Scriptures. Then let them follow Nature in all her grand and stupendous subterranean operations, and they will discover a world of har monious wonders, and will bring to light, to the admiration and benefit of mankind, the cause and effect of the magnificent order of every part of creation that is allowed to fall under the inspection of man.
"I shall be borne out in stating my firm conviction that no skeptic ever made a good geologist; and, whatever those men may think of themselves who dare to write in con tradiction to the Word which the Creator has graciously condescended to bestow on his creatures, they are no better than practical atheists in the judgment of all men 'who believe and know the truth,' and their writings are calculated to inflict a serious injury on society and sap the foundations of Christian faith."*