University of Virginia Library

“The volumes before us are every way worthy of their subject. It would
seem almost supererogatory to pass any judgment on the style of a writer
so celebrated as Dr. Chalmers. He is well known as a logician not to be
baffled by any difficulties; as one who boldly grapples with his theme, and
brings every energy of his clear and nervous intellect into the field. No
sophistry escapes his eagle vision—no argument that could either enforce
or illustrate his subject is left untouched. Our literature owes a deep debt
of gratitude to the author of these admirable volumes.”

“It is ably written, and replete both with interest and instruction. The
diffusion of such works cannot fail to be attended with the happiest effects
in justifying `the ways of God to man,' and illustrating the wisdom and
goodness of the Creator by arguments which appeal irresistibly both to the
reason and feelings. Few can understand abstract reasoning, and still fewer
relish it, or will listen to it: but in this work the purest morality and the
kindliest feelings are inculcated through the medium of agreeable and useful
information.”

"In the present treatise, it is a matter of the warmest satisfaction to find
an anatomist of Sir Charles Bell's great eminence, professing his contempt
for the late fashionable doctrines of Materialism held by so many anatomists,
and now coming forward to present the fruits of his wide researches
and great ability, in a treatise so full of curious and interesting matter,
expressly intended to prove, by the examination of one particular point,
that design which is impressed on all parts of the various animals which
in some degree answer the purposes of the hand, and has shown that the
hand is not the source of contrivance, nor consequently of man's superiority,
as some materialists have maintained. To this he has added some
very valuable remarks, showing the uses of pain, and he has illustrated
this work with a variety of the most admirable and interesting wood
cuts."

"The manner in which he has executed his task is able and satisfactory.
With great and extensive experimental knowledge, and a complete acquaintance
with his subject, as well as just and elevated views of the greatness
and divine nature of the Creator, he has brought one of the most
powerful chains of reasoning to the support of Revelation which philosophy
has yet added to that holy cause."

"Let works like that before us be widely disseminated, and the bold, active,
and ingenious enemies of religion be met by those, equally sagacious,
alert and resolute, and the most timid of the many who depend upon the
few, need not fear the host that comes with subtle steps to 'steal their faith
away.'"

"That the devoted spirit of the work is most exemplary, that we have
here and there found, or fancied, room for cavil, only peradventure because
we have been unable to follow the author through the prodigious
range of his philosophical survey—and in a word, that the work before us
would have made the reputation of any other man, and may well maintain
even that of Professor Whewell."

"We have read this work (Buckland's Geology, &c.) with a degree of
satisfaction and admiration which has increased at every step.

"It is a full digest of the most important facts in geology, happily combined,
with great condensation and perspicuity, and by the most liberal use
of plates beautifully executed, it speaks intelligibly to the eyes, even of
those who are not familiar with the language of natural history, and thus
it displays the astonishing structure of the world.

"The great moral demonstration which is its main object, is fully sustained,
and we think that no man can rise from the intelligent perusal of it,
without a full conviction that a creating and governing mind, infinite in
power, knowledge, wisdom and benevolence, has gradually arranged the
materials of this planet, and caused to be interred in its strata and mineral
masses, documents of its history, and of that of innumerable races of animals
and plants, from the most microscopic to the most collosal, which
lived and died ere man appeared—documents surpassing in number and in
credibility every thing of actual history, except the inspired record itself.

"With this record we believe these facts to be entirely consistent, and
we are fully assured that ignorance of them is the sole cause of the incredulity
and displeasure which are manifested by some as to the moral bearing
of geology.

"We cannot now enter upon this argument, and can only say, in conclusion,
that Dr. Buckland has, by the present work, laid both science and
religion under great obligations,—while he will delight all his readers by
the vigour, beauty and eloquence which gives his work as high a rank in
literature as it claims in science."