sented creation, in the abstract, as an energy exerted irrespectively of the circumstances of finite existence. The appropriation of the Hebrew 7, as designative of this peculiar act, throughout the Mosaic scriptures, was considered in correspondence with the usages of its analogous terms in the Classical languages: from which an evidence was deduced of superior acuteness amongst the Sacred writers in general, in their conceptions relative to the above-mentioned doctrine.

The Fifth lecture embraced the following topics: the greater degree of precision and clearness afforded to us in Scripture respecting the truths of moral, than there is in the instance of those of natural, science: a demonstration of the reasonableness of this disparity: a rule of investigation arising out of it, defining and modifying the extent of the evidence, which we have proposed to found on its philosophical accuracy, of the inspiration of the Mosaic Record: a general view of the arrangement of events in the demiurgic week: its propriety in a philosophical sense: considerations relative to Genes. i. 2,...a text regarded as enunciative of a series of epochs in the mineral records of our planet, each attended by specific changes in the several kingdoms of nature,...in connection with which the probable imports of certain of its terms were defined, on the basis of a sufficiently extensive induction, and offered as confirmative of this view.

The result of all appeared to warrant the persuasion, that the connection of the announcements of this verse with natural science admits of being extended beyond geognostical phænomena. The details of this relation occupied the remainder of the discourse.

Such are the principal topics of the series now of fered to public notice. The actual number of Lectures delivered was ten, exceeding by four that required by

the conditions of appointment. For this the Lecturer had to urge in his behalf the growing magnitude and importance of his subject, to which it was found more difficult to fix limits than to add materials.

The number contained in the present Volume exceeds by one that specified in the subjoined resolution, as qualifying for a certain claim. The additional lecture has been added, to serve in some measure as an example of the application of principles, which were laid down in the two preceding; as also to introduce some of the most important clauses of the Mosaic record to the consideration of the reader. In these, as in all its other details, the author is well aware of the difficulties which beset the inquirer; arising chiefly out of the conflicting sentiments entertained, not merely by the adversaries, but by the supporters of Revelation. He has laboured to attain the simplicity of exposition, which has been but too often sacrificed by the one, and to obviate the palpable misconstructions, which have been imposed on the Sacred text by the other. As to the reception of his labours by either, he avows but little concern, farther than regards the advancement of truth; and concludes, by directing the attention of the former to the important charge which is placed at the head of the introductory lecture, and the latter to a different source, from which they will learn that, οὔτε ποιητής, οὔτε συγγραφεὺς, οὔτε ἄλλος τεχνίτης οὐδεὶς παραγγελίας τινὸς λογικής, δύο ναται πᾶσι τοῖς ἀναγινώσκουσι κατὰ πᾶν εὐαρεστῆσαι· θνητῇ δὲ φύσει, κἄν ὅλως ἐπιτετευγμένη γένηται, οὐ δυνατὸν ἐφικέσθαι τῆς ἀμέμπτου πάντων εὐαρεστήσεως. ἐστὶ γάρ τινα τῶν ἀνθρώπων φιλόφθονα, καὶ μικρόσοφα, τὰ παραπέμποντα μὲν τὰ καλῶς ἔχοντα τῶν ἐπιτελεσθέν των, προσπλεκόμενα δὲ τοῖς ἐπιδεχομένοις διαστροφήν τινα καὶ πιο θανὴν μέμψιν (1).

(a) The reasoning here appears not a little unsafe, which extends the application of St. Augustine's expressions concerning the philosophical

systems of his time, to those of the present period: an oversight of the same kind with that which we have remarked in the case of Bacon. Illustration, which it were a hopeless task to endeavour to elicit from the contradictions of the former, may with much reason be expected from the latter.

We object in this instance to the principle of the Reviewer, only as it is understood in a general sense; we exempt the mysteries of our Faith from the number of the announcements, to which this species of proof is applicable whether the doctrine of Creation should be wholly removed from its scrutiny on this ground, is yet more fully to be considered. It is certain, that the writer to whom the Reviewer alludes, expressly states the Mysteries on which Philosophers are not to be consulted to be the Resurrection, and a Future State. August. De Trinit. L. iv. C. 16. In his treatise also De Ordine he lays down the distinction; "Divinæ scripturæ non omnino philosophos, sed philosophos hujus mundi evitandos atque irridendos esse præcipiunt." L. i. C. 11. § 32. The learned Reader may add to the preceding references, the Commentary in Serm. cali. §3. on the words of the Apostle, Rom. i. 20.

(b). See Note (1) Lecture iv. (c). See Lect. ii. p. 47. (e). Comparative Estimate etc. P. i. Ch. 6. pp. 59 sqq. Note (30).

(d). Lect. ix.

See Lect. iii.

Prof. Buck

(f). Compare Supplement to Encycl. Britann. Vol. vi. land's Inaugural Lecture, Note (f) p. 19. Rees's Cyclopædia, Vol. xxvii. Art. Petrifactions. Parkinson's Organic Remains etc. Vol. i. pp. 466–68. Cuvier, Recherche sur les Ossemens Fossiles; Discours Prélim., pp. 2. 8-15. 116. Tom. i. pp. 58. 208. 241. 254. 256. (In the latter passage express mention is made of the improvement in the surface of the Postdiluvian earth; though with reference more particularly to the "changemens dans chaque bassin particulier," Disc. Prélim. p. 9. ;) Tom. iii. p. 6. Such are the principal passages in this celebrated work, which announce directly the outlines of the theory to which we have adverted. In addition to these authorities, the Parisian Editor of Ovid's Metamorphoses (Lemaire, 1821) has prefixed to the first Volume a dissertation by M. Cuvier on the following question; "Les Déluges d'Ogygès et de Deucalion" (to which are afterwards added those of Arcadia and Samothrace; Vid. Dionys. Antiq. Rom.i. 61. Diodor. v. 47.) "sont-ils des événemens réels et particuliers, ou des traditions altérées du Déluge universel" ? The learned Naturalist decides on the latter; at the same time, a secret inclination to the opinion of their being separate catastrophes may, if I mistake not, be collected from his expressions. If so, are we to suppose them the fragments of early traditions of events which have disturbed life on our planet, and which are so legibly inscribed amongst its physical records?

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(g). A single instance may suffice of the insufficiency of this theory, the Coal-measures, which occur in the first Sandstone Formation, the oldest of the Secondary groupes. Mr. Penn after Parkinson refers the formation of those to a Universal Deluge; but in a way which, as is justly remarked by his Reviewer, proves any thing but acquaintance with the locality or the composition of those types. Neither is the last-named author very consistent with himself, when he affirms, "that the vegetable matter of the antediluvian world might be disposed, by the waters of the Deluge, in all those situations in which we now find Coal," (Letter xxiv. fin.,) though allowing before (p. 253) that its formation resulted from " vegetable matter buried at several distant periods." Such are the inconsistencies to which authors have exposed themselves by too limited a view of the Mosaic Record.

(h). Records of the Creation, Vol. i. pp. 356-58. Ossemens Fossiles, ubi supra. Compare also his abstract of Werner's Theory in his Historical Eloge, inserted in the Edinb. Phil. Journ. Vol. iv. pp. 8 sq. Martin on Extraneous Fossils: Rees, ubi supr.

(i). Diodorus Sicul. Fragm. Lib. xxvi. init.

FROM THE REGISTRY OF

TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.

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"WHEREAS a legacy of £1243 has been bequeathed to the College of Dublin, by Mrs. Anne Donnelan, for the encouragement of religion, learning, and good manners; the particular mode of application being entrusted to the Provost and Senior Fellows:

"RESOLVED,

"I. That a Divinity Lecture, to which shall be annexed a salary arising from the interest of £1200, shall be established for ever, to be called Donnelan's Lecture.

"II. That the Lecturer shall be forthwith elected from among the Fellows of said College, and hereafter annually on the 20th of November.

"III. That the subject, or subjects, of the lectures shall be determined at the time of election by the Board, to be treated of in Six Sermons, which shall be delivered in the College Chapel after Morning Service on certain Sundays, to be appointed on the 20th of November next after the election of the Lecturer, and within a year from said appointment.

"IV. That one moiety of the interest of the said £1200 shall be paid to the Lecturer, as soon as he shall have delivered the whole number of Lectures, and the other moiety, as soon as he shall have published four of the said Lectures; one copy to be deposited in the Library of the College; one in the Library of Armagh; one in the Library of St. Sepulchre; one to be given to the Chancellor of the University; and one to the Provost of the College."