page v

Preface

The following pages were written under the impression, that the visible manifestations of the attributes of the Deity are too frequently overlooked by Christians in their views of the great objects of Religion, and in the worship they offer to the Father of their spirits; and are intended to show, that the teachers of Religion, in imparting instruction either to the old or to the young, ought to embrace a wider range of illustration, in reference to divine subjects, than that to which they are usually confined.

Throughout the whole of the discussions contained in this work, the Author has pursued his own train of thought; and in so doing, he trusts that he has been enabled to render some of his illustrations more interesting to the young and untutored mind, than if he had adhered rigidly to the sentiments of others, and to the technical language of science. The sketches of the different sciences are not mere extracts or compilations, but are, for the most part, original composition—in which it has been his main object to embody as many facts as his limits would permit—in order to excite the inquiring mind to further investigations into the different departments of physical science.

It is presumed, that no Christian reader will for once imagine, that the views illustrated in this work are intended to be substituted in place of the peculiar revelations of the Bible. The object of the volume is to illustrate the harmony which subsists between the system of Nature and the system of Revelation; and to show, that the manifestations of God in the material universe ought to be blended with our views of the facts and doctrines recorded in the volume of Inspiration.

It is taken for granted, throughout the whole range of the following illustrations, that the Scriptures contain a Revelation from Heaven; and under a firm belief of this important truth, the Author has embellished his work with frequent quotations from the energetic and sublime language of this Sacred book. It would, therefore, be unfair in any critic, who entertains doubts on this point, to find fault with such quotations, or with the allusions to Bible-phraseology which occur, unless they can be shown to be introduced without judgment or discrimination.

In consequence of the progress of the Arts and Sciences since the Last Edition of the following work was published—the Author has deemed it expedient to make a thorough revision of the whole, so as to embrace the latest improvements and discoveries in the different departments to which its diversified subjects refer. He has accordingly carefully revised every portion of the volume, and made very considerable additions to its several departments. The article Geology has been almost entirely re-written, and enlarged to more than double its former extent. The article page vi Geography has been enlarged by an addition of several pages. The articles Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Physiology, History, Printing, Mariner's Compass, Telescope, Air Balloons, Steam Navigation, etc., have likewise been considerably enlarged. To the former subjects are now added comprehensive sketches of the following recently-discovered departments of Science and Art—The Daguerreotype, Electrotype, Electro-Magnetism, Electric Telegraphs, Railroads, etc., beside a variety of paragraphs inserted in numerous places throughout the body of the work. Between twenty and thirty additional engravings have been inserted, and to the whole is now added a copious Index. These additions amount to more than thirty pages.

This work, in its original form, has had an extensive sale, not only in Great Britain, but also in the United States of America. It is therefore hoped that the improvements and additions which have now been made will render it still more acceptable to the public.

Broughty Ferry, near Dundee.