Considered as a mere question of physics, (and keeping all moral considerations entirely out of sight,) the appearance of man is a geological phenomenon of vast importance
ADAM SEDGWICKwe may then see the muscular integuments, and sinews, and bones of our mother Earth,
More Adam Sedgwick Quotes
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[Vestiges begins] from principles which are at variance with all sober inductive truth.
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The sober facts of geology shuffled, so as to play a rogue’s game; phrenology (that sinkhole of human folly and prating coxcombry); spontaneous generation; transmutation of species; and I know not what; all to be swallowed, without tasting and trying
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We must in imagination sweep off the drifted matter that clogs the surface of the ground;
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We cannot take one step in geology without drawing upon the fathomless stores of by-gone time.
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If the [Vestiges] be true, the labours of sober induction are in vain; religion is a lie; human law is a mass of folly, and a base injustice; morality is moonshine
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we must suppose all the covering of moss and heath and wood to be torn away from the sides of the mountains, and the green mantle that lies near their feet to be lifted up;
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As a system of philosophy it is not like the Tower of Babel, so daring its high aim as to seek a shelter against God’s anger; but it is like a pyramid poised on its apex.
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Our book becomes more clear, and nature seems to speak to us in language so like our own, that we easily comprehend it.
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and so judge of the part played by each of them during those old convulsive movements whereby her limbs were contorted and drawn up into their present posture.
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The utmost movements that he allows are a slight quivering of her muscular integuments.
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Indirectly modifying the whole surface of the earth, breaking in upon any supposition of zoological continuity, and utterly unaccounted for by what we have any right to call the laws of nature.
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But just as we begin to enter on the history of physical changes going on before our eyes, and in which we ourselves bear a part,
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And their many causes still acting on the surface of our globe with undiminished power, which are changing, and will continue to change it, as long as it shall last.
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we may then see the muscular integuments, and sinews, and bones of our mother Earth,
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The world is not as it was when it came from its Maker’s hands.
ADAM SEDGWICK