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;
ADAM SEDGWICKwe 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;
ADAM SEDGWICK[Vestiges begins] from principles which are at variance with all sober inductive truth.
ADAM SEDGWICKBut 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,
ADAM SEDGWICKOur book becomes more clear, and nature seems to speak to us in language so like our own, that we easily comprehend it.
ADAM SEDGWICKIf 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
ADAM SEDGWICKThe utmost movements that he allows are a slight quivering of her muscular integuments.
ADAM SEDGWICKwe may then see the muscular integuments, and sinews, and bones of our mother Earth,
ADAM SEDGWICKWe must in imagination sweep off the drifted matter that clogs the surface of the ground;
ADAM SEDGWICKWe cannot take one step in geology without drawing upon the fathomless stores of by-gone time.
ADAM SEDGWICKAnd why is this done? For no other reason, I am sure, except to make us independent of a Creator.
ADAM SEDGWICKIndirectly 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.
ADAM SEDGWICKLike so much horse-physic!! Gross credulity and rank infidelity joined in unlawful marriage, and breeding a deformed progeny of unnatural conclusions!
ADAM SEDGWICKOr holds them of no account in the estimate of his origin and place in the created world.
ADAM SEDGWICKVolcanic action is essentially paroxysmal
ADAM SEDGWICKOur labours for the black people of Africa were works of madmen; and man and woman are only better beasts!
ADAM SEDGWICKIt has been modified by many great revolutions, brought about by an inner mechanism of which we very imperfectly comprehend the movements; but of which we gain a glimpse by studying their effects:
ADAM SEDGWICK