The conclusion here meant to be drawn is this, that, in a period of time much more ancient than the most ancient periods in human history, Egypt had been a country formed and watered by the Nile in like manner as it is at present; that though continual changes are making in this as well as in every other river, yet, on the whole, no sensible alteration can be discerned within the compass of human experience, consequently, it is only by considering, in a scientific manner, the nature of things, and making allowances for operations which have taken place in time past, that any competent judgment can be formed of the present shape and condition of countries, or of any particular place upon the surface of this earth, so far as regards its date, its causes, or its future state.  Nothing, almost, but the kingdom of Egypt would have formed those stupendous monuments of art and labour; and nothing but the present state of Egypt, fertilised by the Nile, could have formed that powerful kingdom which might execute those works.

Thus there is a system of mountains and valleys, of hills and plains, of rivulets and rivers, all of which are so perfectly connected, and so admirably proportioned, in their forms and quantities, like the arteries and veins of the animal body, that it would be absurd to suppose any thing but wisdom could have designed this system of the earth, in delivering water to run from the higher ground; or that any thing could have formed this beautiful disposition of things but the operation of the most steady causes; operations which, in the unlimited succession of time, has brought to our view scenes which seem to us to have been always, or to have been in the original construction of this earth.

To suppose the currents of the ocean to have formed that system of hill and dale, of branching rivers and rivulets, divided almost ad infinitum, which assemble together the water poured at large upon the surface of the earth, in order to nourish a great diversity of animals calculated for that moving element, and which carry back to the sea the superfluity of water, would be to suppose a systematic order in the currents of the ocean, an order which, with as much reason, we might look for, in the wind.  The diversity of heights upon the surface of the earth, and of hardness and solidity in the masses of which the land is formed, is doubtless governed by causes proper to the mineral kingdom, and independent either of the atmosphere or sea; but the form and structure by which the surface of the earth is fitted peculiarly to the purpose of this living world, in giving a fertility which sustains both plants and animals, is only caused by those powers which work upon the surface of the earth,—­those powers, the operation of which men in general see with indifference every day, sometimes with horror or apprehension.