Thenwhydotheygoout？
Becausetheyareaccustomedtoit。TheyhavecomehitherallroundfromCowes，pasttheLand’sEnd，andpastCapeClear，andtheyarenotafraidorsickeither。ButshallItellyouhowyouwouldendthisevening？——atleastsoIsuspect。Lyingmiserableinastuffycabin，onasofa，andnotquitesurewhetheryouweredeadoralive，tillyouwerebundledintoaboatabouttwelveo’clockatnight，whenyououghttobesafeasleep，andcomehomecold，andwet，andstupid，andill，andlieinbedallto—morrow。
Butwilltheybewetandcold？
Icannotbesure；butfromthelookoftheskytheretowestward，Ithinksomeofthemwillbe。Sodoyoumakeupyourmindtostaywithme。Butifitisfineandsmoothto—morrow，perhapswemayrowdownthebay，andseeplentyofwonderfulthings。
ButwhyisitthatMadamHowwillnottellpeoplebeforehandwhatwillhappentothem，asyouhavetoldme？
NowIwilltellyouagreatsecret，which，alas！everyonehasnotfoundoutyet。MadamHowwillteachyou，butonlybyexperience。
LadyWhywillteachyou，butbysomethingverydifferent——bysomethingwhichhasbeencalled——andIknownobetternamesforit——graceandinspiration；byputtingintoyourheartfeelingswhichnoman，notevenyourfatherandmother，canputthere；bymakingyouquicktolovewhatisright，andhatewhatiswrong，simplybecausetheyarerightandwrong，thoughyoudon’tknowwhytheyarerightandwrong；bymakingyouteachable，modest，reverent，readytobelievethosewhoareolderandwiserthanyouwhentheytellyouwhatyoucouldneverfindoutforyourself：
andsoyouwillbeprudent，thatisprovident，foreseeing，andknowwhatwillhappenifyoudoso—and—so；andthereforewhatisreallybestandwisestforyou。
Butwhywillshebekindenoughtodothatforme？
FortheverysamereasonthatIdoit。ForGod’ssake。BecauseGodisyourFatherinheaven，asIamyourfatheronearth，andHedoesnotwishHislittlechildtobelefttothehardteachingofNatureandLaw，buttobehelpedonbymany，manyunsoughtandundeservedfavours，suchasarerightlycalled"MeansofGrace；"
andaboveallbytheGospelandgoodnewsthatyouareGod’schild，andthatGodlovesyou，andhashelpedandtaughtyou，andwillhelpyouandteachyou，inathousandwaysofwhichyouarenotaware，ifonlyyouwillbeawisechild，andlistentoLadyWhy，whenshecriesfromherPalaceofWisdom，andthefeastwhichshehasprepared，"Whosoissimplelethimturninhither；"andsaystohimwhowantsunderstanding——"Come，eatofmybread，anddrinkofthewinewhichIhavemingled。"
"Counselismine，andsoundwisdom：Iamunderstanding；Ihavestrength。Bymekingsreign，andprincesdecreejustice。Bymeprincesrule，andnobles，evenallthejudgesoftheearth。I
lovethemthatloveme；andthosethatseekmeearlyshallfindme。Richesandhonourarewithme；yea，durablerichesandrighteousness。"
Yes，IwilltryandlistentoLadyWhy：butwhatwillhappenifI
donot？
Thatwillhappentoyou，mychild——butGodforbiditevershouldhappen——whichhappenstowickedkingsandrulers，andallmen，eventhegreatestandcleverest，iftheydonotchoosetoreignbyLadyWhy’slaws，anddecreejusticeaccordingtohereternalideasofwhatisjust，butonlydowhatseemspleasantandprofitabletothemselves。OnthemLadyWhyturnsround，andsays——forshe，too，canbeawful，aydreadful，whensheneeds—
"BecauseIhavecalled，andyerefused；Ihavestretchedoutmyhand，andnomanregarded；butyehavesetatnoughtallmycounsel，andwouldhavenoneofmyreproof——"Andthencomewordssoterrible，thatIwillnotspeakthemhereinthishappyplace：
butwhattheymeanisthis：—
Thatthesefoolishpeoplearehandedover——asyouandIshallbeifwedowrongwilfully——toMadamHowandherterribleschool—
house，whichiscalledNatureandtheLaw，tobetreatedjustastheplantsandanimalsaretreated，becausetheydidnotchoosetobehavelikemenandchildrenofGod。Andtheretheylearn，whethertheylikeornot，whattheymighthavelearntfromLadyWhyallalong。Theylearnthegreatlaw，thatasmensowsotheywillreap；astheymaketheirbedsotheywilllieonit：andMadamHowcanteachthatasnooneelsecaninearthorheaven：
only，unfortunatelyforherscholars，sheisapttohitsohardwithherrod，whichiscalledExperience，thattheynevergetoverit；andthereforemostofthosewhowillonlybetaughtbyNatureandLawarekilled，poorcreatures，beforetheyhavelearnttheirlesson；asmanyasavagetribeisdestroyed，ayandgreatandmightynationstoo——theoldRomanEmpireamongthem。
AndthepoorJews，whowerecarriedawaycaptivetoBabylon？
Yes；theywouldnotlistentoLadyWhy，andsotheyweretakeninhandbyMadamHow，andwereseventyyearsinherterribleschool—
house，learningalessonwhich，todothemjustice，theyneverforgotagain。Butnowwewilltalkofsomethingpleasanter。WewillgobacktoLadyWhy，andlistentohervoice。Itsoundsgentleandcheerfulenoughjustnow。Listen。
What？isshespeakingtousnow？
Hush！openyoureyesandearsoncemore，foryouaregrowingsleepywithmylongsermon。Watchthesleepyshiningwater，andthesleepygreenmountains。Listentothesleepylappingoftheripple，andthesleepysighingofthewoods，andletLadyWhytalktoyouthroughthemin"songswithoutwords，"becausetheyaredeeperthanallwords，tillyou，too，fallasleepwithyourheaduponmyknee。
Butwhatdoesshesay？
Shesays——"Bestill。Thefulnessofjoyispeace。"There，youarefastasleep；andperhapsthatisthebestthingforyou；forsleepwill（soIaminformed，thoughIneversawithappen，noranyoneelse）putfreshgraymatterintoyourbrain；orsavethewearandtearoftheoldgraymatter；orsomethingelse——whentheyhavesettledwhatitistodo：andifso，youwillwakeupwithafreshfiddle—stringtoyourlittlefiddleofabrain，onwhichyouareplayingnewtunesalldaylong。Somuchthebetter：butwhenIbelievethatyourbrainisyou，prettyboy，thenIshallbelievealsothatthefiddlerishisfiddle。
CHAPTERXII——HOMEWARDBOUND
Come：Isupposeyouconsideryourselfquiteagoodsailorbynow？
Oh，yes。Ihaveneverbeenillyet，thoughithasbeenquiteroughagainandagain。
Whatyoucallrough，littleman。Butasyouaregrownsuchaverygoodsailor，andalsoastheseaisallbutsmooth，Ithinkwewillhaveasailintheyachtto—day，andthatatolerablylongone。
Oh，howdelightful！butIthoughtweweregoinghome；andthethingsareallpackedup。
Andwhyshouldwenotgohomewardsintheyacht，thingsandall？
What，allthewaytoEngland？
No，notsofarasthat；butthesekindpeople，whentheycameintotheharbourlastnight，offeredtotakeusupthecoasttoatown，wherewewillsleep，andstartcomfortablyhometo—morrowmorning。
Sonowyouwillhaveachanceofseeingsomethingofthegreatseaoutside，andofseeing，perhaps，thewhalehimself。
Ihopeweshallseethewhale。Themensayhehasbeenoutsidetheharboureverydaythisweekafterthefish。
Verygood。Nowdoyoukeepquiet，andoutoftheway，whilewearegettingreadytogoonboard；andtakealastlookatthisprettyplace，andallitsdearkindpeople。
Andthedearkinddogstoo，andthecatandthekittens。
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Now，comealong，andbundleintotheboat，ifyouhavedonebiddingeveryonegood—bye；andtakecareyoudon’tslipdownintheice—groovings，asyoudidtheotherday。There，weareoffatlast。
Oh，lookatthemallontherockwatchingusandwavingtheirhandkerchiefs；andHarperandPaddytoo，andlittleJimsyandIsy，withtheirfatbarefeet，andtheirarmsroundthedogs’necks。I
amsosorrytoleavethemall。
Notsorrytogohome？
No，but——Theyhavebeensokind；andthedogsweresokind。Iamsuretheyknewweweregoing，andweresorrytoo。
Perhapstheywere。Theyknewweweregoingaway，atallevents。
Theyknowwhatbringingoutboxesandluggagemeanswellenough。
Samknew，Iamsure；buthedidnotcareforus。HewasonlyuneasybecausehethoughtHarperwasgoing，andheshouldlosehisshooting；andassoonashesawHarperwasnotgettingintotheboat，hesatdownandscratchedhimself，quitehappy。Butdodogsthink？
Ofcoursetheydo，onlytheydonotthinkinwords，aswedo。
Buthowcantheythinkwithoutwords？
Thatisverydifficultforyouandmetoimagine，becausewealwaysthinkinwords。Theymustthinkinpictures，Isuppose，byrememberingthingswhichhavehappenedtothem。YouandIdothatinourdreams。Isuspectthatsavages，whohaveveryfewwordstoexpresstheirthoughtswith，thinkinpictures，liketheirowndogs。Butthatisalongstory。Wemustseeaboutgettingonboardnow，andunderway。
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Well，andwhathaveyoubeendoing？
Oh，Ilookedallovertheyacht，attheropesandcuriousthings；
andthenIlookedatthemountains，tillIwastired；andthenI
heardyouandsomegentlemantalkingaboutthelandsinking，andI
listened。Therewasnoharminthat？
Noneatall。Butwhatdidyouhearhimsay？
Thatthelandmustbesinkinghere，becausetherewerepeat—bogseverywherebelowhigh—watermark。Isthattrue？
Quitetrue；andthatpeatwouldneverhavebeenformedwherethesaltwatercouldgetatit，asitdoesnoweverytide。
Butwhatwasithesaidaboutthatcliffoverthere？
Hesaidthatcliffonourright，ahundredfeethigh，wasplainlyoncejoinedontothatlowislandonourleft。
What，thatlongbankofstones，withahouseonit？
Thatisnohouse。Thatisasquarelumpofmud，thelastremainingbitofearthwhichwasoncethemoraineofaglacier。
Everyyearitcrumblesintotheseamoreandmore；andinafewyearsitwillbeallgone，andnothingleftbutthegreatroundboulder—stoneswhichtheicebroughtdownfromtheglaciersbehindus。
Buthowdoesheknowthatitwasoncejoinedtothecliff？
Becausethatcliff，andthedownbehindit，wherethecowsarefed，ismadeup，liketheisland，ofnothingbutlooseearthandstones；andthatiswhyitisbrightandgreenbesidethegrayrocksandbrownheatherofthemoorsatitsfoot。Heknowsthatitmustbeanoldglaciermoraine；andhehasreasontothinkthatmoraineoncestretchedrightacrossthebaytothelowisland，andperhapsontotheothershore，andwaseatenoutbytheseaasthelandsankdown。
Buthowdoesheknowthatthelandsank？
Ofthat，hesays，heisquitecertain；andthisiswhathesays。——
Supposetherewasaglacierhere，wherewearesailingnow：itwouldendinanicecliff，suchasyouhaveseenapictureofinCaptainCook’sVoyages，ofwhichyouaresofond。YourecollectthepicturesofChristmasSoundandPossessionBay？
Ohyes，andpicturesofGreenlandandSpitzbergentoo，withglaciersinthesea。
Thenicebergswouldbreakofffromthatcliff，andcarryallthedirtandstonesouttosea，perhapshundredsofmilesaway，insteadoflettingitdrophereinaheap；andwhatdidfallinaheapheretheseawouldwashdownatonce，andsmoothitoverthesea—bottom，andneverletitpileupinahugebanklikethat。Doyouunderstand？
IthinkIdo。
Therefore，hesays，thatgreatmorainemusthavebeenbuiltupondryland，intheopenair；andmusthavesunksinceintothesea，whichisgnawingatitdayandnight，andwillsomedayeatitallup，asitwouldeatupallthedrylandintheworld，ifMadamHowwasnotcontinuallyliftingupfreshland，tomakeupforwhattheseahascarriedoff。
Oh，lookthere！someonehascaughtafish，andishaulingitup。
Whatastrangecreature！Itisnotamackerel，noragurnet，norapollock。
Howdoyouknowthat？
Why，itisrunningalongthetopofthewaterlikeasnake；andtheyneverdothat。Hereitcomes。Ithasgotalongbeak，likeasnipe。Oh，letmesee。
Seeifyoulike：butdon’tgetintheway。Rememberyouarebutalittleboy。
Whatisit？asnakewithabird’shead？
No：asnakehasnofins；andlookatitsbeak：itisfulloflittleteeth，whichnobirdhas。Butaverycuriousfellowheis，nevertheless：andhisnameisGar—fish。SomecallhimGreen—
bone，becausehisbonesaregreen。
Butwhatkindoffishishe？HeislikenothingIeversaw。
Ibelieveheisnearesttoapike，thoughhisbackboneisdifferentfromapike，andfromallotherknownfishes。
Butishenotveryrare？
Ohno：hecomestoDevonshireandCornwallwiththemackerel，ashehascomehere；andincalmweatherhewillswimonthetopofthewater，andplayabout，andcatchflies，andstandboltuprightwithhislongnoseintheair；andwhenthefisher—boysthrowhimastick，hewilljumpoveritagainandagain，andplaywithitinthemostridiculousway。
Andwhatwilltheydowithhim？
Cuthimupforbait，Isuppose，forheisnotverygoodtoeat。
Certainly，hedoessmellverynasty。
Haveyouonlyjustfoundoutthat？SometimeswhenIhavecaughtone，hehasmadetheboatsmellsothatIwasgladtothrowhimoverboard，andsohesavedhislifebyhisnastiness。Buttheywillcatchplentyofmackerelnow；forwhereheistheyare；andwheretheyare，perhapsthewhalewillbe；forwearenowwelloutsidetheharbour，andrunningacrosstheopenbay；andluckyforyouthattherearenorollerscominginfromtheAtlantic，andspoutingupthosecliffsincolumnsofwhitefoam。
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"Hoch！"
Ah！Whowasthatcoughedjustbehindtheship？
Who，indeed？lookroundandsee。
Thereisnobody。Therecouldnotbeinthesea。
Look——there，aquarterofamileaway。
Oh！Whatisthatturningoverinthewater，likeagreatblackwheel？Andagreattoothonit，and——oh！itisgone！
Nevermind。Itwillsoonshowitselfagain。
Butwhatwasit？
Thewhale：oneofthem，atleast；forthemensaytherearetwodifferentonesaboutthebay。Thatblackwheelwaspartofhisback，asheturneddown；andthetoothonitwashisback—fin。
Butthenoise，likeagiant’scough？
Ratherliketheblastofalocomotivejuststarting。Thatwashisbreath。
What？asloudasthat？
Whynot？Heisaverybigfellow，andhasbiglungs。
Howbigishe？
Icannotsay：perhapsthirtyorfortyfeetlong。Weshallbeabletoseebettersoon。Hewillcomeupagain，andverylikelynearerus，wherethosebirdsare。
Idon’twanthimtocomeanynearer。
Youreallyneednotbeafraid。Heisquiteharmless。
Buthemightrunagainsttheyacht。
Hemight：andsomightahundredthingshappenwhichneverdo。
ButIneverheardofoneofthesewhalesrunningagainstavessel；
soIsupposehehassenseenoughtoknowthattheyachtisnoconcernofhis，andtokeepoutofitsway。
Butwhydoeshemakethattremendousnoiseonlyonce，andthengounderwateragain？
Youmustrememberthatheisnotafish。Afishtakesthewaterinthroughhismouthcontinually，anditrunsoverhisgills，andoutbehindthroughhisgill—covers。Sothegillssuck—uptheairoutofthewater，andsenditintothefish’sblood，justastheydointhenewt—larva。
Yes，Iknow。
Butthewhalebreatheswithlungslikeyouandme；andwhenhegoesunderwaterhehastoholdhisbreath，asyouandIhave。
Whatalongtimehecanholdit。
Yes。Heisawonderfuldiver。Somewhales，theysay，willkeepunderforanhour。Butwhileheisunder，mind，theairinhislungsisgettingfoul，andfullofcarbonicacid，justasitwouldinyourlungs，ifyouheldyourbreath。Soheisforcedtocomeupatlast：andthenoutofhisblowers，whichareonthetopofhishead，heblastsoutallthefoulbreath，andwithitthewaterwhichhasgotintohismouth，inacloudofspray。Thenhesucksinfreshair，asmuchashewants，anddivesagain，asyousawhimdojustnow。
Andwhatdoeshedounderwater？
Look——andyouwillsee。Lookatthosebirds。Wewillsailuptothem；forMr。Whalewillprobablyriseamongthemsoon。
Oh，whatascreamingandwhatafighting！Howmanysortsthereare！Whatarethosebeautifullittleones，likegreatwhiteswallows，withcrestedheadsandforkedtails，whohover，andthendipdownandpickupsomething？
Terns——sea—swallows。Andtherearegullsinhundreds，yousee，largeandsmall，gray—backedandblack—backed；andoverthemalltwoorthreegreatgannetsswoopingroundandround。
Oh！onehasfallenintothesea！
Yes，withasplashjustlikeacannonball。Andherehecomesupagain，withafishinhisbeak。Ifhehadfallenonyourhead，withthatbeakofhis，hewouldhavesplititopen。Ihaveheardofmencatchinggannetsbytyingafishonaboard，andlettingitfloat；andwhenthegannetstrikesatithedriveshisbillintotheboard，andcannotgetitout。
Butisnotthatcruel？
Ithinkso。Gannetsareofnouse，foreating，oranythingelse。
Whatanoise！Itisquitedeafening。Andwhatarethoseblackbirdsabout，whocroaklikecrows，orparrots？
Lookatthem。Somehavebroadbills，withawhitestripeonit，andcrysomethinglikethemoor—hensathome。Thosearerazor—
bills。
Andwhatarethosewhosay"marrock，"somethinglikeaparrot？
Theoneswiththinbills？theyareguillemots，"murres"aswecalltheminDevon：butinsomeplacestheycallthem"marrocks，"fromwhattheysay。
Andeachhasalittlebabybirdswimmingbehindit。Oh！there：
themotherhascockeduphertailanddived，andthelittleoneisswimmingaboutlookingforher！Howitcries！Itisafraidoftheyacht。
Andthereshecomesupagain，andcries"marrock"tocallit。
Lookatitswimminguptoher，andcuddlingtoher，quitehappy。
Quitehappy。Anddoyounotthinkthatanyonewhotookagunandshoteitherthatmotherorthatchildwouldbebothcowardlyandcruel？
Buttheymighteatthem。
Thesesea—birdsarenotgoodtoeat。Theytastetoostrongoffish—oil。Theyareofnouseatall，exceptthatthegulls’andterns’feathersareputintogirls’hats。
Welltheymightfindplentyofotherthingstoputintheirhats。
SoIthink。Yes：itwouldbeverycruel，verycruelindeed，todowhatsomedo，shootatthesepoorthings，andleavethemfloatingaboutwoundedtilltheydie。ButIsuppose，ifonegavethemone’smindaboutsuchdoings，andthreatenedtoputthenewSeaFowlActinforceagainstthem，andfinethem，andshowthemupinthenewspapers，theywouldsaytheymeantnoharm，andhadneverthoughtaboutitsbeingcruel。
Thentheyoughttothink。
Theyought；andsooughtyou。Halfthecrueltyintheworld，likehalfthemisery，comessimplyfrompeople’snotthinking；andboysareoftenverycruelfrommerethoughtlessness。Sowhenyouaretemptedtorobbirds’nests，ortosetthedogsonamoorhen，orpeltwrensinthehedge，think；andsay——HowshouldIlikethattobedonetome？
Iknow：butwhatareallthebirdsdoing？
Lookatthewater，howitsparkles。Itisalivewithtinyfish，"fry，""brett"aswecallthemintheWest，whichthemackerelaredrivinguptothetop。
Poorlittlethings！Howhardonthem！Thebigfishatthemfrombelow，andthebirdsatthemfromabove。Andwhatisthat？
Thousandsoffishleapingoutofthewater，scramblingovereachother’sbacks。Whatacurioussoftrushingroaringnoisetheymake！
Aha！Theeatersaregoingtobeeateninturn。Thosearethemackerelthemselves；andIsuspecttheyseeMr。Whale，andarescramblingoutofthewayasfastastheycan，lestheshouldswallowthemdown，adozenatatime。Lookoutsharpforhimnow。
Ihopehewillnotcomeverynear。
No。Thefisharegoingfromusandpastus。Ifhecomesup，hewillcomeupasternofus，solookback。Thereheis！
That？Ithoughtitwasaboat。
Yes。Hedoeslookverylikeaboatupsidedown。Butthatisonlyhisheadandshoulders。Hewillblownext。
"Hoch！"
Oh！Whatajetofspray，liketheGeysers！Andthesunmadearainbowonthetopofit。Heisquitestillnow。
Yes；heistakingalongbreathortwo。Youneednotholdmyhandsotight。Hisheadisfromus；andwhenhegoesdownhewillgorightaway。
Oh，heisturningheadoverheels！Thereishisbackfinagain。
And——Ah！wasthatnotaslap！Howthewaterboiledandfoamed；
andwhatatailhehad！Andhowthemackerelflewoutofthewater！
Yes。Youarealuckyboytohaveseenthat。Ihavenotseenoneofthosegentlemenshowhis"flukes，"astheycallthem，sinceI
wasaboyontheCornishcoast。
Whereishegone？
Huntingmackerel，awayoutatsea。Butdidyounoticesomethingoddabouthistail，asyoucallit——thoughitisreallynone？
Itlookedasifitwassetonflat，andnotupright，likeafish’s。Butwhyisitnotatail？
Justbecauseitissetonflat，notupright：andlearnedmenwilltellyouthatthosetwoflukesarethe"rudiments"——thatis，eitherthebeginning，ormorelikelythelastremains——oftwohindfeet。ButthatbelongstothesecondvolumeofMadamHow’sBookofKind；andyouhavenotyetlearnedanyofthefirstvolume，youknow，exceptaboutafewbutterflies。Lookhere！Herearemorewhalescoming。Don’tbefrightened。Theyareonlylittleones，mackerel—hunting，likethebigone。
Whatprettysmooththings，turningheadoverheels，andsaying，"Hush，Hush！"
Theydon’treallyturncleanover；andthat"Hush"istheirwayofbreathing。
Aretheytheyoungonesofthatgreatmonster？
No；theyareporpoises。Thatbigoneis，Ibelieve，abottle—
nose。Butifyouwanttoknowaboutthekindsofwhales，youmustaskDr。FlowerattheRoyalCollegeofSurgeons，andnotme：andhewilltellyouwonderfulthingsaboutthem。——Howsomeofthemhavemouthsfullofstrongteeth，liketheseporpoises；andothers，likethegreatspermwhaleintheSouthSea，havehugeteethintheirlowerjaws，andintheupperonlyholesintowhichthoseteethfit；otherslikethebottle—nose，onlytwoteethorsointhelowerjaw；andothers，likethenarwhal，twostraighttusksintheupperjaw，onlyoneofwhichgrows，andiswhatyoucallanarwhal’shorn。
Ohyes。Iknowofawalking—stickmadeofone。
Andstrangestofall，howtheright—whaleshaveafewlittleteethwhentheyareborn，whichnevercomethroughthegums；but，instead，theygrowallalongtheirgums，anenormouscurtainofclottedhair，whichservesasanettokeepinthetinysea—
animalsonwhichtheyfeed，andletthewaterstrainout。
Youmeanwhalebone？Iswhalebonehair？
Soitseems。Andsoisarhinoceros’shorn。Arhinocerosusedtobehairyalloverinoldtimes：butnowhecarriesallhishairontheendofhisnose，exceptafewbristlesonhistail。Andtheright—whale，nottobedoneinoddity，carriesallhisonhisgums。
Buthavenowhalesanyhair？
Norealwhales：buttheManati，whichisverynearlyawhale，haslongbristlyhairleft。Don’tyourememberM。’sletterabouttheonehesawatRioJaneiro？
Thisisallveryfunny：butwhatistheuseofknowingsomuchaboutthings’teethandhair？
WhatistheuseoflearningLatinandGreek，andadozenthingsmorewhichyouhavetolearn？Youdon’tknowyet：butwiserpeoplethanyoutellyouthattheywillbeofusesomeday。AndI
cantellyou，thatifyouwouldonlystudythatgar—fishlongenough，andcomparehimwithanotherfishsomethinglikehim，whohasalongbeaktohislowerjaw，andnonetohisupper——andhowheeatsIcannotguess，——andbothofthemagainwithcertainfisheslikethem，whichM。Agassizhasfoundlately，notinthesea，butintheriverAmazon；andthenthinkcarefullyenoughovertheirbonesandteeth，andtheirhistoryfromthetimetheyarehatched——why，youwouldfindout，Ibelieve，astoryabouttheriverAmazonitself，morewonderfulthanallthefairytalesyoueverread。
Nowthereisluncheonready。Comedownbelow，anddon’ttumbledownthecompanion—stairs；andbythetimeyouhaveeatenyourdinnerweshallbeveryneartheshore。
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So？Hereismylittlemanondeck，afteragoodnight’srest。
Andhehasnotbeentheleastsick，Ihear。
Notabit：butthecabinwassostuffyandhot，Iaskedleavetocomeondeck。Whatahugesteamer！ButIdonotlikeitaswellastheyacht。Itsmellsofoilandsteam，and—
Andpigsandbullockstoo，Iamsorrytosay。Don’tgoforwardabovethem，butstayherewithme，andlookround。
Wherearewenow？Whatarethosehighhills，farawaytotheleft，abovethelowlandsandwoods？
ThosearetheshoreoftheOldWorld——theWelshmountains。
AndinfrontofusIcanseenothingbutflatland。Whereisthat？
ThatisthemouthoftheSevernandAvon；whereweshallbeinhalfanhourmore。
Andthere，ontheright，overthelowhills，Icanseehigherones，blueandhazy。
ThoseareanislandoftheOldWorld，callednowtheMendipHills；
andwearesteamingalongthegreatstraitbetweentheMendipsandtheWelshmountains，whichoncewascoralreef，andisnowtheSevernsea；andbythetimeyouhaveeatenyourbreakfastweshallsteaminthroughacrackinthatcoral—reef；andyouwillseewhatyoumissedseeingwhenyouwenttoIreland，becauseyouwentonboardatnight。
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Oh！Wherehavewegottonow？WhereisthewideSevernSea？
Twoorthreemilesbeyondus；andhereweareinnarrowlittleAvon。
Narrowindeed。Iwonderthatthesteamerdoesnotrunagainstthoserocks。Buthowbeautifultheyare，andhowthetreeshangdownoverthewater，andareallreflectedinit！
Yes。ThegorgeoftheAvonisalwayslovely。IsawitfirstwhenIwasalittleboylikeyou；andIhaveseenitmanyatimesince，insunshineandinstorm，andthoughtitmorelovelyeverytime。
Look！thereissomethingcurious。
What？Thosegreatrustyringsfixedintotherock？
Yes。Thosemaybeasold，foraughtIknow，asQueenElizabeth’sorJames’sreign。
Butwhyweretheyputthere？
Forshipstoholdonby，iftheylostthetide。
Whatdoyoumean？
Itishightidenow。Thatiswhythewaterisalmostuptothebranchesofthetrees。Butwhenthetideturns，itwillallrushoutinatorrentwhichwouldsweepshipsouttoseaagain，iftheyhadnotsteam，aswehave，tohelpthemupagainstthestream。Sosailingships，inoldtimes，fastenedthemselvestothoserings，androdeagainstthestreamtillthetideturned，andcarriedthemuptoBristol。
Butwhatisthetide？Andwhydoesitgoupanddown？Andwhydoesitalterwiththemoon，asIheardyouallsayingsoofteninIreland？
Thatisalongstory，whichImusttellyousomethingaboutsomeothertime。NowIwantyoutolookatsomethingelse：andthatis，therocksthemselves，inwhichtheringsare。Theyareverycuriousinmyeyes，andveryvaluable；fortheytaughtmealessoningeologywhenIwasquiteaboy：andIwantthemtoteachittoyounow。
Whatistherecuriousinthem？
This。Youwillsoonseeforyourself，evenfromthesteamer’sdeck，thattheyarenotthesamerockasthehighlimestonehillsabove。Theyaremadeupofredsandandpebbles；andtheyareawholeworldyounger，indeedsomesaytwoworldsyounger，thanthelimestonehillsabove，andlieuponthetopofthelimestone。NowyoumayseewhatImeantwhenIsaidthatthenewerrocks，thoughtheylieonthetopoftheolder，wereoftenlowerdownthantheyare。
Buthowdoyouknowthattheylieonthelimestone？
Lookintothatcorneroftheriver，asweturnround，andyouwillseewithyourowneyes。Therearethesandstones，lyingflatontheturned—upedgesofanotherrock。
Yes；Isee。Thelayersofitarealmostupright。
Thenthatuprightrockunderneathispartofthegreatlimestonehillabove。Sothehillmusthavebeenraisedoutofthesea，agesago，andeatenbackbythewaves；andthenthesandandpebblesmadeabeachatitsfoot，andhardenedintostone；andthereitis。AndwhenyougetthroughthelimestonehillstoBristol，youwillseemoreofthesesameredsandstonerocks，spreadaboutatthefootofthelimestone—hills，ontheotherside。
Butwhyisthesandstonetwoworldsnewerthanthelimestone？
Becausebetweenthatsandstoneandthatlimestonecomehundredsoffeetofrock，whichcarryinthemallthecoalinEngland。Don’tyourememberthatItoldyouthatoncebefore？
Ohyes。ButIseenocoalbetweenthemthere。
No。ButthereisplentyofcoalbetweenthemoverinWales；andplentytoobetweenthemontheothersideofBristol。Whatyouarelookingatthereisjustthelipofagreatcoal—box，wherethebottomandthelidjoin。Thebottomisthemountainlimestone；andthelidisthenewredsandstone，orTrias，astheycallitnow：butthecoalyoucannotsee。Itisstowedinsidethebox，milesawayfromhere。Butnow，lookatthecliffsandthedowns，which（theytellme）arejustlikethedownsintheHolyLand；andthewoodsandvillas，highoveryourhead。
Andwhatisthatintheair？Abridge？
Yes——thatisthefamousSuspensionBridge——andabeautifulworkofartitis。Ay，stareatit，andwonderatit，littleman，ofcourse。
Butisitnotwonderful？
Yes：itwasaclevertricktogetthosechainsacrossthegulf，highupintheair：butnotsocleveratrickastomakeasinglestoneofwhichthosepiersarebuilt，orasingleflowerorleafinthosewoods。ThemoreyouseeofMadamHow’smasonryandcarpentry，theclumsierman’sworkwilllooktoyou。Butnowwemustgetreadytogiveupourtickets，andgoashore，andsettleourselvesinthetrain；andthenweshallhaveplentytoseeaswerunhome；morecurious，tomymind，thananysuspensionbridge。
Andyoupromisedtoshowmeallthedifferentrocksandsoilsaswewenthome，becauseitwassodarkwhenwecamefromReading。
Verygood。
***
Nowwearesettledinthetrain。Andwhatdoyouwanttoknowfirst？
Moreaboutthenewrocksbeinglowerthantheoldones，thoughtheylieonthetopofthem。
Well，lookhere，atthissketch。
Aboypilingupslates？Whathasthattodowithit？
IsawyouinIrelandpilingslatesagainstarockjustinthisway。AndIthoughttomyself——"ThatissomethinglikeMadamHow’swork。"
How？
Why，see。TheoldrockstandsforthemountainsoftheOldWorld，liketheWelshmountains，ortheMendipHills。Theslatesstandforthenewrocks，whichhavebeenpiledupagainstthese，oneovertheother。But，yousee，eachslateislowerthantheonebeforeit，andslopesmore；tillthelastslatewhichyouareputtingonisthelowestofall，thoughitoverliesall。
Iseenow。Iseenow。
Thenlookatthesketchoftherocksbetweenthisandhome。Itisonlyaroughsketch，ofcourse：butitwillmakeyouunderstandsomethingmoreaboutthematter。Now。Yousee，thelumpmarkedA。Withtwistedlinesinit。ThatstandsfortheMendipHillstothewest，whicharemadeofoldredsandstone，verymuchthesamerock（tospeakroughly）astheKerrymountains。
Andwhyarethelinesinittwisted？
Toshowthatthestrata，thelayersinit，aretwisted，andsetupatquitedifferentanglesfromthelimestone。
Buthowwasthatdone？
Byoldearthquakesandchangeswhichhappenedinoldworlds，agesonagessince。Thentheedgesoftheoldredsandstonewereeatenawaybythesea——andsomethinkbyicetoo，insomeearlierageofice；andthenthelimestonecoralreefwaslaiddownonthem，"unconformably，"asgeologistssay——justasyousawthenewredsandstonelaiddownontheedgesofthelimestone；andsooneworldisbuiltupontheedgeofanotherworld，outofitsscrapsandruins。
ThendoyouseeB。Withanotchinit？ThatmeanstheselimestonehillsontheshoulderoftheMendips；andthatnotchisthegorgeoftheAvonwhichwehavesteamedthrough。
Andwhatisthatblackaboveit？
Thatisthecoal，afewmilesoff，markedC。
AndwhatisthisD，whichcomesnext？
Thatiswhatweareonnow。Newredsandstone，lyingunconformablyonthecoal。Ishowedityouinthebedoftheriver，aswecamealonginthecab。Wearehereinasortofamphitheatre，orhalfaone，withthelimestonehillsaroundus，andthenewredsandstoneplasteredon，asitwere，roundthebottomofitinside。
ButwhatisthishighbitwithEagainstit？
ThosearethehighhillsroundBath，whichweshallrunthroughsoon。Theyarenewerthanthesoilhere；andtheyare（foranexception）highertoo；fortheyaresomuchharderthanthesoilhere，thattheseahasnoteatenthemaway，asithasallthelowlandsfromBristolrightintotheSomersetshireflats。
***
There。Weareoffatlast，andgoingtorunhometoReading，throughoneoftheloveliestlines（asIthink）ofoldEngland。
Andbetweentheintervalsofeatingfruit，wewillgeologizeonthewayhome，withthislittlebitofpapertoshowuswhereweare。
Whatprettyrocks！
Yes。Theyareabossofthecoalmeasures，Ibelieve，shovedupwiththelias，theliaslyingroundthem。ButIwarnyouImaynotbequiteright：becauseIneverlookedatageologicalmapofthispartoftheline，andhavelearntwhatIknow，justasIwantyoutolearnsimplybylookingoutofthecarriagewindow。
Look。Hereisliasrockinthesideofthecutting；layersofhardbluelimestone，andthenlayersofbluemudbetweenthem，inwhich，ifyoucouldstoptolook，youwouldfindfossilsinplenty；andalongthatliasweshallruntoBath，andthenalltherockswillchange。
***
Now，hereweareatBath；andherearethehandsomefruit—women，waitingforyoutobuy。
Andoh，whatstrawberriesandcherries！
Yes。Allthisvalleyisveryrich，andveryshelteredtoo，andverywarm；forthesoftsouth—westernairsweepsupitfromtheBristolChannel；sotheslopesarecoveredwithfruit—orchards，asyouwillseeasyougetoutofthestation。
Why，weareabovethetopsofthehouses。
Yes。WehavebeenrisingeversinceweleftBristol；andyouwillsoonseewhy。Nowwehavelaidinasmuchfruitasissafeforyou，andawaywego。
Oh，whathighhillsoverthetown！Andwhatbeautifulstonehouses！Eventhecottagesarebuiltofstone。
Allthatstonecomesoutofthosehighhills，intowhichwearegoingnow。ItiscalledBath—stonefreestone，oroolite；anditliesonthetopofthelias，whichwehavejustleft。HereitismarkedF。
Whatsteephills，andcliffstoo，andwithquarriesinthem！Whatcanhavemadethemsosteep？Andwhatcanhavemadethislittlenarrowvalley？
MadamHow’srain—spadefromabove，Isuppose，andperhapstheseagnawingattheirfeetbelow。Thosefreestonehillsoncestretchedhighoverourheads，andfaraway，Isuppose，tothewestward。
Nowtheyareallgnawedoutintocliffs，——indeedgnawedcleanthroughinthebottomofthevalley，wherethefamoushotspringsbreakoutinwhichpeoplebathe。
IsthatwhytheplaceiscalledBath？
Ofcourse。ButtheOldRomanscalledtheplaceAquaeSolis——thewatersofthesun；andcuriousoldRomanremainsarefoundhere，whichwehavenottimetostopandsee。
Nowlookoutattheprettyclearlimestonestreamrunningtomeetusbelow，andthegreatlimestonehillsclosingoverusabove。
Howdoyouthinkweshallgetoutfromamongthem？
Shallwegoovertheirtops？
No。Thatwouldbetoosteepaclimb，forevensuchagreatengineasthis。
Thenthereisacrackwhichwecangetthrough？
Lookandsee。
Why，wearecomingtoaregularwallofhill，and—
Andgoingrightthroughitinthedark。WeareintheBoxTunnel。
***
Thereisthelightagain：andnowIsupposeyouwillfindyourtongue。
Howlongitseemedbeforewecameout！
Yes，becauseyouwerewaitingandwatching，withnothingtolookat：butthetunnelisonlyamileandaquarterlongafterall，I
believe。Ifyouhadbeenlookingatfieldsandhedgerowsallthewhile，youwouldhavethoughtnotimeatallhadpassed。
Whatcurioussandyrocksoneachsideofthecutting，inlinesandlayers。
Thosearethefreestonestill：andfulloffossilstheyare。Butdoyouseethattheydipawayfromus？Rememberthat。Alltherocksareslopingeastward，thewaywearegoing；andeachnewrockorsoilwecometoliesonthetopoftheonebeforeit。Nowweshallrundownhillformanyamile，downthebackoftheoolites，pastprettyChippenham，andWootton—Bassett，towardsSwindonspire。Lookatthecountry，child；andthankGodforthisfairEnglishland，inwhichyourlotiscast。
Whatbeautifulgreenfields；andsuchhugeelmtrees；andorchards；andflowersinthecottagegardens！
Ay，andwhatcrops，too：whatwheatandbeans，turnipsandmangold。Allthislandisveryrichandeasilyworked；andhereaboutsissomeofthebestfarminginEngland。TheAgriculturalCollegeatCirencester，ofwhichyouhavesooftenheard，liesthereaway，afewmilestoourleft；andthereladsgotolearntofarmasnomenintheworld，saveEnglishandScotch，knowhowtofarm。
Butwhatrockareweonnow？
Onrockthatismuchsofterthanthatontheothersideoftheoolitehills：muchsofter，becauseitismuchnewer。WehavegotofftheoolitesontowhatiscalledtheOxfordclay；andthen，I
believe，ontotheCoralrag，andonthatagainlieswhatwearecomingtonow。Doyouseetheredsandinthatfield？
Thenthatisthelowestlayerofafreshworld，sotospeak；aworldstillyoungerthantheoolites——thechalkworld。
Butthatisnotchalk，oranythinglikeit。
No，thatiswhatiscalledGreensand。
Butitisnotgreen，itisred。
Iknow：butyearsagoitgotthenamefromonegreenveininit，inwhichthe"Coprolites，"asyoulearnttocallthematCambridge，arefound；andthat，andalittlelayerofblueclay，calledgault，betweentheupperGreensandandlowerGreensand，runsalongeverywhereatthefootofthechalkhills。
Iseethehillsnow。Aretheychalk？
Yes，chalktheyare：sowemaybegintofeelnearhomenow。SeehowtheyrangeawaytothesouthtowardDevizes，andWestbury，andWarminster，agoodlylandandlarge。Attheirfeet，everywhere，runtherichpasturesonwhichtheWiltshirecheeseismade；andhereandthere，asatWestbury，thereisgoodiron—oreinthegreensand，whichisbeingsmeltednow，asitusedtobeintheWealdofSurreyandKentagessince。Imusttellyouaboutthatsomeothertime。
ButarethereCoproliteshere？
Ibelievethereare：IknowtherearesomeatSwindon；andIdonotseewhytheyshouldnotbefound，hereandthere，allthewayalongthefootofthedowns，fromheretoCambridge。
ButdothesedownsgotoCambridge？
Ofcoursetheydo。WearenowinthegreatvalleywhichrunsrightacrossEnglandfromsouth—westtonorth—east，fromAxminsterinDevonshiretoHunstantoninNorfolk，withthechalkalwaysonyourrighthand，andtheoolitehillsonyourleft，tillitendsbysinkingintothesea，amongthefensofLincolnshireandNorfolk。
Butwhatmadethatgreatvalley？
Iamnotlearnedenoughtotell。OnlythisIthinkwecansay——
thatonceonatimethesechalkdownsonourrightreachedhighoverourheadshere，andfartothenorth；andthatMadamHowparedthemaway，whetherbyicebergs，orbysea—waves，ormerelybyrain，Icannottell。
Well，thosedownsdolookverylikesea—cliffs。
Sotheydo，verylikeanoldshore—line。Bethatasitmay，afterthechalkwaseatenaway，MadamHowbegandiggingintothesoilsbelowthechalk，onwhichwearenow；andbecausetheyweremostlysoftclays，shecutthemoutveryeasily，tillshecamedown，ornearlydown，totheharderfreestonerockswhichrunalongonourlefthand，milesaway；andsoshescoopedoutthisgreatvale，whichwecallheretheValeofWhiteHorse；andfurtheron，theValeofAylesbury；andthentheBedfordLevel；andthenthedearuglyoldFens。
IsthistheValeofWhiteHorse？Oh，Iknowaboutit；IhavereadTheScouringoftheWhiteHorse。
Ofcourseyouhave；andwhenyouareolderyouwillreadajollierbookstill，——TomBrown’sSchoolDays——andwhenwehavepassedSwindon，weshallseesomeoftheveryplacesdescribedinit，closeonourright。
***
ThereistheWhiteHorseHill。
TheWhiteHorseHill？Butwhereisthehorse？Icanseeabitofhim：buthedoesnotlooklikeahorsefromhere，orindeedfromanyotherplace；heisaveryoldhorseindeed，andathousandyearsofwindandrainhavespoilthisanatomyagooddealonthetopofthatwilddown。
AndisthatreallywhereAlfredfoughttheDanes？
Ascertainly，boy，Ibelieve，asthatWaterlooiswheretheDukefoughtNapoleon。Yes：youmaywellstareatitwithallyoureyes，thenobledown。ItisoneofthemostsacredspotsonEnglishsoil。
Ah，itisgonenow。Thetrainrunssofast。
Soitdoes；toofasttoletyoulooklongatonething：butinreturn，itletsyouseesomanymorethingsinagiventimethantheslowoldcoachesandpostersdid。——Well？whatisit？
Iwantedtoaskyouaquestion，butyouwon’tlistentome。
Won’tI？IsupposeIwasdreamingwithmyeyesopen。Yousee，I
havebeensooftenalongthisline——andthroughthiscountry，too，longbeforethelinewasmade——thatIcannotpassitwithoutitsseemingfullofmemories——perhapsofghosts。
Ofrealghosts？
Asrealghosts，Isuspect，asanyoneoneartheversaw；facesandsceneswhichhaveprintedthemselvessodeeplyonone’sbrain，thatwhenonepassesthesameplace，longyearsafter，theystartupagain，outoffieldsandroadsides，asiftheywerealiveoncemore，andneedsoundsensetosendthembackagainintotheirplaceasthingswhicharepastforever，forgoodandill。Butwhatdidyouwanttoknow？
Why，Iamsotiredoflookingoutofthewindow。Itisallthesame：fieldsandhedges，hedgesandfields；andIwanttotalk。
Fieldsandhedges，hedgesandfields？Peaceandplenty，plentyandpeace。However，itmayseemdull，nowthatthegrassiscut；
butyouwouldnothavesaidsotwomonthsago，whenthefieldswereallgolden—greenwithbuttercups，andthewhitethornhedgeslikecrestedwavesofsnow。IshouldliketotakeaforeignerdowntheValeofBerkshireintheendofMay，andaskhimwhathethoughtofoldEngland。Butwhatshallwetalkabout？
IwanttoknowaboutCoprolites，iftheydigthemhere，astheydoatCambridge。
Idon’tthinktheydo。ButIsuspecttheywillsomeday。
Butwhydopeopledigthem？
Becausetheyarerationalmen，andwantmanurefortheirfields。
ButwhatareCoprolites？
Well，theywerecalledCoprolitesatfirstbecausesomefolkfanciedtheyweretheleavingsoffossilanimals，suchasyoumayreallyfindintheliasatLynninDorsetshire。Buttheyarenotthat；andallwecansayis，thatalongtimeago，beforethechalkbegantobemade，therewasashallowseainEngland，theshoreofwhichwassocoveredwithdeadanimals，thatthebone—
earth（thephosphateoflime）outofthemcrusteditselfroundeverybone，andshell，anddeadsea—beastontheshore，andgotcoveredupwithfreshsand，andburiedforagesasamineofwealth。
Buthowmanymillionsofdeadcreatures，theremusthavebeen！
Whatkilledthem？
Wedonotknow。Nomoredoweknowhowitcomestopassthatthisthinband（oftenonlyafewinchesthick）ofdeadcreaturesshouldstretchallthewayfromDorsetshiretoNorfolk，and，Ibelieve，upthroughLincolnshire。Andwhatisstrangerstill，thissamebone—earthbedcropsoutonthesouthsideofthechalkatFarnham，andstretchesalongthefootofthosedowns，rightintoKent，makingtherichesthoplandsinEngland，throughSurrey，andawaytoTunbridge。Sothatitseemsasifthebedlayunderthechalkeverywhere，ifoncewecouldgetdowntoit。
Buthowdoesitmakethehoplandssorich？
Becausehops，liketobaccoandvines，takemorephosphorusoutofthesoilthananyotherplantswhichwegrowinEngland；anditisthewashingsofthisbone—earthbedwhichmakethelowerlandsinFarnhamsounusuallyrich，thatinsomeofthem——thegarden，forinstance，undertheBishop’scastle——havegrownhopswithoutresting，Ibelieve，forthreehundredyears。
ButwhofoundoutallthisabouttheCoprolites？
Ah——Iwilltellyou；andshowyouhowscientificmen，whomignorantpeoplesometimeslaughatasdreamers，andmerepickersupofuselessweedsandoldstones，maydorealservicetotheircountryandtheircountrymen，asIhopeyouwillsomeday。
TherewasaclergymannamedHenslow，nowwithGod，honouredbyallscientificmen，akindfriendandteacherofmine，lovedbyeverylittlechildinhisparish。Hiscallingwasbotany：butheknewsomethingofgeology。AndsomeoftheseCoproliteswerebroughthimascuriosities，becausetheyhadfossilsinthem。Buthe（sothetalegoes）hadthewittoseethattheywerenot，likeotherfossils，carbonateoflime，butphosphateoflime——boneearth。
Whereonhetoldtheneighbouringfarmersthattheyhadamineofwealthopenedtothem，iftheywouldbutusethemformanure。Andafterawhilehewaslistenedto。ThenothersbegantofindthemintheEasterncounties；andthenanotherman，aslearnedandwiseashewasgoodandnoble——JohnPaineofFarnham，alsonowwithGod——foundthemonhisownestate，andmademuchuseandmuchmoneyofthem：andnowtensofthousandsofpounds’worthofvaluablemanurearemadeoutofthemeveryyear，inCambridgeshireandBedfordshire，bydiggingthemoutoflandwhichwastilllatelyonlyusedforcommonfarmers’crops。
ButhowdotheyturnCoprolitesintomanure？IusedtoseethemintherailwaytrucksatCambridge，andtheywerealllikewhatI
haveathome——hardpebbles。
Theygrindthemfirstinamill。Thentheymixthemwithsulphuricacidandwater，andthatmeltsthemdown，andpartsthemintotwothings。Oneissulphateoflime（gypsum，asitiscommonlycalled），andwhichwillnotdissolveinwater，andisoflittleuse。Buttheotheriswhatiscalledsuperphosphateoflime，whichwilldissolveinwater；sothattherootsoftheplantscansuckitup：andthatisoneoftherichestofmanures。
Oh，Iknow：youputsuperphosphateonthegrasslastyear。
Yes。Butnotthatkind；abetteronestill。ThesuperphosphatefromtheCopiolitesisgood；butthesuperphosphatefromfreshbonesisbetterstill，andthereforedearer，becauseithasinitthefibrineofthebones，whichisfullofnitrogen，likegristleormeat；andallthathasbeenwashedoutofthebone—earthbedagesandagesago。Butyoumustlearnsomechemistrytounderstandthat。
Ishouldliketobeascientificman，ifonecanfindoutsuchreallyusefulthingsbyscience。
Child，thereisnosayingwhatyoumightfindout，orofwhatuseyoumaybetoyourfellow—men。Amanworkingatscience，howeverdullanddirtyhisworkmayseemattimes，islikeoneofthose"chiffoniers，"astheycalltheminParis——peoplewhospendtheirlivesingatheringragsandsiftingrefuse，butwhomayputtheirhandsatanymomentuponsomepreciousjewel。Andnotonlymayyoubeabletohelpyourneighbourstofindoutwhatwillgivethemhealthandwealth：butyoumay，ifyoucanonlygetthemtolistentoyou，savethemfrommanyafoolishexperiment，whichendsinlosingmoneyjustforwantofscience。Ihaveheardofamanwho，forwantofscience，wasgoingtothrowawaygreatsums（Ibelievehe，luckilyforhim，nevercouldraisethemoney）inboringforcoalinourBagshotsandsathome。ThemanthoughtthatbecausetherewascoalundertheheathermoorsintheNorth，theremustneedsbecoalherelikewise，whenageologistcouldhavetoldhimthecontrary。TherewasanothermanatHennequin’sLodge，neartheWellingtonCollege，whothoughthewouldmakethepoorsandsfertilebymanuringthemwithwhaleoil，ofallthingsintheworld。Sohenotonlylostallthecostofhiswhaleoil，butmadethelandutterlybarren，asitisuntothisday；andallforwantofscience。
AndIknewamanufacturer，too，whowenttoboreanArtesianwellforwater，andhiredaregularwell—borertodoit。But，meanwhilehewaswiseenoughtoaskageologistofthosepartshowfarhethoughtitwasdowntothewater。Thegeologistmadehiscalculations，andsaid：
"YouwillgothroughsomanyfeetofBagshotsand；andsomanyfeetofLondonclay；andsomanyfeetoftheThanetbedsbetweenthemandthechalk：andthenyouwillwinwater，atabout412
feet；butnot，Ithink，tillthen。"
Thewell—sinkerlaughedatthat，andsaid，"Hehadnoopinionofgeologists，andsuch—like。HeneverfoundanyclayinEnglandbutwhathecouldgetthroughin150feet。"
Sohebegantobore——150feet，200，300：andthenhebegantolookrathersilly；atlast，at405——onlysevenfeetshortofwhatthegeologisthadforetold——upcamethewaterinaregularspout。
But，loandbehold，notexpectingtohavetoboresodeep，hehadmadehisboremuchtoosmall；andthesandoutoftheThanetbeds"blewup"intothebore，andclosedit。Thepoormanufacturerspenthundredsofpoundsmoreintryingtogetthesandout，butinvain；andhehadatlasttomakeafreshandmuchlargerwellbythesideoftheoldone，bewailingthedaywhenhelistenedtothewell—sinkerandnottothegeologist，andsothrewawaymorethanathousandpounds。Andthereisananswertowhatyouaskedonboardtheyacht——Whatusewasthereinlearninglittlemattersofnaturalhistoryandscience，whichseemedofnouseatall？
Andnow，lookoutagain。Doyouseeanychangeinthecountry？
What？
Why，theretotheleft。
Therearehighhillstherenow，aswellastotheright。Whatarethey？
Chalkhillstoo。Thechalkisonbothsidesofusnow。ThesearetheChilterns，allawaytoIpsdenandNettlebed，andsoonacrossOxfordshireandBuckinghamshire，andintoHertfordshire；andonagaintoRoystonandCambridge，whilebelowthemliestheValeofAylesbury；youcanjustseethebeginningofitontheirleft。A
pleasantlandarethosehills，andwealthy；fullofnoblehousesburiedinthedeepbeech—woods，whichoncewereagreatforest，stretchinginaringroundthenorthofLondon，fullofdeerandboar，andofwildbullstoo，evenaslateasthetwelfthcentury，accordingtotheoldlegendofThomaseBecket’sfatherandthefairSaracen，whichyouhaveoftenheard。
Iknow。Buthowareyougoingtogetthroughthechalkhills？IsthereatunnelasthereisatBoxandatMicheldever？
No。Somethingmuchprettierthanatunnelandsomethingwhichtookagreatmanyyearslongerinmaking。Weshallsoonmeetwithaveryremarkableandfamousoldgentleman，whoisagreatadeptatdigging，andatlandscapegardeninglikewise；andhehasdugoutapathforhimselfthroughthechalk，whichweshalltakethelibertyofusingalso。Andhisname，ifyouwishtoknowit，isFatherThames。
Iseehim。Whatagreatriver！
Yes。Herehecomes，gleamingandwindingdownfromOxford，overthelowlands，pastWallingford；butwhereheisgoingtoitisnotsoeasytosee。
Ah，hereischalkinthecuttingatlast。Andwhatahighbridge。
Andtheriverfarunderourfeet。Whywearecrossinghimagain！
Yes；hewindsmoresharplythanarailroadcan。Butisnotthisprettierthanatunnel？
Oh，whathanging—woods，andchurches；andsuchgreathouses，andprettycottagesandgardens——allinthisnarrowcrackofavalley！
Ay。OldFatherThamesisagoodlandscapegardener，asIsaid。
ThereisBasildon——andHurley——andPangbourne，withitsroaringlasher。FatherThameshashadtoworkhardformanyanagebeforehecouldcutthistrenchrightthroughthechalk，anddrainthewateroutoftheflatvalebehindus。ButIsuspecttheseahelpedhimsomewhat，orperhapsagreatdeal，justwherewearenow。
Thesea？
Yes。Theseawasonce——andthatnotsoverylongago——rightuphere，beyondReading。ThisistheuppermostendofthegreatThamesvalley，whichmusthavebeenanestuary——atideflat，likethemouthoftheSevern，withtheseaeatingalongatthefootofallthehills。Andifthelandsunkonlysomefiftyfeet，——whichisaverylittleindeed，child，inthishuge，ever—changingworld，——thenthetidewouldcomeuptoReadingagain，andthegreaterpartofLondonandthecountyofMiddlesexbedrownedinsaltwater。
Howdreadfulthatwouldbe！
Dreadfulindeed。Godgrantthatitmayneverhappen。Moreterriblechangesoflandandwaterhavehappened，andarehappeningstillintheworld：butnone，Ithink，couldhappenwhichwoulddestroysomuchcivilisationandbesuchalosstomankind，asthattheThamesvalleyshouldbecomeagainwhatitwas，geologicallyspeaking，onlytheotherday，whenthesegravelbanks，overwhichwearerunningtoReading，werebeingwashedoutofthechalkcliffsupaboveateverytide，androlledonabeach，asyouhaveseenthemrollingstillatRamsgate。
NowhereweareatReading。Thereisthecarriagewaiting，andawayweareoffhome；andwhenwegethome，andhaveseeneverybodyandeverything，wewilllookoveroursectiononcemore。
Butremember，thatwhenyouranthroughthechalkhillstoReading，youpassedfromthebottomofthechalktothetopofit，ontotheThamesgravels，whichliethereonthechalk，andontotheLondonclay，whichliesonthechalkalso，withtheThamesgravelsalwaysoverit。Sothat，yousee，thenewestlayers，theLondonclayandthegravels，arelowerinheightthanthelimestonecliffsatBristol，andmuchlowerthantheoldmountainrangesofDevonshireandWales，thoughingeologicalordertheyarefarhigher；andtherearewholeworldsofstrata，rocksandclays，oneontheother，betweentheThamesgravelsandtheDevonshirehills。
Buthowaboutourmoors？Theyarenewerstill，yousaid，thantheLondonclay，becausetheylieuponit：andyettheyaremuchhigherthanwearehereatReading。
Verywellsaid：sotheyare，twoorthreehundredfeethigher。
Butourpartofthemwasleftbehind，standingupinbanks，whilethevalleyoftheThameswasbeingcutoutbythesea。Oncetheyspreadalloverwherewestandnow，andawaybehindusbeyondNewburyinBerkshire，andawayinfrontofus，alloverwhereLondonnowstands。
Howcanyoutellthat？
Becausetherearelittlecaps——littlepatches——ofthemleftonthetopsofmanyhillstothenorthofLondon；justremnantswhichthesea，andtheThames，andtherainhavenoteatendown。Probablytheyoncestretchedrightouttosea，slopingslowlyunderthewaves，wherethemouthoftheThamesisnow。Youknowthesand—
cliffsatBournemouth？
Ofcourse。
ThenthoseareofthesameageastheBagshotsands，andlieontheLondonclay，andslopedownofftheNewForestintothesea，whicheatsthemup，asyouknow，yearbyyearanddaybyday。Andherewereonceperhapscliffsjustlikethem，whereLondonBridgenowstands。
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There，wearerumblingawayhomeatlast，overthedearoldheather—moors。Howfarwehavetravelled——inourfancyatleast——
sincewebegantotalkaboutallthesethings，uponthefoggyNovemberday，andfirstsawMadamHowdiggingatthesand—bankswithherwater—spade。Howmanycountrieswehavetalkedof；andwhatwonderfulquestionswehavegotanswered，whichallgrewoutofthefirstquestion，Howweretheheather—moorsmade？Andyetwehavenottalkedaboutahundredthpartofthethingsaboutwhichtheseveryheather—moorsoughttosetusthinking。Butsoitis，child。ThosewhowishhonestlytolearnthelawsofMadamHow，whichwecallNature，bylookinghonestlyatwhatshedoes，whichwecallFact，haveonlytobeginbylookingattheverysmallestthing，pin’sheadorpebble，attheirfeet，anditmayleadthem——whither，theycannottell。Toansweranyonequestion，youfindyoumustansweranother；andtoanswerthatyoumustanswerathird，andthenafourth；andsoonforeverandever。
Foreverandever？
Ofcourse。IfwethoughtandsearchedovertheUniverse——ay，I
believe，onlyoverthisonelittleplanetcalledearth——formillionsonmillionsofyears，weshouldnotgettotheendofoursearching。Themorewelearnt，themoreweshouldfindtherewaslefttolearn。Allthings，weshouldfind，areconstitutedaccordingtoaDivineandWonderfulOrder，whichlinkseachthingtoeveryotherthing；sothatwecannotfullycomprehendanyonethingwithoutcomprehendingallthings：andwhocandothat，saveHewhomadeallthings？Thereforeourtruewisdomisnevertofancythatwedocomprehend：nevertomakesystemsandtheoriesoftheUniverse（astheyarecalled）asifwehadstoodbyandlookedonwhentimeandspacebegantobe；buttorememberthatthosewhosaytheyunderstand，show，simplybysosaying，thattheyunderstandnothingatall；thatthosewhosaytheysee，aresuretobeblind；whilethosewhoconfessthattheyareblind，aresuresomedaytosee。Allwecandois，tokeepupthechildlikeheart，humbleandteachable，thoughwegrewaswiseasNewtonorasHumboldt；andtofollow，asgoodSocratesbidsus，Reasonwhithersoeveritleadsus，surethatitwillneverleaduswrong，unlesswehavedarkeneditbyhastyandconceitedfanciesofourown，andsohavebecomelikethosefoolishmenofold，ofwhomitwassaidthattheverylightwithinthemwasdarkness。ButifweloveandreverenceandtrustFactandNature，whicharethewill，notmerelyofMadamHow，orevenofLadyWhy，butofAlmightyGodHimself，thenweshallbereallyloving，andreverencing，andtrustingGod；andweshallhaveourrewardbydiscoveringcontinuallyfreshwondersandfreshbenefitstoman；andfinditastrueofscience，asitisofthislifeandofthelifetocome—
—thateyehathnotseen，norearheard，norhathitenteredintotheheartofmantoconceive，whatGodhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim。
Footnotes：
{1}IcouldnotresistthetemptationofquotingthissplendidgeneralisationfromDr。Carpenter’sPreliminaryReportoftheDredgingOperationsofH。M。S。"Lightening，"1868。Heattributesit，generously，tohiscolleague，Dr。WyvilleThomson。Beitwhoseitmay，itwillmark（aswillprobablythewholeReportwhencompleted）anewerainBio—Geology。