liveth and abideth for ever." The latter, indeed, needs not the former, but stands upon grounds quite independent of it, impregnable in its evidence, and unimpeachable in its authority, armed with its own motives and sanctions, of sufficient weight to exact a prompt and implicit compliance with its demands, Nevertheless we, frail and infirm, to whom it is a matter of difficulty to walk "as seeing Him who is invisible," may derive valuable aid in doing so from the analogy of his works and word, and may have the invisible things of God more deeply impressed upon us by thoughtful consideration of the things that are made, unfolding singular displays of beauty and majesty, intelligence and power, commending to our reverence the inspired records of his matchless perfection and ineffable glory.

Though but a small portion of the great and immeasurable scheme of Jehovah's empire, the earth is an integral part of it, one of its minor provinces, the workmanship of his hand, and the object of his care. To recognise this relationship, and mark the product because of the Artificer, are among the duties of religion. Hence it has been mentioned, as a characteristic

of the impious, that "they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." Faculties of observation have been given unto us to be employed, and the scenic glories of nature-its curious, beautiful, and imposing formations, with its endless and admirable adaptations to useful purposes-will amply repay investigation.

The mind of the present age, indeed, wants no excitement to the study of natural phenomena. The appetite for it is strong and extensive, and its cravings are met by a cheap literature, replete with accurate information, interesting details, and elegant composition. But while the stores of the material world are ransacked, and its "works," confessed to be "great," are "sought out of all them that have pleasure therein," they are too often viewed altogether apart from their grand distinction and highest office, that of being His works whose we are, intended and adapted to lead the mind in adoration and reverence to the one God and Father of all. Thus instead of officiating-like the ladder in the dream of the patriarch-as a medium of communication, conducting the thoughts of the inquirer from earth to heaven, from the sensible to the

spiritual-the materialities around us, handled in the spirit of a philosophical paganism, become so many barriers of interception, hiding from the view of dependent creatures, the Framer of their habitation, and the Source of their blessings, who ought to be the supreme and constant object of gratitude, submission, affection, trust, and hope. The laws of nature are spoken of, in surveying the great plan of the universe, or its minor details, and with perfect propriety, as proximate instrumentalities. But, upon

rational principles, thought cannot end here. Laws are not accidents, neither are they selfexecutive, but necessarily imply, in their action and effectiveness, the existence and administration of a lawgiver. The following pages, devoted to an interesting and important geographical feature, recognise this sentiment, and

"Earth, with its caverns dark and deep,"

will supply examples of benign adaptation in apparent disorder, illustrative of the wisdom, goodness, and power, of its Creator, Preserver, and Lord. To make acquaintance with such examples is the peculiar right of the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, for the "world" is a stated part of the

property belonging to its members, of which "all are yours" is the grand summary. "The earth is the Lord's ;" and receiving the atonsment provided for its transgressing "nations, and kindreds, and people," the medium of personal reconcilement to its Divine Author, it belongs to those who thus become "Christ's" to regard it as one of the "many mansions" of the "Father's house," whose interesting demonstrations of might and majesty may be viewed as supplying materials for present confidence and delightful anticipation.

CHAPTER II.

STRUCTURE OF CAVERNS.

Natural excavations-Three classes-Vertical cavities-EldonHoie-Hobbes and Cotton-Earl of Leicester-Descent by Mr. Lloyd-Natural shafts- Cwm Porth, in Wales - Tschingel peak -Chambered caverns-Castleton - Imitations - Labyrinths in Egypt and Crete-Law of variety.

In hilly countries, especially those which assume a decidedly mountainous character, and where the superficial formations consist of limestone, we meet with natural cavities, of various form, dimensions, and disposition. Some are vertical openings in the surface. Others follow a horizontal direction in the sides of the hills, but are marked with great diversity in their inclination. These are the "depths," the

grottoes.

deep places of the earth," and the "clefts of the rock," spoken of in sacred writ, which pass under the denomination of caverns, caves, and Indifferently as these terms are commonly used, they might each receive a distinct application, which, for the sake of precision, should be observed. We might restrict the term grotto to perforations of the simplest