Volcanos are natural to the globe, as general operations; but we are
not to consider nature as having a burning mountain for an end in her
intention, or as a principal purpose in the general system of this
world. The end of nature in placing an internal fire or power of heat,
and a force of irresistible expansion, in the body of this earth, is to
consolidate the sediment collected at the bottom of the sea, and to form
thereof a mass of permanent land above the level of the ocean, for the
purpose of maintaining plants and animals. The power appointed for this
purpose is, as on all other occasions, where the operation is important,
and where there is any danger of a shortcoming, wisely provided
in abundance; and there are contrived means for disposing of the
redundancy. These, in the present case, are our volcanos.
A volcano is not made on purpose to frighten superstitious people
into fits of piety and devotion, nor to overwhelm devoted cities with
destruction; a volcano should be considered as a spiracle to the
subterranean furnace, in order to prevent the unnecessary elevation of
land, and fatal effects of earthquakes; and we may rest assured, that
they, in general, wisely answer the end of their intention, without
being in themselves an end, for which nature had exerted such amazing
power and excellent contrivance.
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