It must be evident, that if this philosopher has seen good reason for
concluding such a softening cause, which had operated upon the primary
parts, to be quite different from that which he ascribes to the
consolidation of the secondary, which is the effect of water, it must
then, I say, be evident that the softening cause of the primary parts,
if not heat, by which every degree of fusion may be produced, must be an
occult cause, one which cannot be admitted into natural philosophy.
By thus choosing to consider mountains as of two distinct kinds, one
aquiform which is understood, and the other primordial which is not to
be known, we supersede the necessity of reconciling a theory with many
appearances in nature which otherwise might be extremely inconvenient
to our explanation, if not inconsistent with our system. Our author no
doubt has thus relieved himself from a considerable difficulty in the
philosophy of this earth, by saying here is a great part which is not
to be explained. But I would beg leave to observe, that this form of
discussion, with regard to a physical subject, is but a mere confession
of our ignorance, and has no tendency to clear up another part of the
subject of which one treats, however it may impress us with a favourable
opinion of the theorist, in allowing him all the candour of the
acknowledgement.
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