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THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

CHARLES KENDAL BUSHE,

CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH

IN IRELAND,

THE FOLLOWING DISCOURSES ARE INSCRIBED,

AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE:

THAT PAID TO ACCOMPLISHMENTS,

WHICH DIGNIFY THE RELATIONS OF PUBLIC

IN THE SAME MEASURE

THAT THEY ADORN THOSE OF PRIVATE LIFE;

THIS EXCITED BY ATTENTIONS,

WHICH TO THE LABOURER IN LITERATURE

ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE,

MORE ESPECIALLY

WHEN

BESTOWED IN THE LIKE SPIRIT THAT THEY ARE RECEIVED,

WITHOUT OSTENTATION ON THE ONE HAND,

OR COMPROMISE OF FEELING

ON THE OTHER.

PREFACE.

THE Discourses now submitted to public notice form part of a series, which was preached in the year preceding last before the University of Dublin, in consequence of the appointment of their author to the office of Donnelan Lecturer. The period which has elapsed since their delivery has been one of constant professional and official avocation; a circumstance mentioned to account for the delay which has attended their preparation for the press.

Their purport (as announced at the time of his nomination) is, to connect the Biblical Records of Creation, as closely as their language and arrangement admit, with Physical Science; and to estimate the degree of evidence which arises out of the comparison, of the inspiration of their Author.

The details into which they enter have at all times attracted much attention; more

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particularly those which involve the consideration of the mineral structure of the globe, since Geology, forsaking its uncertain speculations, has assumed its rank amongst the sciences. They suggested themselves, in consequence, to the author, at an early period of his literary career, as fit subjects of research, comprising so much in their respective pursuits to engage the consideration of the Naturalist and the Theologian.

The causes which have led to this have assumed of late an influence still more extended. The physiology of our planet numbers amongst its students persons of the highest eminence in the scientific world, and is, owing to their exertions, in rapid progress to maturity. From this, independently of its direct results, a collateral good has arisen. Each fresh accession of light has served on the whole to connect it more and more with the Mosaic Records; through the feelings so invariably connected with which an additional interest has been excited, and the spirit of inquiry preserved. The proof of this exists in many of the ablest productions of the present day, in the respective walks of the Divine and the