Man, as known to us theologically and geologically - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1834 Excerpt: ... CONSUMPTION OF METALS. 179 but the conclusion he draws is sufficient for our purposes. It was calculated long ago, that in the town of Birmingham alone, the quantity of gold and silver annually employed in gilding and plating, and thereby disqualified from ever afterwards appearing in the shape of those metals, amounted to more than 50,000Z. sterling, equal to the one hundred and twentieth part of the whole annual importation of those metals into Europe at the rate of six millions a year. Taking Europe and America together, it has been more recently calculated that about 8,700,000/. of new metal are annually devoted to ornamental and luxurious purposes. The geologists will tell us that according to the order of things, nature is constantly employed in repairing her own destructive operations on the face of the earth, and that whatever of waste and decay may seem to be befalling our present continents, we may be sure that there are new continents always preparing at the bottom of the sea, to serve the purposes and administer to the wants of future generations; so that if the gold of our Arabia be lost for a time, and Birmingham should come to be distressed for coals, or through a deficiency of the precious metals, for gilding and plating, before long, new Arabias and new Birminghams will be raised above the waters of the sea, with all necessary accompaniments it may be presumed of a fresh supply of coals, gold, and silver; that is, if nature be as much bound to repair the deISO DECREASE OF ANIMALS. the mineral regions below granite; not likely therefore to be renewable very easily or quietly, or exactly when a fresh supply may be wanted. Perhaps, however, if former continents sunk at the Deluge, and the bed of the sea were elevated, the abundance of minerals...