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An Explication of the Chief Geological Phenomena of the Globe by Proofs of Periodical Changes of the Earth's Axis. Embracing a Theory, founded on Geographical Facts, on the True Geological Formation of Carboniferous Mineral
Preface by William Bassett Walker, M.R.S.V. 1871 The want of a book which should impart advanced
information regarding the chief geological phenomena of the globe,
derived from the latest discoveries, whether physical facts or
mathematical inductions, has been the incentive on the part of the
Author to produce this work, which he hopes will not only merit public
favour, and lead to a general adoption of the opinions set forth, but
that it will also open up fresh fields of inquiry, and elicit new modes
of thought, which shall reconcile some of the geological puzzles which
constitute our present accepted systems of Geology, with those phenomena
that reason may assure us are indubitable facts. The Author is conscious that he will meet with
dissentient remarks from leading geologists; but he trusts that even
they may be induced to pause in holding fast to their theory that
carboniferous formations are the result of vegetable matter grown in
situ. As far as the Author is aware, he claims to be the first writer
who has pointed out the remarkable geographical position occupied by the
coal-fields of the world as bearing testimony to the theory of deluge
epochs, as demonstrated by M. Alphonse Adhemar. Geologists admit the advent of Man on the earth from
far distant ages, yet we universally find him a savage, except in
Central Asia, where the "Rig-Veda",
said, by learned Sanscrit scholars, to be the oldest record of man,**
exhibits the Hindoos as possessing an elevated philosophy, a yearning
aspiration to adopt a Godhead worthy of their holy adoration, and who
then possessed a civilization which casts into the shade that -now
ruling, after a lapse of fifty centuries. If we also take into
consideration the arts and sciences which must have accompanied the high
civilization of that ancient people, may we not reasonably inquire why
its waves of divergence had not spread in wider circles than we know
them to have done, had there not been some great benumbing catastrophe
which overtook man, and which only permitted a remnant to escape in the
quarter of the globe indicated? It is also remarkably significant, and
especially so in the book referred to, that, going back to a period of
forty centuries, there ever hangs an impenetrable curtain of darkness,
behind which we cannot further explore the early history of Man;
although directly on this side of that gulf of silence, we find him
surrounded with a high civilization, accompanied with a holy, lofty, and
sublime worship of one Supreme Being. How then, we may fairly ask, are
we to read this archaeological enigma, except by the adoption of the
theory of cyclical deluges which have left so many acknowledged
landmarks of their diluvial agency? In the following pages the Author believes that a
key will be found to unlock many of the mysteries which at present beset
the study of terrestrial phenomena; and that, amongst others, when the
high civilization attained, in non-carboniferous portions of the globe,
such as Central Asia, which bespeaks a high antiquity, is considered in
relation to the fact that at the sites of the coal-fields of the world
Man appears to have last emerged from barbarism. The repellant
Malthusian theory will no longer be received as an axiom, that
"Providence has ordained periodical wars, and
pestilence and famine, as the Divine instruments of checking the
otherwise inevitable superabundant population of the earth."
Who shall presume to set bounds to Infinity?
p.45*
"Thus to have a clear idea of the case whilst the Austral autumnal
equinox goes backward towards the perihelion, the perihelion, in
consequence of the gradual motion of the earth's axis, comes forward to
meet that equinox. The effect of the displacement of the line of axis
is, therefore, a shortening of the duration of the revolution of the
equinoxes, abbreviating it, in round numbers, to 21,000 years;
consequently, every 10,500 years the order of the
seasons in the two hemispheres is reversed in respect to the equinoctial
and solsticial points that is, the dates when spring, summer, autumn,
and winter begin."
p.140*
We close this book by giving a short account of the Deluge dates put
forward by various nations and authors of the same.
We also think that
the day will arrive when the great Gizeh Pyramid will be found to have
been built as a warning guide to man. The Deluge was threatened in the
year of the Hebrew world 1536, and began December 7th, 1656, and
continued 377 days. The Ark rested on Mount Ararat, May 6th, 1657; and
Noah left the Ark December 18 following. The year corresponds with that
of 2348 B.C. (Blair). The following are the epochs of the Deluge
according to Dr. Hales: Adhemar, B.C. 2330
1. Septuagmt 3246 Editor's Note: *The date is missing from the table in the book, of what I shall insert in this review, of 2241 [Latch]. An 89 year difference from 2330. But, in using 2241 [Latch], it more closley matches "Hebrew 2288", by a 47 year difference, and would take place holder 16, moving down "Vulgar Jewish 2104" to place holder 17. As I have said before, "Take notice please". ** 3,000 B.C. //∞\\ |