Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1750 edition. Excerpt: ...of that Immortality with which wfc may flatter ourfelves here beloiv, and of a Space, "which tho' fhort yet appears a Kind of Eternity, in rthe Eyes of human Weaknerfe, If the Names of lltirtye arid Africa are ftill Iafl ing, if that of America will laft for u great Number of Ages, as we cannot doubt; why: ftiould: not the Name-of him be immortal, 'who fhould teach inadvertent Men prejudiced in Favour of the contrary Opinion, that this-Globe which they inhabit has been formed in the Bofom df the Sea, and afterwards fliew, by the Diminution of the Waters, how long it is fince the Earth appeared above them, and QW ipng it has been inhabited? x After After the Example of my Grandfather, feveral Governors of Sea-port Towns, and a great Number of private Perfons who have Habitations on the Sea-fhore, have eftablifhed fimilar Menfurations. Some have placed in the Sea, on Rocks inferior to her Surface, Pillars, on the Top of which they have accurately marked the aftual Height of her Waters. Others have raifed Rocks fuperior to her Surface, and equalled them with it, affixing at the fame Time Plates of Marble, which teftify the Year in which fiich Works were produced. Some have on fteep Rocks, againft which fhe ftill beats, marked the prefent Height of her Waters, and above it written this Obfervation and its Date, after having at divers Times obferved the Elevation of her Waves. Others have dug Wells in Rocks fcreened from the Agitation of the Sea, and in certain Grounds almoft like thofe which my Grandfather made choice of. Experiments of a hundred different Kinds have been made, and we have Reafon to hope, that fome of thefe Teftimonies will fubfift long enough, to triumph over the Incredulity of Men with refpeft to the Diminution of the b'ea, ...
