The Arkansas banner., 1844-11-20
CoMMUNICATIONs
For Me banaer. C'I' AfpE Cn

MEssRs. EDIToRs.-The Subject of Ge. ology Is topick of which, much is said. a thls period yea, much more than is rightly understood, That Geology is a science. a the present period, or ever will arrive at tba degree of emmence in the family of sciences can scarcely be admitted. Any principle O, data that can be obtained on subterraneous calculations and descriptions, can be little else, at best, than speculation or visionary iantasm; but until faith has something more substantial than speculation to restNupon. the foundation must be sandy, and the super structure rumouS and weak. The human inlnd IS fohdly Given to theories, to erect airy fabrics of unsubstancial nothingness. and toNpalnt and dress them in all the Gaudy colours of an iris; Glistening for few mo- ments Tn the sunbeams, and then vanishing tor ever ln#how many instances this has been the ease the history of the present age furnishes, alas ! too many instances. Per haPs, however, this is not subject of regret. The mind oi man, restless and unsatisfied. Will seek amusements in one way or anoth- er One finds 1t Ill the triiing sports of cor poral activity, another in books and loWlv contemplation, whilst another, mounting his Pegasus, takes his eXcursi. flight through the ialry regions of fancy, delighting himself with the play and beauty of the shining bub- bles which his own vanity has inflated, till the rough touch of rude blast scatters his PIaythlhg, and dissipates the charm Some oi these remarks are somewhat digressiye from the present subject of this communca- ton; yet they will serve instead of arguments wholly satisfactory, that, as soon, as the mind of man leaves the area of facts fully demonstrated, he mounts the sunbeams of his own fancy, and rides to every ramifica- ton of an ilusive mInd That the science ol Geology Is based on a foundation tho- roughly sandy, and the superstructure ruin ous and weak, cannot be entirely maintained; yet the Group of facts in which it is encom- passed, are too multilarous, and diversified to admit of an easy development of the re- mole reces- es of the subject.
 Some oi the. States have followed the ex- ample of eaeToiher. so far as 10 create off, cets for their respective territorial districts, which IS called Stale Geologist, with motives equally laudable, each Sac, at the same time, expecting that by the toiI or rather the science of one man, for few weeks, the whole mineral resources of district or s at, might be developed To what extent the expectations of those legislatures have been realized, and to what degree those Ge- #oogical SIfveHs, as they are called, have beea behedciaI in any district or s ate, eXpe- rieaee can be onr only righlul monlor + we consult experience, or re'e, to the history Of Geology for the mineral district, on the civilized Globe, that has been discovered by 3 Geological Safvey or in any way assisted m the development thereof; On this point, inc science ol Geology is reduced to beg ge "
 q The science of Geology, so Car from serv- ing any p aetlcal pu pose in lea ling to those mine al resources. have n nearly every in- stance created endorsements, discouraged and reta ded the p.og es6 of the enterprise, alas not Il particle Of G ,od have ever result el tp the 5 a.e. or optr.tor, that can be claim el by ate Geol1gi~t. The question then may be asked if it sis my conclusion, that lhe practiee which has become so general as making Saie GeoIogiSts, all wrong, and that all those commissions are the mere perpelra- ton of folly, answer nav. Perhaps, how eyer, this Is not d subject Of regret. The mind of man restless and msatsed will seek food in one way or another; his vanity must be first Gratliel, his speeulaiions aud theories must Glide on the Glossy surface, and explode in his view, all this is necessary Tn many instances to teach men, the value of truth, and the folly of things without d comprehensive basis
 The persevefing and enterprising opera tors are the only men, who learn correctly the value and situation ol the mineral strata incased in the bowels of the earth. Those are the only correct Sae Geologlsts, and as they operate they explain, and 1t Is for those the important truth remains to be told, after the visionary theorist have passed over the surface, with as litle effect, as the rustling winds.
 In my humble opinion, the discharge of the duties ol State Geologst, as contemplated by those sovereign bodies creating them, would be infinitely beyond the power and sagacitv Of the human mind. In what shape then did the idea occur, or what degree of achievement was anticipated by the congre- gated wisdom of those sovereign States, by incumbering the institutions of the States with officers, the duties of which, are far iii advance of frail human conception: To such inquiries, have no answer to make ; notwithstanding, the benefit resulting or ever probably will result from those Geological surveys, tyro in mining economy, would not be in the least puzzled.
 For the last quarter of a century, much at tention have been Given, and exertlon made to place Geology high in the scale of useful science; truly much already have been att tained, and doubtless more will in the end be accomplished for Geology as science; but the mysterious arrangements of the bowels oi the earth, will remain locked up in the bosom of the Great Creator, and be as inscrutlble to the sage,, to the savage, to the philosopher as to the school boy; they are left and per haps purposely to make mock at all human science, and learning yet cannot close these observations which l have now submitted without sgnifying my Gratitude to the me