sense. I have not tried to make this a handbook of geological facts.
Such a guide (and none better) the young man will find in Sir Charles
Lyell's "Student's Elements of Geology." I have tried rather to
teach the method of geology, than its facts; to furnish the student
with a key to all geology, rough indeed and rudimentary, but sure and
sound enough, I trust, to help him to unlock most geological problems
which he may meet, in any quarter of the globe. But young men must
remember always, that neither this book, nor all the books in the
world, will make them geologists. No amount of book learning will
make a man a scientific man; nothing but patient observation, and
quiet and fair thought over what he has observed. He must go out for
himself, see for himself, compare and judge for himself, in the
field, the quarry, the cutting. He must study rocks, ores, fossils,
in the nearest museum; and thus store his head, not with words, but
with facts. He must verify--as far as he can--what he reads in
books, by his own observation; and be slow to believe anything, even
on the highest scientific authority, till he has either seen it, or
something like enough to it to make it seem to him probable, or at
least possible. So, and so only, will he become a scientific man,
and a good geologist; and acquire that habit of mind by which alone
he can judge fairly and wisely of facts of any kind whatsoever.

I say--facts of any kind whatsoever. If any of my readers should be
inclined to say to themselves: Geology may be a very pleasant study,
but I have no special fancy for it. I had rather learn something of
botany, astronomy, chemistry, or what not--I shall answer: By all
means. Learn any branch of Natural Science you will. It matters
little to me which you learn, provided you learn one at least. But
bear in mind, and settle it in your hearts, that you will learn no
branch of science soundly, so as to master it, and be able to make