soil is rich in mineral products, or otherwise worthy of careful examination. From the secret treasurechambers of our globe wealth, various in kind and vast in amount, is annually obtained. Tens of thousands are labouring beneath the surface of our island-home, and tens of thousands beneath the surface of other lands. But though now much learning, and immense toil, and complicated machinery, and resources of various kinds are employed in the acquisition of this mineral wealth, men devoid of these have formerly done something toward this result. The rude guesses, and feeble attempts, and puny achievements of the uninstructed prepared the way for those who will manifest the triumphant power of well-directed labour. Those who never secured more than that which lay near the surface, or was apparent in the side of some cliff, or had been laid bare by volcanic shock, or had been brought down by mountain-torrent, indicated what might be gained by those who were observant, and mighty, and patient.
Beyond doubt, there are, in the suggested, lessons of immense worth. infallible direction chiselled in the indestructible rock, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Besides that are others innumerable, of equal authority, and confirmatory and explanatory of this one. Here are treasures of truth. If I have succeeded in laying bare the soil, penetrating a little way beneath the surface, and presenting to you that which is precious, though neither abundant nor refined, and exposing veins which will amply repay your diligent exploration, I have not laboured in vain. Do not stay to criticize the unskilfulness or feebleness manifested in my