BLACKWOOD'S
EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.
| No. III. | JUNE 1817. | Vol. I. |
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
To determine the utility of Natural History, it is scarcely necessary to do more than to enumerate its various branches, by which it will be seen in its most convincing form. In truth the correctness of this opinion requires no proof, since the general attention which has, within a few years, been excited to the study of every department of natural knowledge, must have rendered every illustration that can be offered perfectly familiar to our readers. This being the admitted fact, the importance of all attempts to facilitate such studies, to excite ardour, and to stimulate exertion, will be fully appreciated. Under the influence of this conviction, we make no apology for submitting to the public the following sketch of the rise, progress, and present state of the Werneriun Natural History Society of Edinburgh, as well as a few general observations on that branch of natural history, to which some of its most distinguished members have hitherto devoted their talents. The history of this society is, in fact, so intimately blended with the progress of mineralogical science in Great Britain, as to make it impossible to notice the one and neglect the other. To this society, we, without hesitation, refer not only a large share of the enthusiasm that has been kindled, but some of the most interesting observations on the internal structure of Great Britain that have yet been presented to the world. In addition to this view, it will be well to illustrate its truth, and to trace the insensible though progressive influence that has been exercised on the minds of many, by one enlightened, zealous, and persevering individual.
The state of mineralogical knowledge, within the last forty years, was confessedly low in every part of the world, as it consisted of little more than an acquaintance with the more valuable substances, and of a catalogue of localities. On the Continent of Europe, the first steps towards improvement were made; while, in our country, though so rich in its mineral treasures, scarcely a work appeared, with the exception of Williams' Mineral Kingdom, and Price's Cornwall, that contained accurate observations. Yet in the midst of this most deplorable ignorance of the works of nature, her most secret mysteries were resolved with a boldness and temerity scarcely to be surpassed by the flights of Paracelsus, or of Arnoldus de Villa Nova. It would be a fruitless and unprofitable task to give even a sketch of these whimsical, though often ingenious, fancies.
The individual to whom mineralogy is most deeply indebted, is the well known Werner of Freyberg. He has taught the vast importance of accurate observation, and patient investigation. He has shown, that in this science, as in every other, facts should not be made to bend to hypothesis; but that every man who wishes to obtain accurate views, should begin his career unfettered by theory,—and that the result must be a more accurate
