Playfair cipher

Abstract: AS we learn from Sir Archibald Geikie in his interesting preface, the history of the later portion of James Hutton's great work on the “Theory of the Earth” is a perplexing question. In 1795 the well-known two volumes appeared, containing the first and second parts, but the title-page bears the words “in four parts.” Of those two the first is little more than a reprint of the essay on the same subject read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1785. The second part, dealing with the operation of natural causes on the surface of the globe—or dynamical geology, as it is now sometimes called—was new matter. These volumes are without preface or preliminary sketch, so that no clue is given to the plan of the remainder of the work, while the fact that Hutton ends his second volume with an elaborate summary suggests that he contemplated a pause of some duration before issuing the remainder. At his death, in 1797, the third volume, according to Playfair, was practically complete; and we do not know why his friends did not publish it. Perhaps, as Sir A. Geikie suggests, they waited for certain illustrations, which Mr. John Clerk, Hutton's great friend, had promised to furnish. Gaps are left for these in the text; but, at any rate, Playfair and Lord Webb Seymour quote from the manuscript in a paper on Glen Tilt, read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1814. It was then lost sight of—the earlier portion, including three chapters, has vanished; the other was a parting gift from Lord Webb Seymour to Leonard Horner, and was presented by him to the Geological Society of London in 1856. In its charge it has remained, forgotten by most of the Fellows, till Sir Archibald Geikie urged its publication on the Council, promising to take upon himself the laborious task of editing. Needless to say, this has been admirably done. The manuscript is printed as though it had followed on the preceding volumes. A few small lacunae or matters needing explanation are dealt with in explanatory notes, which are models of terseness and a great help to the reader, who, in addition, has to thank the editor for an index, not only to this volume, but also to the two others. Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations. In four parts. By James Hutton, M.D. and F.R.S.E. Vol. iii. Edited by Sir Archibald Geikie, D.C.L., F.R.S. (Geological Society, Burlington House, 1899.)