d
them between the Blue Ridge and North Mountains in Virginia, to be
parallel with the pole of the earth. I observed the same thing in most
instances in the Alps, between Cette and Turin; but in returning along
the precipices of the Apennines, where they hang over the
Mediterranean, their direction was totally different and various; and
you mention that in our western country they are horizontal. This
variety proves they have not been formed by subsidence, as some writers
of theories of the earth have pretended; for then they should always
have been in circular strata, and concentric. It proves, too, that they
have not been formed by the rotation of the earth on its axis, as might
have been suspected, had all these strata been parallel with that axis.
They may, indeed, have been thrown up by explosions, as Whitehurst
supposes, or have been the effect of convulsions. But there can be no
proof of the explosion, nor is it probable that convulsions have
deformed every spot of the earth. It is now generally agreed that rock
grows, and it seems that it grows in layers in every direction, as the
branches of trees grow in all directions. Why seek further the solution
of this phenomenon? Everything in nature decays. If it were not
reproduced then by growth, there would be a chasm.

I remember you asked me, in a former letter, whether the steam mill in
London was turned by the steam immediately, or by the intermediate
agency of water raised by the steam. When I was in London, Boulton made
a secret of his mill. Therefore, I was permitted to see it only
superficially. I saw no water wheels, and, therefore, supposed none. I
answered you, accordingly, that there were none. But when I was at
Nismes, I went to see the steam mill there, and they showed it to me in
all the parts. I saw that their steam raised water, and that this water
turned a wheel. I expressed my doubts of the necessity of the
inter-agency of water, and that the London mill was without it. But
they supposed me mistaken; perhaps I was so; I have had no opportunity
since of clearing up the doubt.

* * * * * * * *

I had a letter from Mr. Churchman, but not developing his plan of
knowing the longitude, fully. I wrote him what was doubted about it, so
far as we could conjecture what it was.

I am, with very great and sincere esteem, dear Sir, your friend and
servant.

TO JOHN JAY.

PARIS, Sept. 22, 1787.

SIR,--The l