94 ANIMAL MECHANICS 



Derham, in sixteen sermons, preached in 1711, 

 at the lecture founded by Mr. Boyle, treats at 

 leno'th of the structure of our organs. These are 



o o 



also published, separately, under the title of 

 Physico-Theology ; and they naturally suggest 

 to learned divines the expediency of sometimes 

 expounding to their hearers the evidences of de- 

 sign apparent in the universe, as a sure means of 

 enlightening their understandings, elevating their 

 views, and awakening their piety. 1 



This cultivation of the mind, by exercising it 

 upon the study of proper objects, is a man's first 

 duty to himself. Without it, he can have no 

 steady opinion on points of the nearest concern. 

 He is wrought upon by circumstances which 

 ought not to sway the mind of a sensible man; 

 at one time depressed to the depths of despond- 

 ency, and, at another, exalted into unreasonable 

 enthusiasm. Without such cultivation, were a 

 man to live a hundred years, he is at last like one 

 cut off in infancy. 



1 Henry Lord Brougham, man of letters, man of science, advo- 

 cate, orator, statesman, and Lord Chancellor of England, wrote as 

 follows to Sir Charles Bell, after the publication of this treatise : 



" I cannot refrain from telling you the prodigious success your 

 admirable treatise [Animal Mechanics] has among us on this cir- 

 cuit judges, lawyers, wranglers, metaphysicians, and theologians, 

 men who are devoid of science, saint, savage, and sage, all unite 

 in its praise and in gratitude to you. But should not the subject 

 have a second handling? H. BROUGHAM, August, 1827." Let- 

 ters of Sir C. Bell, 1870, p. 295. 



