in the Natural Sciences. 365 



illustrated by pictorial representations of the more familiar ob-, 

 jects of nature. 



But if so much has already been done by pictorial represen-, 

 tation, how much more might be accomplished were familiar ob- 

 jects, as they really exist in nature, next presented to the eye ; 

 and were their various uses demonstrated and explained, before 

 that period of life when youth must betake themselves to those pro- 

 fessions in which they are afterwards to be engaged during life* ? 

 It has been well remarked, that " all those secular pursuits which 

 tend to augment the true happiness of the individual, while they 

 contribute at the same time to the welfare of society at large, are 

 resolvable, either directly or indirectly, into the control or resist- 

 ance of the powers of nature, and to the acquisition of that de- 

 gree of knowledge concerning them, which is necessary effectual- 

 ly to subdue them, or to counteract their injurious influence."" Of 

 how much importance, then, is it, that we acquire in youth some 

 intimate knowledge of those natural objects by which we are sur- 

 rounded, and upon the proper understanding and use of which, 

 our comfort and happiness so much depend ? The divine would 

 be thereby better enabled to explain and illustrate to all classes of 

 his hearers, the works of creation and providence, the wonderful 

 and beautiful laws by which these continue to be governed, and 

 the inevitable consequences which must fall upon man, by his 

 violating the very least of these laws. What is it that enables the 

 physician to avert and cure so many diseases, but his study of 

 the laws of nature, and the constitution of the animal frame, to- 

 getlier with a knowledge of the properties of various gases and 

 substances, which are either noxious of sanative when applied to 

 the living body ? What is it that enables one artizan or mechanic 

 to excel another in ingenuity of workmanship, but his superior 

 knowledge and greater facility in the application of natural 

 means to the objects wished to be attained ? And, lastly, What 

 is it but the increased knowledge of the objects and powers 

 of nature, which has from time to time been acquired, that 

 enables man now to cultivate, increase, and improve, with so 

 much success, the various products of the mineral, the vegetable, 



• It is to be understood, however, that we are decidedly adverse to the 

 very early instruction in physical knowledge advocated by aome well mean- 

 ing but inconsiderate persons. 



