STUDY X. 



9 1 



mind, and the vanity of our education, are incef- 

 fantly prompting us to generalize. This mode of 

 proceeding is the fource of all our errors, and, 

 perhaps, of all our vices. Nature bellows on 

 every being that which is adapted to it, in the 

 moft perfect conformity, according to the Lati- 

 tude for which it is deftined ; and when the tem- 

 perature of that Latitude is affected by change of 

 feafon, fhe is pleafed to vary, likewife, the adap- 

 tations. Some of thofe adaptations are, accord- 

 ingly, immutable, and others variable. 



Nature frequently eTnploys contrary means for 

 producing the fame effect. She makes glafs with 

 fire ; fhe makes it, too, with water, the cryftal for 

 inftance : farther, (lie produces it from animal- 

 organization, fuch as certain tranfparent fhell-fi(h. 

 She forms the diamond by a procefs to us utterly 

 unknown. Conclude now, becaufe a body has 

 been vitrified, it muft certainly be by the effect of 

 fire, and rear on this perception the fyftem of the 

 Univerfe ! The utmofl that we are capable of do- 

 ing is to catch fome harmonic Inftants in the ex- 

 iftence of beings. That which is vitrifiable be- 

 comes calcareous, and what is calcareous changes 

 into glafs, by the action of the fame fire. Deduce 

 then, from thefe (impie modifications of the foffil 

 kingdom, invariable characters for determining 

 the general clafles of it ! 



On 



