l8 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



tion, accordingly, is not a relation of the under 

 flanding, or a perception of our reafon ; but a 

 fentiment of the foul, which arifes in us, from a 

 certain undefcribable inftind of Deity, at fight of 

 extraordinary objeds, and from the very myfte- 

 rioufnefs in which they are involved. This is fo 

 indubitably certain, that admiration is deftroyed 

 by the fcience which enlightens us. If I exhibit 

 to a favage an eolipile darting out a flream of in- 

 flamed fpirit of wine, I throw him into an extafy 

 of admiration ; he feels himfelf difpofed to fall 

 down and worfhip the machine j he venerates me 

 as the God of Fire, as long as he comprehends it 

 not ; but no fooner do I explain to him the nature 

 of the procefs, than his admiration ceafes, and he 

 looks upon me as a cheat *. 



* For this reafon it is that we admire only that which is un- 

 common. Were there to appear, over the Horizon of Paris, 

 one of thofe parhelia which are fo common at Spitzbergen, the 

 whole inhabitants of the city would be in the flreets to gaze at 

 it, and wonder. It is nothing more, however, than a refleftion 

 of the Sun's difk in the clouds j and no one (lands ftill to con- 

 template the Sun himfelf, becaufe the Sun is an objed too well 

 known to be admired. 



It is myftery which conftitutes one of the charms of Reli- 

 gion. Thofe who infift upon a geometrical demonftration on 

 this fubjeft, betray a profound ignorance, at once, of the Laws 

 of Nature, and of the demands of the human heart. 



rhe 



