78 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



guiflies him from every other fenfible being, be- 

 longs more properly to his heart than to his un- 

 derftanding. It is, in him, not fo much an illu- 

 mination as a feeling, for it appears independent 

 even of the fpedlacle of Nature, and manifefts it- 

 felf with equal energy in thofe who live moft re- 

 mote from it, as in thofe who are continually en- 

 joying it. The fenfations of the infinity, of the 

 univerfality, of the glory, and of the immortality 

 with which it is conneded, are incelTantly agi- 

 tating the inhabitants of the city, as well as thofe 

 of the country. Man, feeble, miferable, mortal, 

 indulges himfelf, every v^herc, in thefe celeflial 

 pafiions. Thither he directs, without perceiving 

 it, his hopes, his fears, his pleafures, his pains, his 

 loves ; and paffes his life in purfuing, or combat- 

 ting, thefe fugitive impreffions of Deity. 



Such is the career which I have prefcribed to 

 myfelf. But as, in a long voyage, we fometimes 

 perceive, on our way, flowery ifles, in the bofom 

 of a great river, and enchanting groves on the 

 fummit of inacceflible precipices : in like manner, 

 the progrefs we fliall make in the ftudy of Nature, 

 will gradually difclofe to us fome delightful prof- 

 peds. With thefe we fliall, at leaft:, feaft; the eye 

 as we pafs along, if we are not permitted to flop, 

 and furvey them at leifure. We fhall have fre- 

 quent occafion to remark, that the works of Na- 

 ture 



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