350 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



metallic moulds which might lie fcattered about^ 

 and triumphantly difplay them as a proof of the 

 Artift's blundering ignorance ? 



The Ancients burnt monflers, the Moderns 

 preferve them in fpirit of wine. They refemble 

 thofe ungracious children, who watch their mo- 

 ther, in the hope of furprizing her in a fault, that 

 they may arrogate to themfelves a right to do what 

 they pleafe. Oh ! if the Earth were indeed aban- 

 doned to diforder, and that after an infinity of 

 combinations, there fhould at laft appear, amidft 

 the monfters which covered it, a fingle body well 

 proportioned, and adapted to the neceffities of 

 Man, what a fource of fatisfaftion would it be to 

 creatures at once fenfible and unhappy, to catch 

 but a glimmering of an Intelligence, fome- / 

 where, who took an interefl: in their deftiny ? 



END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 



