96 HISTORY of the SOCIETr. 



ed nothing fo much as ignorance ; that the one was always 

 afraid of going beyond the truth, and the other of not reaching 

 it. The curiofity of the latter was by much the moft eafily 

 awakened, and its impulfe moft powerful and imperious. With 

 the former, it was a defire which he could fufpend and lay afleep 

 for a time ; with the other, it was an appetite that might be fa- 

 tisfied for a moment, but was fnre to be quickly renewed. Even 

 the fimplicity of manner which was pofTefled by both thefe phi- 

 lofophers, was by no means precifely the fame. That of Dr 

 Black was correct, refpe<5ling at all times the prejudices and 

 fafhions of the world ; that of Dr Hutton was more carelefs, 

 and was often fovind in direct collifion with both. 



From thefe diverfities, their fociety was infinitely pleafing, 

 both to themfelves and thofe about them. Each had fometh'ing 

 to give which the other was in want of. Dr Black derived 

 great amufement from the vivacity of his friend, the fallies of 

 his wit, the glow and original turn of his exprefllon ; and that 

 calmnefs and ferenity of mind which, even in a man of genius, 

 may border on langvior or monotony, received a pleafing impulfe 

 by fympathy with more powerful emotions. 



On the other hand, the coolnefs of Dr Black, the judi- 

 cioufnefs and folidity of his refledtions, ferved to temper the 

 zeal, and reftrain the impetuofity of Dr Hutton. In every 

 material point of philofophy they perfedtly agreed. The theory 

 of the earth had been a fubjeft of difcuffion with them for 

 many years, and Dr Black fubfcribed entirely to the fyftem of 

 his friend. In fcience, nothing certainly is due to authority, ex- 

 cept a careful examination of the opinions which it fupports. 

 It is not meant to claim any more than this in favour of the 

 Huttonian Geology ; but they who reje<3: that fyftem, with- 

 out examination, would do well to confider, that it had the 

 entire and vxnqualified approbation of one of the cooleft, and 



foundeft 



