393 



will afford but imperfect enjoyment or instruction. 

 This privilege, so consoling to our nature, so en- 

 couraging to our hopes, and so improving to our 

 intellects, may of itself be said to whisper immor- 

 tality. Nor is it restrained to the eminently wise 

 or profoundly learned. Like all manifestations of 

 the divine goodness and mercy, it is plain and open 

 to all. Who does not at once perceive that the 

 Author of nature must be wise and good? Has he 

 not then evidently intended that we should perceive 

 it, — that we should attend to and cultivate this 

 knowledge, and derive wisdom and happiness from 

 so rich a source ? The further we proceed with a 

 right mind to prosecute our inquiries, the more are 

 all these suggestions confirmed. This I trust is so 

 obvious, that I shall consider it as a tacit sentiment 

 between us, more easily perceived than expressed ; 

 for all 



' . . . . our highest notes the theme debase, 

 And silence is our least injurious praise.' 



" As we discover the admirable fitness of every 

 part for its destined purpose, we become far more 

 sensible of its beauty ; and as we learn how partial 

 evil mercifully operates for the prevention of more 

 extensive ills, and even for the production of general 

 good, we bow in adoration to the wisdom we can- 

 not fathom, but in which we soon see we may safely 

 and cheerfully confide. As soon as we enter upon 

 the deliberate contemplation of the works of nature, 

 we feel the necessity of classing and arranging them 

 for our convenience. 



" Natural history conducts us to a knowledge of 



