2 $6 Dr. Perclval on the Pur/idls, (s'c. 



caufe it prefents fre(h objedls to our invefti- 

 gation, and further defiderata to our wiflies. Ic 

 is this endlefs progreffion of fcience, which, by 

 gratifying curiofity with perpetual novelty, and 

 animating ambition with profpefls of higher 

 and higher attainments, foaietinies gives the 

 attachment to it an afcendancy over every 

 other principle, fo as to render it the ruling 

 ■pajjion of the mind. And as this pafTion does 

 not, like the love of virtue, temper its parti- 

 cular exertions, by preferving a proper fub- 

 crdination in the powers, which ic calls forth 

 into aiflion, the wildefl; extravagances of emo- 

 tion and of condu6l, have been indulged by 

 thofe, who fubmit to its uncontrouled dominion. 

 /A great philofopher has rufhed naked, from the 

 bath, into the ftreets of a populous city, frantic 

 with joy, on the folution of an interefting pro- 

 blem. But as I have expatiated in another 

 EfTay, * on the folly of fuch extravagant ardour 

 in the purfuits of knowledge, I fhall clofe thefe 

 refledions with the following lines from Milton. 



- - - Apt the mind, or fancy, is to rove 

 Unchecked, and of her roving is no end ; 

 'Till warn'd, or by experience taught fhe learn. 

 That not to know at large of things remote 

 from ufe, obfcure and fubtle, but to know 



• On Inconfiftency of Expeftation in Literary Purfuits ; 

 Moral and Literary Differtations, page 183. 



That 



