of the Sciences and Arts. 245 



left, and become totally inapplicable to any 

 good and ufeful purpofe : and it is therefore the 

 duty of every rational being, to make this im- 

 provement the firfl; obje6l of his attainment. But 

 in doing this, we fhould firft inquire by what 

 means we may bed anfwer this good end j for as 

 thefe original endowments can only be cultivated 

 by means, of the fciences and arts, and as thefe 

 are much diverfified in themfelves, difclofe to uS 

 different views, and lead to different endsj it 

 becomes a bufinefs of much importance to in- 

 quire what particular branch of fcience, or of art 

 is troft deferving of our attention, before we fuf- 

 fer oiirfelves to be attrafted by fuch other lefs 

 important, though not ufelefs, inveftigations, 

 as may accidentally come acrofs our way. 



Now it may certainly be taken for granted, 

 that as beings accountable for our moral con- 

 du(5t, and influencing by that condud, not only 

 our own happinefs, but, in a great degree, the 

 happinefs of others, thofe ftudies which have 

 an immediate reference to the moral duties of 

 life are of the firft importance. 



The ftudy of the works of nature may next be 

 allowed to engage our attention — a ftudy, on 

 the knowledge of which depend many of the 

 conveniences and pleafures of life; and which 

 has, perhaps, a ftill higher claim to our notice, 

 as inducing us to form to ourfelves proper ideas 

 of the attributes and perfedions of the great 

 R 3 Creators 



