of the Sciences and Arts, 251 



perties of vifible objefts. It therefore precedes 

 the ftudy of phyfics, whofe province it is to in- 

 quire into the particular nature and laws of fuch 

 objeds. If the pleafures received from fcien- 

 tific purfuits depend on the inveftigation and 

 acquifition of truth, the ftudy of the mathe- 

 matics is of all others the moft capable of af- 

 fording enjoyment; its conclufions not depend- 

 ing on the fubtilty of argument, or the fallacy 

 of language, but being capable either of fenfible 

 demonftration, or immediately referring to the 

 firft principles of human reafon. It may alfo 

 be added, that this fcience feems more complete 

 and perfeft than any other, as it generally at- 

 tains the full end it aims at; whereas, in all other 

 fciences we exped to improve, rather than to 

 perfeft knowledge. 



Under the comprehenfive denomination of 

 phyfics are included many particular ftudies, 

 each of which affords ample materials for invefti- 

 gation. The profefled fubje6t of its inquiry is the 

 whole fyftem of material nature: in the purfuit 

 of which branch of learning it feems proper, in the 

 firft place to acquire a general knowledge of the 

 univerfe, as far as it is difcoverable either by our 

 natural endowments, or the artificial afliftance 

 with which human invention has fupplied us ; 

 and from thence to proceed, in our inquiries, 

 through the animal, vegetable, and mineral 

 kingdoms; which employment, as it includes all 



we 



