2^2 On the comparative Excellence 



we know of the earth we inhabit, has acquired 

 the name of natural hiftory. 



It is by no means my intention to enter into a 

 detail of the feveral ftudies which properly 

 arrange themfelves under thefe different heads : 

 it is fufficient to have indicated the pre-eminence 

 and fubordination which feem to fubfift between 

 the different objefts of fcience, and to have fliewn 

 the neceffity of adopting fimilar diftindlions. 



It muft however be remarked, that it is not 

 perhaps in our power to purfue the fciences in the 

 precife order here pointed outj for there is a 

 connedion throughout the whole fyftem of hu- 

 man knowledge, which renders it impoffible to 

 arrive at excellence in any one branch, whilft we 

 remain totally ignorant of the reft. The ten- 

 dency of natural philofophy to promote the in- 

 terefts of morality, has already been hinted at j 

 and the fcience of mathematics is in like manner 

 intimately connected with other branches of 

 natural philofophy. 



I muft alfo remark, that though under the 

 general heads before mentioned, I mean to com- 

 prehend all human fcience -, yet they by no means 

 include every literary attainment, in the purfuit 

 of which mankind are bufied; many of which are 

 acquired only for the purpofe of being again 

 employed in the attainment of further know- 

 ledge. But, as a fkilful artificer before he com- 

 nrjences an important work, will beftow great 



attention 



