132 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF 
foundations of Dr. Dalton’s Theory of Chemical 
Composition. 
Mr. Ewart’s range of thought and interest ex- 
tended beyond the limits of the physical sciences. 
He possessed, in a large measure, the prevailing 
taste of his country for metaphysical research and 
discussion ; nor did he shrink from encountering 
those abstruse speculations, which, in every age 
and nation, have exercised the ingenuity, but 
eluded the grasp of thoughtful men. In handling 
such topics, he was peculiarly fastidious in the 
choice of language ; and most rigid in first mark- 
ing the precise force of general terms and defini- 
tions, and in then exacting a vigilant mindfulness 
of their pre-admitted value. There was indeed 
no fault, which he was so keen in detecting, and 
so energetic in reprehending, in writers on the 
higher philosophy, whether of mind or matter, as 
the negligent use of important terms and the dis- 
regard of their intrinsic or conventional accepta- 
tion. His own metaphysical opinions had been 
mainly gathered from the works of Reid, Dugald 
Stewart, and perhaps, but in less measure, from 
those of Dr. Brown. He was slow in re- 
ceiving into favour, more modern authorities, 
