y-Qi. miscellaneoxis obsernjations. 99 



pafses, when many such do not occur to ourselves, ov 

 are suggested by others ; and detached and insulated, 

 as they may appear at present, some of then, may 

 perhaps afterwards, at the distance of years, furni!}» 

 the key-stone of an important system.' 



To the truth and importance of these observations, 

 the experience of every thinkiiag person, in every 

 station of life, will bear ample testimony ; at least 1 

 must confefs that many hints have occurred to me, 

 which, by having neglected to commit them at tlie 

 instant to writing, I have now irrecoverably lost, and 

 which yet I would give a great deal to recal. The 

 profefsor, as ,was natural, instances particularly the 

 improvements in science which might be expected 

 from treasuring upevery plausible hint which occurs, 

 or is suggested to us ; but I think it is obvious that 

 equal improvements might be expected from the 

 same practice in every useful art of life. 



It is recorded of one of the most learned divines 

 and eloquent preachers of the last century, that bis 

 method of composing his weekly discourses was, aft; r 

 every sermon, to revolve upon the ensuing subject ; 

 that being done, to pursue the course of study m 

 which he was engaged, and to reserve the olofe of 

 the week for the provision for -next Saturday. By 

 this practice not only a constant progrefs was made 

 in science, but materials were unawares gained into 

 the immediate future week. For he said, be the sub- 

 jects treated of ever so distant, somewhat will infal- 

 libly fall in conducive to the present purpose. 



Were the farmer, the mechanic, the tradesman, 

 iSc. to adopt a practice somewhat similar to this, it 

 is not perhaps easy to be conceived how great im- 



