I'793> habits of attention and obsermation. 167 



We fhall generally find that what is called genius, 

 or an ui. common reach of novelty in thought and 

 invention among men, is no other than the fruit of 

 the unlhackled powers of the understanding, working 

 by attention, observation, and comparison, the habi- 

 tude of which, hath been obtained by following 

 that which peculiarly tickleth and delighteth the 

 imagination or the understanding. 



It is this which leadeth some men into enterpri- 

 ses, that are never so much as thought of by such 

 as be guided in the trammels of pedantic instituti- 

 on, and from whence we see that most of our ' 

 notable discoveries have been due unto men that 

 have sprung from the earth, like the teeth of Cad- 

 mus, and have not been reared in the hot beds of pe- 

 dantic seminaries. 



Unto a common and carelefs observer, a rich mea. 

 dow seemeth to consist of nought but grafs, daisies, 

 butter-flowers, and some well-known weeds that 

 do infest the pastures ; but unto him who hath once 

 been drawn to examine the diversity of plants which 

 grow therein, a ftiort time will exhibit to his de- 

 lighted and wondering eye, a variety increasing with 

 the curiosity and intensity of observation. 



Now to foster this disposition, is a grand object 

 both in the art of education and in the art of life, 

 both with respect to the natural and the mora^ 

 world. 



The habitude of attention and observation, when 

 it hath for its scope, the almost infinite variety of 

 humane character and conduct, will render more 

 and more perfect, that notable wisdom which enab- 

 Jcth a man to dibcern the real dispositions of his 



