46 OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND 



the whole reasoning this operation of the understanding, to those 

 who so exercise themselves, always affords the highest delight. The 

 contemplation of experimental inquiries, and the examination of rea- 

 soning' founded upon the facts which our experiments and observations 

 disclose, is another fruitful source of enjoyment, and no other means 

 can be devised for either imprinting the results upon our memory, or 

 enabling us really to enjoy the whole pleasures of science. They who 

 found the study of some branches dry and tedious at the first, have 

 generally become more and more interested as they went on ; each 

 difficulty overcome gives an additional relish to the pursuit, and makes 

 us feel, as it were, that we have by our work and labour established a 

 right of property in the subject. Let any man pass an evening in 

 listless idleness, or even in reading* some silly tale, and compare the 

 state of his mind when he goes to sleep or gets up next morning with 

 its state some other day when he has passed a few hours in going 

 through the proofs, by facts and reasoning, of some of the great 

 doctrines in Natural Science, learning truths wholly new to him, and 

 satisfying himself by careful examination of the grounds on which 

 known truths rest, so as to be not only acquainted with the doctrines 

 themselves, but able to show why he believes them, and to prove before 

 others that they are true he will find as great a difference as can exist 

 in the same being ; the difference between looking back upon time 

 unprofitably wasted, and time spent in self-improvement: he will feel 

 himself in the one case listless and dissatisfied, in the other comfort- 

 able and happy ; in the one case, if he do not appear to himself 

 humbled, at least he will not have earned any claim to his own 

 respect ; in the other case, he will enjoy a proud consciousness of 

 having, by his own exertions, become a wiser and therefore a more 

 exalted creature. 



To pass our time in the study of the sciences, in learning what others 

 have discovered, and in extending the bounds of human knowledge, 

 has, in all ages, been reckoned the most dignified and happy of human 

 occupations ; and the name of Philosopher, or Lover of Wisdom, is 

 given to those who lead such a life. But it is by no means necessary 

 that a man should do nothing else than study known truths, and 

 explore new, in order to earn this high title. Some of the greatest 

 philosophers, in all ages, have been engaged in the pursuits of active 

 life ; and an assiduous devotion of the bulk of our time to the work 

 which our condition requires, is an important duty, and indicates the 

 possession of practical wisdom. This, however, does by no means 

 hinder us from applying the rest of our time, beside what nature 

 requires for meals and rest, to the study of science ; and he who, in 

 whatever station his lot may be cast, works his day s work, and im- 

 proves his mind in the evening, as well as he who, placed above such 

 necessity, prefers the refined and elevating pleasures of knowledge to 

 the low gratification of the senses, richly deserves the name of a True 

 Philosopher. 



One of the most gratifying treats which science affords us is the 

 knowledge of the extraordinary powers with which the human mind is 

 endowed, No man, until he has studied philosophy, can have a just 



