BUFF0N. L59 



religion, are extremely erroneous. lie is a decided 

 enemy to the doctrine of final causes, and he refers 

 to unconscious nature every operation that ought to be 

 attributed to a designing, kind, and ever benevolent 

 Deity. He never 



" Looks through nature, up to nature's God," 



but perversely substitutes the effect for the cause, the 

 outcome of the divinity for the divinity itself. 



His labours, however, afford ample proofs of the 

 power of genius, when directed by taste, and his 

 particular descriptions of animals often exhibit an 

 elegance of style which is to be met with in no other 

 work of its kind. He had a mind well calculated for 

 his task, and was indefatigable in his exertions to 

 procure information. He spared no pains or expense 

 to forward his undertaking nor any labour to complete 

 it. Inattention and idleness were equally unknown 

 to him. He never wasted the day in making resolu- 

 tions for the morrow, but by constant and well-regulated 

 exertion has left a striking example of what may be 

 done by a proper division of our time, a due observance 

 that no part of it passes unemployed, and a patienl and 

 steady perseverance in whatever we undertake. 



