272 



AN TIE NT METAPHYSICS. Book III. 



Avhlch I hive faul a good deal in otlicr parts of this work *. But I 

 tliiuk it deferves further confideration ; for, as it confifts in the per- 

 ception of the order and regularity of things, fuch as make them a 

 ivhole^ QX fyjlcin^ which is the definition of the beautiful that I have 

 given elfewhere f , it can only be perceived by the intellect, and it 

 mufl be fo perceived : For it is fo congenial to intellecl, that we 

 cannot conceive any animal having the ufc of intelleft, and not per- 

 ceiving fuch order and regularity in things. It is univerfal in na- 

 ture : For I think I have fhown that there is in the univerfe an or- 

 der, regularity, and connedion of the fcveral parts of it, fuch as 

 make it a fyflem of wonderful beauty as well as grandeur and ex- 

 tent ; and I have fliown alfo, that even parts of it confidered fe- 

 parately, fuch as animals and plants, are each in themfelves fyftems. 



It is predominant alfo in our fentiments, paflions, and anions, 

 and forms what we call the chara£lers of men ; by which they 

 ure objetSls of love and efteem, or of hatred and contempt. It alfo 

 makes the only happinefs of the intelledlual mind : For we cannot 

 conceive that mind to be happy otherwife than by the contem- 

 plation of the fair and the beautiful, either in itfelf or in other 

 tilings. 



As to man, it is the fource of love and friendship, and makes 

 I'.im enjoy, what, I think, is the greateft bleffrng in this life, that of 

 loving and of being loved. It gives him the enjoyment, as I haTC 

 faid, of the fine arts, and indeed of all arts and fciences : For it is 

 the beauty as well as the utility of arts and fciences, which makes 

 us ap[^ly to them ; and a man, who does not perceive the beauty 

 of them, is deficient in genius, and never will make any great pro- 

 ficiency in them. 



As 



* P. 196 of this Vol. Vol. V. pp. 1 18, 125, 156, and 217, and Vol. II. p. 105, &c. 

 f Sec this definltlcn in Vol. II. p. 1 20. 



