OBJECTS, PLEASURES, AND ADVANTAGES OF SCIENCE. 



XXVI! 



as the first step of all was, and yet the result being something not only far from self-evident, but so 

 general and strange, that you can hardly believe it to be true, and are only convinced of it by going'over 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 reasoning 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 euablin" 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 aud labour 

 established a right of property in the subject. Let any man pass an evening in vacant idleness, or even in 

 reading some silly tale, aud 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 

 reasonincr, 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 unprofitable wasted, and time spent in self-improvement : he will feel himself in the one case 

 :ind dissatisfied, in the other comfortable and happy : in the one case, if he do not appear to himsclt 

 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 occu- 

 pations ; 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 

 improves 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 namo of a 

 True Philosopher. 



One of tho most delightful 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 

 ust idea of the great things for which Providence has fitted his understanding tho extraordinary dispropor- 

 tion which there is between his natural strength and the powers of his mind and the force he derives from 

 them. "When we survey the marvellous truths of Astronomy, we are first of all lost in the feeling ol 

 mmense space, and of the comparative insignificance of this globe and its inhabitants. But there soon 

 arises a sense of gratification and new wonder at perceiving how so insignificant a creature has been able to 

 reach such a knowledge of the unbounded system of the universe to penetrate, as it were, through 

 .11 space, and become familiar with tho laws of nature at distances so enormous as to baffle our imagination 

 to bo able to say, not merely that the Sun has 329,630 times the quantity of matter which our globe 

 has, Jupiter 308 , and Saturn 93.J times; but that a pound of lead weighs at tho Sun 22 Ibs. 15 ozs. 10 

 s grs. and J of a grain! at Jupiter 2 Ibs. 1 oz. 19 dwts. 1 gr. \; and at Saturn 1 Ib. 3 ozs. 8 

 dwts. 20 grs. ^th part ofn gruin! And what is far more wonderful, to discover the laws by which the whole 

 >f this vast system is held together and maintained through countless ages in perfect security and order. 

 [t is surely no mean reward of our labour to become acquainted with tho prodigious genius of those who 

 i.ive almost exalted the nature of man above its destined sphere, when, admitted to a fellowship with these 

 minds, we discover how it comes to pass that, by universal consent, they hold a station apart, rising 

 ver all tho Great Teachers of mankind, aud spoken of reverently, as if NEWTON and LAPLACE were not 

 he names of mortal men. 



The highest of all our gratifications in the contemplations of science remains : we are raised by them 

 :o an understanding of the infinite wisdom and goodness which the Creator has displayed in his works. 

 Vnt n step can we take in any direction without perceiving the most extraordinary traces of design; and 

 ,he skill everywhere conspicuous is calculated, in so vast a proportion of instances, to promote the happiness 

 of living creatures, and especially of our own kind, that we can feel no hesitation iu concluding that, if we 

 cnew the whole scheme of Providence, every part would bo found in' harmony witli a plan of absolute bene- 

 olence. Independently, however, of this most consoling inference, the delight is inexpressible of being able 

 to follow, as it were, with our eyes, the marvellous works of the Great Architect of Nature to trace tho 

 mbnunded power and exquisite skill which are exhibited in the most minute, as well as the mightiest parts 

 nystrm. The pleasure derived from this study is unceasing, and so various, that it never tires the 



