PREFACE. 429 



to cover their estimation with the multitude. On the con 

 trary, we earnestly wish them to be amplified, and improved, 

 and held in increased regard ; as it is no part of our ambi 

 tion to withdraw men either all, or altogether, or all at once 

 from what is established and current. But as an arrow or 

 other missile, while carried directly onward, still neverthe 

 less during its progress incessantly whirls about in rapid 

 rotation; so we, while hurrying forward to more distant 

 objects, are carried round and round by these popular and 

 prevalent opinions. And, therefore, we do not hesitate to 

 avail ourselves of the fair services of this common reason 

 and these popular proofs; and shall place whatever con 

 clusions have been discovered or decided through their 

 medium (which may, indeed, have much of truth and utility 

 in them) on an equal footing with the rest; at the same 

 time protesting against any inferences thence to be drawn 

 in derogation of what we have above stated about the in- 

 competency of both this reason and of these proofs. We 

 have rather, in fact, thrown out the preceding hints as it 

 were occasionally for the sake of such as, feeling their pro 

 gress impeded by an actual want either of talent or of 

 leisure, wish to confine themselves within the ancient tracts 

 and precincts of science, or at least not to venture beyond 

 their immediately contiguous domains ; since we conceive 

 that the same speculations may (like tents or resting places 

 on the way) minister ease and rest to such as, in pursuance 

 of our plan, seek the true interpretation of nature, and find 

 it; and may, at the same time, in some slight decree, pro 

 mote the welfare of man, and infuse into his mind ideas 

 somewhat more closely connected with the true nature of 

 things. This result, however, we are far from anticipating 

 in confidence of any faculty which we ourselves possess, 

 but we entertain no doubt that any one even of moderate 

 abilities, yet ripened mind, who is both willing and able to 

 lay aside his idols, and to institute his inquiries anew, and 

 to investigate with attention, perseverance, and freedom 

 from prejudice, the truths and computations of natural 

 history, will of himself, by his genuine and native powers,, 

 and by his own simple anticipations penetrate more pro 

 foundly into nature than he would be capable of doing by 

 the most extensive course of reading, by indefinite abstract 

 speculations, or by continual and repeated disputations ; 

 though he may not have brought the ordinary engines 

 into action, or have adopted the prescribed formula of in 

 terpretation. 



