410 THE ENTITY OF MATTER. 



advances from the real to the ideal with such rapidity, 

 that every argument is based on an assumption without 

 a proof; every assumption being merely a type of the 

 philosophy itself, a baseless fabric, a transcendental 

 vision. 



A material creation surrounds us. This earth, 

 all that it contains, and the immense hosts of stellar 

 worlds, are absolute entities, surrounded with, and in- 

 terpenetrated by, certain exhibitions of creative intelli- 

 gence, which perform, according to fixed laws, the 

 mighty labours upon which depend the infinite and 

 eternal mutations of matter. -The origin of a grain of 

 dust is hidden from our finite comprehensions ; but its 

 existence should be a source of hope, that those minds 

 w r hich are alowed the privilege of tracing out its mar- 

 vellous properties, of examining the empyreal prin- 

 ciples upon which its condition, as a grain of dust, 

 depends, and even of reducing these giant elements to 

 do our human bidding, may, after a period of proba- 

 tion, be admitted to the enjoyment of that infinite 

 power to which the great secrets of creation will be 

 unveiled. 



Every motion which the accurate search of the experi- 

 mentalist has traced, every principle or power which the 

 physicist has discovered, every combination which the 

 chemist has detected, every form which the naturalist 

 has recorded, involves reflections of an exalting character, 

 which constitute the elements of the highest poetry. The 

 philosophy of physical science is a grand epic, the record 

 of natural science a great didactic poem. 



To study science for its useful applications merely, is- 

 to limit its advantages to purely sensual ends. To 

 pursue science for the sake of the truths it may reveal, 

 is an endeavour to advance the elements of human 

 happiness through the intelligence of the race. To 

 avail ourselves of facts for the improvement of art and 

 manufactures, is the duty of every nation moving in the 



