26 



By the analytic process, we find that each circle, or depart- 

 ment, according to its superior rank, embraces all those that are 

 below it. Beginning with the circle of the universe, we traverse 

 twelve circles before we arrive at the small animals, whose sta- 

 tions we have just considered, and whose relations have been 

 traced in the opposite direction by the synthetic process till they 

 terminated in the circle of the universe, where all things unite in 

 one great whole. For we proceed from the absolute unity of all 

 things down to the last degree of analysis ; and if it is supposed 

 that we have not yet arrived at the last degree of analysis, that is, 

 (when applied, for instance, to a group of animals,) the highest 

 degree of resemblance that point where no distinction except 

 that ot individuals can be found ; then it is evident we must be- 

 gin at the first extreme, and take the course of analysis; so that we 

 are never without data from which to begin our arrangement ; 

 and if the data be fixed, and the series uniform, every sub-divis- 

 ion will be equally fixed and certain, and show its precise situa- 

 tion in the great scale of science. 



KNOWLEDGE PANTONOMICALLY CONSIDERED. 



Having now given a complete prodromus of the system of the 

 universe, I shall for the sake of illustration make a few observa- 

 tions on different subjects, without taking up the sciences ID. 

 order. 



It is claimed that the world is rapidly increasing in knowledge 

 at the present day. If this be true, we must admit one of two 

 things ; either that human knowledge is a positive evil, or that 

 we are not progressing in the right kind of knowledge ; for no 

 one who takes a correct and impartial view of the present moral 

 state of society, can doubt that there is a deficiency in moral 

 worth, and consequently in true piety, which ill comports with 

 our apparent advantages. 



Now science proclaims that knowledge in its widest sense is 

 inseparably connected with virtue and piety, and consequently a 



