P A NTONOMY, 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



THERE is a difference between the effects of local and general 

 knowledge, and there is a wide difference between that isolated 

 knowledge of facts, or arts, which the world calls practical, 

 and those universal principles of science upon which all art 

 as well as knowledge must depend for its correctness. Aided by 

 the advantages of the former, it isin this'latter sense that knowledge 

 becomes the true source of progressive improvement and happi- 

 ness, and lays a permanent foundation for moral and religious 

 truth on the firm basis of the physical and exact sciences. 



Wherever an increase of this knowledge is introduced, its en- 

 livening influence upon the character and condition of society is 

 no less certain than that of the rising sun upon material creation. 

 At the approach of the latter, animal and vegetable nature seem 

 to expand with additional life and activity ; they not only feel his 

 direct power, but they become expanded with capacity to receive 

 additional nourishment from the surrounding earth and atmos- 

 phere, and the influence also extends far beyond the objects imme- 

 diately affected, for they become relatives by which other objects 

 are energised, the reflected rays are thrown out in all directions 

 from object to object and even far into the shade, so that all things 

 reciprocate the general influence; the proper materials of life are 

 transfused throughout material organization music is heard in 

 the grove beauty and incense come forth from the unfolding 

 flower ; all the variety of colors are displayed and even the cold 

 mineral shines with a dazzling lustre. And thus it is with the 

 mind at the approach of science, for its influence cannot be con- 

 fined it will impart an invigorating power to all within its reach, 



