CVll 



write with the admirable lucidity and ease of 

 Laplace, but he has greater strength, more inten- 

 sity, richer poetic vision. He delights to quote 

 Pope and v. Haller, his favourite English and 

 German poets Addison, too, once and always 

 with perfect aptness. I agree with Dr. Cairns that 

 Kant 'never surpassed the style of this treatise.' 

 It is clear, forcible, nervous throughout, and often 

 rises in its physical descriptions to the picturesque 

 and sublime. The description of ' a burning sun ' 

 at page 162 and of the rise and perishing of worlds, 

 and his glimpses of cosmic scenery generally, are 

 all masterly and impressive. Nor are they lacking 

 in touches of humour, and startling effects produced 

 by the contrast and blending of appropriate and 

 telling imagery. Sir William Hamilton says it 

 may be questioned whether Homer or Aristotle 

 had the greater imagination ; certainly we find 

 the modern scientific imagination already here, at 

 full vigorous play, in Kant. Among his other 

 merits we may justly claim for him that he was 

 the precursor of the popular scientific writer, and 

 that in the exercise of the power of throwing a 

 certain charm and fascination over profound scien- 

 tific speculations he has not yet been surpassed. 



I leave Kant in this connection with a greatly 

 heightened estimate of his genius and marvellous 

 powers. Every page of what follows shows the 

 original and creative work of a master - mind, 



