4 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



Having conceived the idea of a particular figure, 

 and determined to construct one, the next point to 

 be settled, would be the kind of materials of which 

 to fashion it. Having chosen bone, and shaped 

 his image according to his preconceived idea, the 

 first of the series of single ideas forming the one 

 complex idea would be realized ; and a solid statue 

 of bone would be the result a mere image of the 

 human form. 



Contemplating the work of his hands, the desire 

 of endowing it with powers of locomotion might 

 then occur to him. In order to accomplish this, 

 the artificer would find it necessary, first, to divide 

 the statue into parts, (re-uniting these parts by 

 means of joints,) and then to contrive a number of 

 motive instruments, which, being attached to the 

 jointed statue, might enable it to move : as the 

 mechanic who wishes to move a heavy weight must 

 first construct his instruments of motion, such as, 

 wheels, pulleys, levers, &c. Having effected this 

 contrivance, the second idea of the series would be 

 realized the idea of the muscular system. 



But when he had contrived and attached his 

 muscles, he would find that the particular shape 

 and general appearance, which he had predeter- 

 mined his work should bear, was quite destroyed, 



