AS RELATED TO TASTE. 53 



we delight in, we see to be necessary to the very 

 existence of the structure, and we forget that this is 

 true of every other in the sweep of the all-embracing 

 curve. This tendency to consider every object of 

 our interest or study as a condition for other good, 

 rather than as itself equally depending upon others, 

 is seen in every pursuit ; and probably no man is so 

 liberal in his education as to be entirely free from 

 this tendency. The study of nature is thus judged 

 of and directed according to the stand-point of the 

 observer. Each one has his own measure of utility, 

 and nature is to him valuable as she seems to expand 

 when he applies this test. The mere man of busi- 

 ness sees in money the hope of the world the main- 

 spring of progress, and the price of every thing de- 

 sirable. "What are the laws of Mechanics to him, 

 but that his warehouses may be strong and his 

 machinery fitted for its work? What use of Astron- 

 omy, but for the guiding of ships, to shorten the 

 passage and reduce the insurance? What good in 

 Natural History, but that the earth may be made to 

 yield more abundant products from her soil, unlock 

 her mines of coal, and become a grand specie-paying 



