XIY. 



AN "APPLICATION." 



IF there is one class of mind in the world with a 

 native antipathy to improvement, there is another, 

 and much more really mischievous, which seems 

 ever destined to caricature it. As every animal, 

 however noxious and seemingly useless, has its ap- 

 pointed prey, so do the natural enemies of all scien- 

 tific advancement in their own art, trade, or calling, 

 whatever that may be, find a never-failing source of 

 triumph and enjoyment in cracking the bones of 

 blundering Enthusiasts who dog the path of pro- 

 gressing Truth, like distorting shadows, throwing 

 her calm clear profile against each passing object, in 

 every variety of burlesqued and ridiculous outline. 

 It has puzzled philosophers of moderate patience 

 and observation, to reflect upon this fact : forgetting, 

 or never having noticed, the gentle-handed toler- 

 ance which marks the parent discipline of Nature, 



