SUBJECTS OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. 17 



and incited the labors of the greater portion of our race. Hence have 

 arisen the Arts of Construction and Conveyance; by which not only 

 man himself, but the objects to which he attaches the greatest value, 

 may be protected from the elements ; or transported from place to place, 

 though mountains rear their crests, or oceans roll between. Hence 

 Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce, have sprung from the 

 bosom of the earth ; and with linked hands, and united labors, they 

 have increased and developed the productions of nature, or moulded 

 and modified them, to suit the wants of humanity : then sent them 

 forth into all lands, in exchange for other commodities ; until the world 

 has become as it were a family of nations, each engaged in contri- 

 buting to the general welfare. 



Unhappily for the cause of human improvement, this concord is 

 liable to interruptions ; when nations, like individuals, yield to their 

 angry passions, and, deaf to the voice of reason and justice, rush to 

 the battle field ; far oftener, to gratify their unhallowed ambition, or 

 to avenge fancied wrongs, than to defend the sacred cause of freedom. 

 Thus, the Arts of War have become a part of human knowledge, 

 necessary in self-defence ; though for this sacred object alone can we 

 deem their practice justifiable, or allowable. By their potent aid, a 

 feeble nation, though powerless to carry its attacks abroad, and commit 

 aggressions upon others, may yet be strong to resist aggressions, amid 

 its mountain fastnesses, or behind its fortified walls. Thus provided 

 and protected, the human mind gives scope to other wants, more re- 

 fined and intellectual ; and in the assemblage of beautiful forms, rich 

 colors, harmonious sounds, and graceful exercises, it seeks for occupa- 

 tion and amusement. To leisure, inspired by genius, and guided by 

 taste, do the Fine Arts, the last which relate to material objects, owe 

 their interest, and their being. 



Considered intellectually, man was evidently destined for a state of 

 society : and hence the gift of speech was bestowed, which so far 

 exalts him above the brute creation. The cultivation of this faculty, 

 led to the study of Grammar, and of the various Languages which 

 have arisen among men ; emanations, doubtless, from one primitive 

 tongue. By their aid, history has recorded its facts ; philosophy, its 

 speculations ; science, its principles ; and art, its processes : in short, 

 by their aid, most of the knowledge has been preserved and diffused, 

 which forms the boast and distinction of our race. From the means 

 of communicating our thoughts, we naturally ascend to the source 

 from which they spring : and thus we arrive at the study of the human 

 mind, with its varied faculties and relations ; which collectively form 

 the subject of the Mental Sciences ; including Rhetoric, Logic, 

 Mental and Moral Philosophy, and Education. 



Regarded as social beings, we owe certain duties to our fellow- 

 men, and claim certain rights from them in return. The enforcement 

 of these duties, and the preservation of these rights, is found to require 

 the exercise of power, lodged in some proper hands. Hence govern- 

 ments have originated, and laws been framed; the study of which has 

 expanded into the extensive, and important science of Jurisprudence ; 

 associated with Politics and Political Economy. Again, viewing man 

 in relation to his Creator, new duties arise, which indeed include all 

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