INTRODUCTION. 2 1 



developed than theirs, for the very purpose of arousing the latent 

 energies of his mind. The greater the difficulties presented by 

 circumstances to the supply of his wants, the more are his intel- 

 lectual faculties called into exercise for their gratification. And 

 when once excited to action, who shall set the limit to their 

 development ? The mind requires occupation, as much as the 

 body requires food. And as we select those substances for the 

 nutriment of the corporeal structure, which are best adapted to 

 support its strength and to complete its growth, so should we 

 prefer those materials for the development and invigoration of 

 the mental powers, which are by their nature and tendency 

 most fit to expand and elevate them. If there be no assignable 

 limit to the powers of the human mind, it is obvious that they 

 should be employed on objects equally extensive. Nothing can 

 be more prejudicial to its healthy action, than to confine it to 

 some exclusive and monotonous occupation ; and nothing, on the 

 other hand, can be more favourable to the development of its 

 higher faculties and nobler aspirations, than to turn it. if only 

 for the brief periods of relaxation which the necessary labours 

 and cares of the world may leave unoccupied, to the contempla- 

 tion of the works of the Great Author of the Universe. It is 

 here alone that its powers can find their full scope; for here 

 alone can it be felt, that however great the amount of knowledge 

 attained, it is as nothing compared with that which is yet to be 

 unfolded by Infinite Wisdom ; and that, however great the 

 triumphs of human skill, they are as nothing to the wonders of 

 Almighty Power. All other departments of knowledge have 

 their limit ; and much of what is brought together by the labours 

 of a protracted life, dies with the scholar by whose toil it has 

 been collected. But in the study of Natural Science, no step 

 once gained is ever lost ; for it serves to plant the succeeding 

 footsteps, by which other minds may rise into yet nearer com- 

 munion with the Creator, and gain a wider survey of his works. 

 But as all his attributes are Infinite, not even Eternity can be 

 sufficient to unfold them to the beings He has created. 



