14 



not easy, I would think, to be conversant with 

 such objects, and to derive from them the plea- 

 sures they are capable of affording, without re- 

 tiring from the exercise not only a wiser, but a 

 better man. 



The Love of Nature is implanted, not merely 

 for the purpose of humanizing, but of instructing 

 the mind ; and he who should content himself 

 with the simple but exquisite enjoyment arising 

 from the faculty of Taste, would but partially 

 and feebly pursue the path pointed out by the 

 propensities which the God of nature has be- 

 stowed upon him. 



But it is not the mere superficial view of na- 

 tural appearances which is calculated to engage 

 our attention and interest our hearts. The more 

 eagerly we penetrate into the hidden recesses of 

 nature, and the more importunately we question 

 her, the more astonishing are the discoveries she 

 lays open, and the more readily does she afford 

 a glimpse of the deeper and richer treasures, 

 which lie still beyond our reach, and which far- 

 ther progress, and more devoted assiduity may 

 yet enable us to attain. 



The youthful eye, when it first begins to take 

 a survey of external nature, imagines that it sees 

 and comprehends every thing around it ; but, as 

 it gazes, new scenes arise, new combinations 

 appear, new properties are elicited, wonder on 

 wonder fill the admiring view, till at last it is felt 

 that he who sees farthest, and penetrates deepest, 

 only learns that he knows nothing. The mind 



