312 Recapitulation. 



tensively to proclaim its views about twenty years' 

 before the close of the period under considera- 

 tion. Tliere is scarcely a single branch of human 

 knowledge to which this scientific and literary 

 perversion has not reached ; and scarcely a ridi- 

 culous or odious form of errour to which it has not 

 given rise. Were these motley and grotesque 

 figures, formed by perverted genius, only intend- 

 ed to traverse the stage, for the temporary pur- 

 pose of amusement, they might excite less of our 

 attention ; but, considering them, as their framers 

 have anxiously desired to make them be consi- 

 dered, as guides to knowledge, and as rules of 

 action, every lover of human happiness will re- 

 gard them with more serious and indignant feel- 

 ings. And although their influence has been 

 counteracted by means which will be presently 

 mentioned, they have yet poisoned the principles 

 and completed the ruin of millions. 



Almost every successive age has some peculia- 

 rity in the style and manner of its philosophers 

 and writers ; some particular livery, which serves 

 to distinguish it from other times. The scientific 

 livery of the last age is, as we have seen, a fan- 

 tastic patch-work, enriched with many beautiful 

 and precious materials, but deformed by the mix- 

 ture of many gaudy colours and false ornaments. 

 Among the latter we may reckon that continual 

 prating about the " energies and progress of 

 Mind,** the " triumph of Reason," the " omnipo- 

 tence of Philosophy," the " perfectibility of M^n," 

 &c., which was never before so loud and frequent; 

 which has been employed, with particular volu- 



