ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES. 163 



illustrating his notions by comparing the feeble 

 races of the south with the hardy races of the 

 north ; he even goes so far as to maintain that, 

 most of our great truths, especially in morals 

 and religion, are of northern origin, or what is 

 equivalent, of the mountain or desert. And, 

 even in our northern regions, he is confident we 

 owe the greatest efforts of genius, whether in 

 science or literature, to winter. He refers, in 

 confirmation, to what Milton says of his muse, 

 how its visitations were mostly between the 

 autumnal and vernal equinox. Turn, he would 

 add, to that great record of science, the " Phi- 

 losophical Transactions," and find if you can 

 any important paper or announcements of dis- 

 covery, unless bearing date of the same period 

 of the year. 



PISCATOR. Speculation is amusing, and, 

 fairly followed out, is always more or less 

 instructive. I hope to see your friend here, 

 and to have his company by my winter fire- 

 side, a proper time and place for discussing 

 such a topic. So far I can agree with him, 

 that difficulties are requisite to stimulate the 

 mind to exertion ; and that nothing very great 

 or good has been accomplished in countries, 



M 2 



