14 



you should choose and determine your own. I 

 shall take occasion, in other parts of these Let- 

 ters, to shew, that the same uncertainty per- 

 vades your opinions, not only on moral subjects, 

 but in those departments of knowledge which 

 relate more immediately to your professional 

 studies. But, at present, I would only beg you 

 to reflect whether you are authorized, in this 

 sceptical state of mind, to enter upon topics 

 which are not essentially connected with ana- 

 tomical and surgical pursuits. Can it answer 

 any one useful or honourable purpose, to un- 

 settle the opinions of young men, who are just 

 entering on the world, and who are exposed to 

 all the temptations of a luxurious metropolis? 

 If your physiological principles have led you to 

 this state of doubt and uncertainty, why should 

 you think it necessary to spread the infection ? 

 Cannot you be content to enjoy the reputa- 

 tion of an able professor of anatomy and sur- 

 gery, without aspiring to the fame of an intel- 

 lectual philosopher ? 



You confess yourself an ardent admirer of the 

 French and continental schools, and are evi- 

 dently fond of adducing the names of Voltaire 

 and Volney, in defence of your opinions. I 

 trust that I am not insensible to the high lite- 

 rary merits of these and other foreigners ; but 

 if in your admiration of their writings, you 

 expect to introduce amongst us the spirit of 

 their speculations, I trust, and confidently be- 

 lieve, that you will be signally defeated in your 



