OCEANIC DISCOVERIES. 231 



the works of Creation, while at the same time it offered to 

 the intellect new and powerful incitements to the improve- 

 ment of . the natural sciences in their physical and mathe- 

 matical departments. ( 361 ) 



The world of objects, now as in Alexander's campaigns 

 but with yet more preponderating power, presented to 

 the combining mind the separate forms of sensible ob- 

 jects, and the concurrent action of animating powers .or 

 forces. The scattered images offered to the contemplation 

 of the senses, notwithstanding their number and diversity, 

 were gradually fused into a concrete whole ; terrestrial nature 

 was conceived in its generality, no longer according to mere 

 presentiments or conjectures floating in varying forms before 

 the eye of fancy, but as a result of actual observation. The 

 vault of heaven also offered to the yet unassisted eye new 

 regions, adorned with constellations before unseen. As I 

 have already remarked, at no period has there been offered 

 to mankind a greater abundance of new facts, or fuller ma- 

 terials for the foundation of comparative physical geography. 

 I may add, that never were geographical or physical disco- 

 veries more influential on human affairs. A larger field of 

 view was opened, commerce was stimulated by a great in 

 crease in the medium of exchange, as well as by a large 

 accession to the number of natural productions valued for 

 use or enjoyment ; above all, there were laid the foundations 

 of colonies, of a magnitude never before known : and through 

 the agency of all these causes, extraordinary changes were 

 wrought in manners and customs, in the condition of ser- 

 vitude long experienced by a portion of mankind, and 

 in their slate awakening to political freedom. 



When a particular epoch thus stands out in the history 



