D'ALEMBERT. 487 



as the other two the pleasure derived from mere knowledge, 

 without any view to our own bodily enjoyments : and this 

 applies to all classes, the idle as well as the industrious, if, 

 indeed, it be not peculiarly applicable to those who enjoy the 

 inestimable blessing of having time at their command. Every 

 man is by nature endowed with the power of gaining know- 

 ledge ; and the taste for it, the capacity to be pleased with it, 

 forms equally a part of the natural constitution of his mind. 

 It is his own fault, or the fault of his education, if he derives 

 no gratification from it. There is a satisfaction in knowing 

 what others know in not being more ignorant than those we 

 live with : there is a satisfaction in knowing what others do 

 not know in being more informed than they are. But this 

 is quite independent of the pure pleasure of knowledge of 

 gratifying a curiosity implanted in us by Providence, to lead 

 us towards the better understanding of the universe in which 

 our lot is cast, and the nature wherewithal we are clothed. 

 That every man is capable of being delighted with extending 

 his information upon matters of science, will be evident from 

 a few plain considerations. 



Reflect how many parts of the reading, even of persons 

 ignorant of all sciences, refer to matters wholly unconnected 

 with any interest or advantage to be derived from the know- 

 ledge acquired. Every one is amused with reading a story : 

 a romance may divert some, and a fairy tale may entertain 

 others ; but no benefit beyond the amusement is derived from 

 this source: the imagination is gratified; and we willingly 

 spend a good deal of time and a little money in this gratifica- 

 tion, rather than in resting after fatigue, or any other bodily 

 indulgence. So we read a newspaper, without any view to 

 the advantage we are to gain from learning the news, but 

 because it interests and amuses us to know what is passing. 

 One object, no doubt, is to become acquainted with matters 

 relating to the welfare of the country ; but we also read the 

 occurrences which do little or not at all regard the public 

 interests, and we take a pleasure in reading them. Accidents, 

 adventures, anecdotes, crimes, and a variety of other things 

 amuse us, independent of the information respecting public 

 affairs, in which we feel interested as citizens of the state, or 

 as members of a particular body. It is of little importance to 



