12 INTRODUCTION. 



young would be most likely to be interested in the 

 pursuit. 



T. For this purpose, which seems the more use- 

 ful, general contemplation of what is beautiful and 

 sublime in the works of nature, or examining carefully 

 into particular instances of design ? 



A. To gain clear and distinct impressions, it is 

 necessary to inspect single examples minutely, and 

 to fix our attention upon the details of divine wisdom 

 and goodness. 



T. What example most directly invites our no- 

 tice ? 



A. That example we have in ourselves, seems 

 most immediately our concern. Every part of the 

 universe may be equally curious, but none can be so 

 interesting to us, as our own frame. Whatever we 

 may know of the wisdom displayed in our own struc- 

 ture, how frequent are the occasions which remind us 

 of it ! We cannot but feel the most sensibly that 

 care which is manifested for our own benefit. Not a 

 child could be indifferent to an instance of divine 

 goodness, immediately concerning himself. We need 

 not be anatomists, but we certainly ought to possess 

 some general knowledge of those exhibitions of Al- 

 mighty power and skill which have the most intimate 

 claims upon our regard. 



T. What you are to describe, is only a general 

 outline of our wonderful machine. The object is not 

 to teach you a system of anatomy, but merely to no- 

 tice some of the leading marks of design in the hu- 

 man frame, so fearfully and wonderfully made. I 



