HISTORY OF THE EARTH. 



CHAP. I. 



A SKETCH OF THE UNIVERSE. 



The world may be considered as one vast mansion, where man 

 Las been admitted to enjoy, to admire, and to be grateful. The 

 first desires of savage nature are merely to gratify the impor- 

 tunities of sensual appetite, and to neglect the contemplation of 

 things, barely satisfied with their enjoyment : the beauties of 

 nature, and all the wonders of creation, have but little charms 

 for a being taken up in obviating the wants of the day, and anxi- 

 ous for precarious subsistence. 



Philosophers, therefore, who have testified such surprise at 

 the want of curiosity in the ignorant, seem not to consider that 

 they are usually employed in making provisions of a more im- 

 portant nature ; in providing rather for the necessities than the 

 am.usements of life. It is not tiU our more pressing wants are 

 sufficiently supplied, that we can attend to the calls of curiosity; 

 so that in every age scientific refinement has been the latest 

 eflfort of human industry. 



But human curiosity, though at first slowly excited, being at 

 last possessed of leisure for indulging its propensity, becomes 

 one of the greatest amusements of life, and gives higher satis- 

 factions than what even the senses can aflTord, A man of this 

 disposition turns all nature into a magnificent theatre, replete with 

 objects of wonder and surprise, and fitted up chiefly for his 

 happiness and entertainment : he industriously examines all 

 things, from the minutest insect to the most finished ani- 

 mal ; and, when his limited organs can no longer make the dis- 

 quisition, he sends out his imagination upon new inquiriee, 



A 



