XIV. 

 AN 'APPLICATION.' 



IF there is one class of mind in the world with a 

 native antipathy to improvement, there is another, 

 and much more really mischievous, which seems ever 

 destined to caricature it. As every animal, however 

 noxious, and seemingly useless, has its appointed 

 prey, so do the natural enemies of all scientific ad- 

 vancement in their own art, trade, or calling, what- 

 ever that may be, find a never failing source of 

 triumph and enjoyment in cracking the bones of 

 blundering Enthusiasts who dog the path of pro- 

 gressing Truth, like distorting shadows, throwing 

 her calm clear profile against each passing object, in 

 every variety of burlesqued and ridiculous otitline. 

 It has puzzled philosophers of moderate patience and 

 observation, to reflect upon this fact : forgetting, or 

 never having noticed, the gentle-handed tolerance 



