288 ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES, 



does he acquaint himself with the quality of the 

 different soils, with the improvement of which 

 they are susceptible, and with the materials and 

 labour by which that improvement is to be ef- 

 fected ! How judiciously he selects the suitable 

 seeds, and by measured step, commits them to the 

 earth, so as, in due season, to vegetate in equal 

 proportions throughout the whole of the space to 

 which they have been applied ! How many im- 

 plements has he invented, and animals domes- 

 ticated, to facilitate and give effect to this most 

 useful of occupations ; and what attention has he 

 not paid, and labour bestowed, to turn to profit- 

 able account the several branches of which it is 

 composed I 



Should his attention be directed to the arts, 

 his physical and intellectual capacities are still 

 more comprehensively called into action. For 

 great strength and labour are required to manufac- 

 ture the more bulky articles, much nicety and dis- 

 crimination in the construction of those which are 

 complicated ; while his best resources are exerted 

 to find out and prepare new materials, to keep 

 pace with the improvements, which increased 

 knowledge is constantly effecting. 



Thus not satisfied with the various productions 

 of the surface or the earth, he must examine its 

 internal contents also, by penetrating into its 

 depths, and bringing up to his use, a variety of 

 substances, of which no application can be made 



