ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES, 



In a still higher degree are the inventive facul- 

 ties illustrated, in the mechanism of those finer 

 pieces of workmanship, in which the greatest skill 

 is required for the formation of their several parts, 

 and the nicest adjustment in their application, to 

 qualify them to answer the intended purpose, of 

 which the improved chronometer is a splendid 

 example ; and if to these, we add the other 

 various discoveries and inventions that from time 

 to time have been made, and the useful applica- 

 tions to which they have been adapted the first 

 formation of letters, by which the art of writing 

 was produced the manufacture of gunpowder, 

 cannon, and small fire arms, with the science and 

 art of war, as at present practised the discovery 

 of the mariner's compass, and the improvements 

 in navigation in all its branches the art of print- 

 ing the invention of clocks and watches, of the 

 barometer, thermometer, and of magnifying 

 glasses, by which defective vision is obviated, 

 and (as in the microscope) the minuter objects of 

 nature can be demonstrated the discovery of 

 the circulation of the blood, of the laws of gra- 

 vitation, and the causes of the tides the estab- 

 lishment of the Copernican or solar system, and 

 the improvements which astronomy has derived 

 from the invention of telescopes the mechanism 

 of mill and other machinery the expansive and 

 impelling power of steam, with all its diversified 

 applications the lighting of our houses and 



