294 ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES, 



Deep study and intense application to the subject, 

 the acquirement of ancient and modern know- 

 ledge, a familiarity with the physical and moral 

 constitution of man, and a minute investigation of 

 those principles which are to form the basis of 

 future practice, all mark the intellectual labour 

 bestowed on those very important pursuits ; and 

 which, gradually furnishing the mind with useful 

 knowledge, and the most comprehensive re- 

 sources, are productive of talents the most bril- 

 liant, and in their practical effects, the most 

 beneficial, of any perhaps to which the human 

 mind can be directed. 



But it is in metaphysical disquisitions, and in 

 scientific research, where all the reasoning pow- 

 ers are called into their fullest activity, that the 

 human intellect appears to have reached its 

 highest degree of perfection. 



Thus the whole scope of nature being open to 

 man's view, he investigates her various works 

 with a scrutinizing eye, the situation and struc- 

 ture of each portion, the relative action upon each 

 other, the probable causes by which these effects 

 are produced, and the practical uses to which 

 each minuter part can be applied. 



To promote his researches, he calls into his, 

 aid various systems or sciences of his own inven- 

 tion indeed, but which, being founded upon the 

 immutable laws of nature, evince the comprehen- 

 siveness of his designs, and the genius by whicfy 

 they are directed. 



