xiv MEMOIRS OF THE 
completely master of the subject than any other person, he 
commenced, by issuing the following proposals. 
“ It must be allowed, that all human knowledge ought 
to be subservient to the good of society ; and in proportion 
as this is advanced by any science, so ought that science to 
be held in esteem. 
“ Providence, in his unerring wisdom, having allotted 
to mankind different capacities, and implanted in them pro- 
pensities to particular pursuits, so that what is matter of the 
greatest satisfaction to one, shall be perfectly insipid to 
another ; it is no wonder that they should differ so widely 
in the apprehended utility of their respective employments; 
each, from a principal predominant in the human mind, 
being willing to think his own of the greatest importance. 
And so strongly is this idea impressed on the minds of 
some, as to betray them into narrowness of thinking, incon- 
sistent with that liberality of sentiment, which would excite 
a wish for the universal increase of science, when connected, 
even in the remotest degree, with the interests of mankind. 
Without derogating, then, in the least from the utility of 
other arts, I shall, in a few words, endeavour to point out 
the advantages of Botany ; a science which this design is 
particularly intended to promote. : 
“ Among all the studies which engage mankind, few 
are attended with circumstances equally pleasing in their 
pursuit ; few can boast that infinite variety of objects, which 
are perpetually engaging our attention, and inviting us to 
partake of pleasures equally rational and innocent. 
** It is a science, which has been cultivated by the 
wisest of mankind ; and particularly, by the most distin- 
guished professors of the Medical art. Here, as philoso- 
phers, we may admire and contemplate the wonderful works 
of an Almighty Being. What an infinite display of wisdom 
is observable in the different modes of the growth and 
propagation of plants! What care is taken in perpetuating 
