62 LECTURE 11. 



dently original opinions ; or that the works 

 of his own hands were copied from those 

 of others. If others preceded him, he 

 will still appear like Ferguson the astro- 

 nomer ; who, whilst a shepherd's boy, drew 

 accurate charts of the Heavens, knew the 

 course of the planets, was acquainted with 

 the nature and application of the mecha- 

 nical powers, constructed various time- 

 keepers, planned and executed sun-dials in 

 different aspects for his neighbours ; and 

 when at length his fame attracted the 

 notice of the surrounding gentry, and a 

 subscription was raised to send him to 

 Edinburgh, that such rare talents might 

 not remain uncultivated; he was, as he 

 said, surprised to learn that all he knew 

 and much more had been already known. 

 Both instances will serve to show the 

 extent of knowledge which rarely-gifted 

 individuals are capable of acquiring by 

 their own observation, ingenuity, industry, 

 and reflection. 



In the first department of his Museum, 

 Mr. Hunter displays the firm and rigid 



