278 



LECTURE VI. 



be asked how I can suppose a distinct sen- 

 tient principle to be formed, added, or 

 connected ? To which I answer, it is im- 

 possible to entertain any supposition on 

 these subjects, because we can have no 

 knowledge but what is derived from our 

 perceptions. Yet I can firmly believe, that 

 there may be, and are things, of the nature 

 of which we can never entertain the least 

 idea, from their having no correspondence 

 to the objects of our senses. To me it 

 seems, that true philosophy shows us the 

 imperfection of our senses, and limitation 

 of our powers ; so that by a kind of light 

 which it elicits from our own ignorance, 

 it instructs us in the lessons of humility. 



By adopting the opinions which I feel it 

 my duty to inculcate, we not only avoid 

 many difficulties and absurdities, but also 

 perceive the scheme of nature to be beau- 

 tiful and benevolent ; and we are excited to 

 actions useful to others, and honourable to 

 ourselves. Nature has given life an active 

 power to vegetables, which occasionally 

 evinces its activity even in them by irri- 



