202 SUPPLEMENTAL HISTORY OP MAN. 



proached the quadrumana, says Cuvier, nearer than 

 any variety of the human species yet observed. 



The subjects which, in this brief treatise have 

 been thus transiently noticed involve many points of 

 doubt, and many questions of controversy — some of 

 these research and learning may eventually solve, 

 but there are others altogether out of the reach of 

 man's acquirement : the pride of learning, however, 

 can ill brook apparent defeat, and human wisdom 

 is too prone, in the overweening confidence of its 

 own powers, to take darkness for light, and to admit 

 hypothetical speculation for established certainty. 



Hence, perhaps, arises the prevailing error of at- 

 tributing too much to secondary causes, especially 

 in the phenomena of nature, which may, in general, 

 be found to depend on a series more or less exten- 

 sive of material agents. When these are traced to 

 the utmost reach of investigation, it is surely the 

 height of absurdity, however common it may be in 

 practice, to forget the dependence of the whole on 

 the first great Cause of all. In the language of the 

 poet: 



This truth, philosophy, though eagle-eyed 

 In nature's tendencies, oft overlooks ; 

 And, having found his instrument, forgets 

 Or disregards, or, more presumptuous still, 

 Denies the pow'r that wields it. God proclaims 

 His hot displeasure against foolish men 

 That live an atheist life ; involves, the heaven 



