678 THE CHOICE OF A SITUATION", &C. BOOK III. 



is too much neglected, and has a bad tendency on the indi- 

 vidual, and on society at large, in several points of view. Let 

 the reader recollect what Shenstone suffered on this account*. 



Lastly, it may be observed, that unless true religion and ex- 

 tensive moral reflections enter into all our studies of nature, 

 persons of delicate taste and uncorrupted minds will never 

 enjoy true happiness, even in a country residence. There is an 

 intellectual repose and refined mental pleasure, which arises 

 from the relative contemplation of all nature — from the dis- 

 covery and contemplation of the links of that endless chain by 

 which every thing is connected, and by the perception of that 

 wonderful expression or mind which pervades the whole 

 universe. There is as great a difference perceived in nature by 

 studying it in parts, either as a painter, sculptor, or botanist, 

 and studying it in this way, as there is between the expression 

 of a marble statue, and that of a graceful woman. The one 

 mode of study has no necessary connection with the moral ac- 

 tions of men; the other tends to regulate and harmonize themf. 

 The one contracts the mind ; the other contributes to the ful- 

 lest developement of the human' faculties, which is, without 



doubt, TO ANSWER THE END OE OUR EXISTENCE. 



* (C Domestic life in rural leisure past! 



Few know thy value, and few taste thy sweets." 



f See Hartley on Man, Bates's Rural Philosophy, $Cc. 



