ON HUMAN flAPPINESS. 



437 



vain SHOW but a solid reality, and that every tiling- actually is as it ap- 

 pears to be. So that the theory before us, even in tlie hands of its 

 founder and principal supporter, has strikingly failed in the object for 

 vi^hich it was devised ; and, for all the purposes in question, the former 

 might just as well have continued in the profession of Bishop Berkeley's 

 principles, as have deserted them, and set up a new scheme for himself. 



Under these circumstances 1 'must leave it to the enlightened audience 

 before m^, to choose out of these different hypotheses as they may think 

 best. For myself I freely confess, that I have no ambition to soar into 

 the higher rank and the infallible knowledge of an instinctive creature, 

 and shall modestly content myself with the humbler character of a rational 

 and intelligent being, still steadily steering by the lowly but sober lamps of 

 a Bacon, a Newton, a Locke, a Butler, a Price, and a Paley, instead of 

 being captivated by the beautiful and brilliant, but Yacillating and illusive, 

 coruscations of these northern lights. 



LECTURE YIL 



ON HUMAN HArriNESS. 



It has required, I apprehend, but a very slight attention to the course 

 of study we have lately been follownng up, to be convinced of the trutii 

 of the remark with which we opened the series, — I mean, that the subject 

 it proposed to discuss is, of all subjects whatever that relate to human 

 entity, the most difficult and intractable. And absurd and visionary as 

 have been many of the opinions, which it has brought before us, let us, in 

 conclusion, check all undue levity, by recollecting that they are the ab- 

 surdities and visions of the first philosophers and sages of their respective 

 periods ; of the wisest, and, with a few exceptions, of the best of man- 

 kind ; to whom, in most other respects, we ought to bow with implicit 

 homage, and who have only foundered from too daring a spirit of adven- 

 ture, and amidst rocks and shoals which laugh at the experience of the 

 pilot. 



For myself, I freely confess to you, that my own hopes of success are 

 but very humble. I have done my best, how^ever, to render the subject in- 

 telligible ; and if in the progress of it I should also have betrayed dreams 

 and absurdities, I have only to entreat that they may be visited with the 

 candour which I have endeavoured to extend to others ; fully aware that 

 the ablest arguments I have been able to submit are not fitted, if I may 

 adopt the eloquent words of Mr. Burke, " to abide the test of a captious 

 controversy, but of a sober, and even forgiving examination ; that they 

 are not armed at all points for battle, but dressed to visit those who are 

 willing to give a peaceful entrance to truth." 



There is one point, however, and the most important point we have 

 contemplated, in which all the different schools seem to be agreed, — I 

 mean, that of moral distinctions. Whatever may be the roads the dif- 

 ferent travellers have hghted upon, whether short or circuitous, smooth or 

 entangled, they all at last find themselves, in this respect, arrive at the 

 same central spot ; and coincide in prescribing the same rules of duty, en-, 

 joining the same conduct, and, with a few exceptions, delivering the same 

 determinations . No philosopher in the world has ever dreamed of con- 



