GENERAL VIEW OF NATURE. 
235 
than that of Botany ; the improvements of future years, we are not 
able to anticipate; but it is probable that as discoveries and im- 
provements are made, they will cluster around the principles already 
established ; each taking its proper place in the various departments 
now arranged for the reception of scientific truths. 
The spirit of our government is highly favourable to the promo- 
tion and dissemination of knowledge; and although Europe may 
boast of many stars which irradiate her firmament of letters, shinin 
with briiUant lustre amidst the surrounding darkness of ignorance 
may we not justly feel a national pride in that more general diffu 
sion of intellectual light, which is radiating from every part, and to 
svery part of the American republic ! 
LECTURE XL VI. 
GENERAL VIEW OF NATURE — ORGANIZED AND INORGANIZED BODIES — CLASSIFI- 
CATION OF ANIMALS. 
Having considered the vegetable kingdom under its various as- 
pects, it may be proper, before closing our course of botanical study, 
to take a general view of that external world of matter, of which 
the part we have examined, extended and diversified as it is, con- 
stitutes but a very small portion. The science you have been inves- 
tigating, with some others, constitutes a general branch of knowl- 
edge termed Natural science. The study of nature presents, in a 
lively and forcible manner, the power and wisdom of the Creator ; 
and offers to the enlightened mind, a never-failing source of the most 
pure and refined enjoyment Those who know nothing of this source 
of happiness, cannot appreciate its value ; they may inquire the use 
of studying into the nature of objects, without any reference to the 
enjoyment of the senses, to personal gain or honour. A celebrated 
naturalist* observes: "The rich and the great imagine, that every 
one is miserable, and out of the world, who does not live as they 
do ; but they are the persons who, living far from nature and from 
God, live out of the world. Misled by the prejudices of a faulty 
education, I have pursued a vain felicity amid the false glories of 
arms, the favour of the great, and sometimes in frivolous and 
dangerous pleasures. I have never been happy but when I trusted 
in God : opposed to Thee, the Author of all things, power is weak- 
ness ! supported by Thee, weakness becomes strength ! When the 
rude northern blasts have ravaged the earth. Thou callest forth the 
feeblest of winds; at the sound of Thy voice, the zephyr breathes, 
the verdure revives, the gentle cowslip and the humble violet cover 
the bosom of the bleak earth with a mantle of gold and purple." 
To the pious reflections of this French writer, we will add the 
following quotation from an English author,! the energies of whose 
rich and cul*ivated intellect M^ere devoted to the cause of religion, 
who viewed nature as a philosopher, but what is far better, as a 
Christian. Happy indv^ed, are those in whom philosophy and Chris- 
tianity are blended, and cu ightful is the intercourse, even in this 
world, between minds thus enlightened and purified ! 
* St. Pierre. 
t Rev. Legh Richmond. 
Science of Botany settled— Difference between tlie state of science in Europe and 
America- Natural science— Reflections on the study of Natural science. 
