GENERAL VIEW OF NATURE. 
236 
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, shining 
with brilhant 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 
every part of the American republic I 
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 enhghtened mind, a never-faihng 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 fehcity 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 Enghsh author,! the energies of whose 
rich and cultivated intellect vvere devoted to the cause of rehgion, 
who viewed nature as a philosopher, but what is far better, as a 
Christian. Happy indeed, are those in whom philosophy and Chris- 
tianity are blended, and delightful is the intercourse, even in this 
world, between minds thus enhghtened and purified! 
* St. Pierre. 
t Rev. Legh Richmond. 
Science of Botany settled— Difference between the state of science in Europe and 
Amenca— Natural science— Reflections on the study of Natural science. 
