PKEFACE. 
IX 
large watch, the springs and movements of 
which are employed to teach us something 
more than is visibly represented by them ; and 
therefore the naturalist who spends his whole 
time in barely observing the play and action 
of these movements, without carrying his in- 
quiries further, is no better than an American 
savage ; he labours to find out what is not 
necessary for him to know, and perhaps im- 
possible for him to comprehend, and neglects 
the only main point, which is to know what 
the watch is good for.” 
How many persons daily verify these ob- 
servations of the excellent Abbe LaPluche! 
IIow many examine the different objects of 
the three natural kingdoms, not as if they 
were created for any good or particular pur- 
pose ; not as if a designing Providence had 
any share in their formation ; but as matters 
of idle curiosity, that are to be seen to-daj r , 
and forgotten to-morrow. Nature has no 
charms to arrest the attention of these per- 
sons beyond the moment ; they feel no in- 
clination to be better acquainted with her; 
