EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
619 
It is by sucli seemingly simple means as these that 
nature effects her mighty changes on the earth^s surface— 
one principle, one power alone, pervading the material uni¬ 
verse. The laws that govern this power have been untir- 
- ingly sought out by man, and some few of them he has 
attained to a knowledge of, and rendered them available for 
many useful purposes. To these others may yet be added 
through the spirit of investigation that has been of late 
years awakened. Nor should this be checked, since the 
more we know the more 'we find there is to be known. 
The mind of man is only rightly employed when acquiring 
knowledge, and it is astonishing how much by culture it may 
be made to imbibe; and yet, after all, how little do we really 
know! A high authority has said, It is an important 
truth that those who do the most seem to find the most to 
do. Men^s performances are regulated, in the main, by their 
will; and if they fall short, it is not because Providence has 
denied them the ability, so much as that their inclinations 
are defective.^^ Still are discretion and judgment requisite, 
for all are not alike endowed, and Milton tells us, 
Knowledge is as food, and needs no less 
Her temperanee over appetite, to know 
In measure what the mind may well contain ; 
Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 
Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind.” 
Nevertheless, limiting the mind in its inquiries leads to its 
becoming contracted and narrowed in its views; and hence 
the value of general information. Rightly has it been said 
by our premier that everything belonging to the profession 
we have entered upon the acquirement of a knowledge of— 
should have our intense and preferential study, but on no 
account should we omit acquiring general information upon 
other matters whenever opportunities present themselves for 
doing so. Whatever may be the profession which a man 
enters, he will perform the duties of that profession better 
by having general knowledge; and that generality of know- 
lege will not interfere with the successful study of what is 
necessaiy for that particular division which he determines to 
become acquainted with. 
