ral, or our political situation; and though the last only falls strictly within our subject, I would entreat the reader's indulgence to a few previous observations on the two for

mer.

1. First then, as to our natural situation. When a man travels into a foreign land, his eye is directed to the face of the country; and should any new and singular phenomena present themselves, they naturally awaken his curiosity, and call forth his researches. Something like this is the case when, after the dawn of reason, we enter upon the great scene of the universe. Suppose a boy, who has begun to exert his understanding, should observe the sun rising behind a certain hill; and some months afterward should observe him rise behind another hill at some distance from the former; he will be curious to know the reason of this difference. Or, if he see the moon at first scarcely visible as a crescent, then in a semicircular form, and afterwards at the full, he will be equally curious to understand the cause of this changeable appearance; and this is a disposition which ought to be

encouraged, and, as far as possible, to be gratified. As his reason advances, and he is able to take a more extensive view of nature, he may be prompted, by the same inquisitive temper, to carry his researches into the vegetable, the animal, or the mineral kingdoms; he may endeavour to analyse the air, and, ascending above the atmosphere, to determine the laws of the planetary revolutions, and to explore the starry regions. And provided this excursive curiosity be regulated by those just rules of philosophy laid down by Bacon, and above all, by a regard to the divine will, which ought undoubtedly to direct and limit all our pursuits, it is both rational and laudable; It may subserve many useful purposes of life, and manifest the glory of the Creator, whose works are great and admirable, and "sought out* of all them that have pleasure there

2. Our moral situation is an object of still more important and rational curiosity. To know the things around us in their natural

virtues and properties, may indeed contribute to our present use and convenience; but to know them morally, or as they infer certain duties and obligations on our part, is a point of far greater concernment; as it bears an immediate respect to our real and final happiness. This ought therefore to call forth our most diligent and critical investigation; which, in order to be successful, must first proceed in an ascending scale from the creature to the Creator, whose will, informed by his wisdom, is that which renders binding and obligatory upon us, what before at most could only be discerned to be fit and congruous. In this way may some knowledge be obtained of the obligations we are under both towards God and man. But as nature alone fails to give us any full or clear information even of our duty; and fails still more to afford us any solid ground on which to build our future hopes and expectations; we must be content, after all our philosophic efforts, to have recourse to the page of revelation; we must search the scriptures*,

* John v. 39. “ Ερευνᾶτε τὰς γραφάς.-In voce έρευναν

examine, trace, and narrowly investigate these divine records, since in them we have eternal life. Here all our curiosity should be awakened, and here it is most apt to slumber*; for however men may be stimulated to seek after God in his works of nature and providence, the number is comparatively few of those who humbly and obediently seek him in his word; though it is by this only that he has manifested himself in a manner proportioned to our weakness, and consolatory to our fears and our necessities.

3. We proceed now to consider how far our political situation is an object of legitimate inquiry and laudable curiosity; after which, the way will be open for a few remarks on that idle humour noted in the title of this section, and which it is the

quidam statuunt metaphoram à canum sagacitate sumptam, ut significet sagaciter aliquid inquirere, atque é latebris eruere; sed præstat à metallis metaphoram ductam dicere." LEIGH'S Crit. Sacra.

* "Non libet rectiùs suspicari, non libet propiùs experiri; hìc tantùm curiositas humana torpescit." TERTUL. Apol. cap. 1.

part of every good citizen carefully to avoid.

(1.) An inquiry into our political situation is both allowable and necessary, inasmuch as a considerable part of our conduct ought to be regulated by the law of the land in which our lot is cast. It is this law which constitutes many of the duties that we owe to our country, to our prince, and to our fellow-citizens; and, consequently, without a degree of attention paid to it, we must be in continual danger of violating those constituted duties, notwithstanding our real inclination to discharge them. Hence arises the obligation we are under to acquaint ourselves with the political, as well as with the moral and natural, circumstances in which we are placed.

(2.) In the next place, This inquiry, besides being enforced by duty, is a matter of laudable curiosity. Every product of human ingenuity, if at all useful, is something to be examined and admired; the structure of a building, furnished with all suitable offices and apartments for the accommodation of a numerous houshold; or the frame of one