system of institutions or arrangements, there fore, can be formed, which will remain at all times well adapted to his condition. In a scene which, by the successive improvement of every art, Nature intends to exist in a state of continual fluctuation, the chief source of error is that presumption by which, on the one hand, men imagine they have devised arrangements, which in all possible circumstances will remain for ever and unalterably suitable to the condition of human society; or by which, on the other hand, they attempt to foresee, and too hastily to aid the changes which Nature is gradually accomplishing in the world, before she has fully developed her own plan of operation. It is from this last circumstance that philosophers often fall into errors, which to ordinary minds seem to demonstrate wonderful weakness. Thus our ablest men repeatedly issued erroneous predictions about the highest amount to which what is called the funding system, or British national debt, was capable of being carried. This grand political experiment is proceeding, like all other events, under the management of Providence, for the instruction of future times: individuals, however, for some time after its commencement, without waiting the result, only exhibited instances of human rashnesss, by attempting to say where it was to terminate. When the experiment shall either have been completed, or shall have drawn very near to a close, it will then only become a sure source of instruction, which will render it no difficult matter for men of sense to foretel the result of such experiments in after times. In whatever relates, therefore, to the condition of man in this world, there is no other means of attaining to the knowledge of absolute truth, than that of observing the variety of forms which the human mind is capable of assuming in every possible situation. The world has existed long enough to afford much information in this respect. If we still exist at too early a period of its history to be able to complete the investigation of the human character, that circumstance, while it demonstrates that the field of Moral Science can never be fully occupied, ought at the same time to operate as a lesson of moderation, or a warning against the presumption of those who either imagine, that, by running before nature, they can state a complete system of truth upon this subject, or who would treat with severity any attempt to advance notions which the present generation may regard as bearing the aspect of novelty CHAP. VI. OF THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE WITHOUT pursuing farther the consideration of the different ways in which the human understanding may be exerted in the investigation of truth, I shall make a few short remarks upon the degrees of attention due to different objects of speculation. Human knowledge may be divided into three branches; Morals, Physics, and Mathematics. The study of Morals, or of the part which men ought to act in this world, evidently holds the first place in point of importance. It is more important that a man should discern clearly the great end of his existence, and the means by which it is to be successfully pursued, than that he should become acquainted with any subordinate branch of knowledge; for all knowledge and every pursuit must necessarily be subordinate to this. Things are so contrived in this world, that its business usually goes forward without much discernment, on the part of the actors, of the great purposes of Providence to which they are subservient; but this discernment, when it can be attained, not only contributes to the worth and excellence of our nature, but also enables individuals to fulfil the particular duties allotted to them in life with more satisfaction, and consequently with greater energy. The human race are so situated in this world, that the greater number of them must engage in severe labours; and the rest are induced voluntarily to submit to much teil. But moments of reflection are apt to come upon all men. The poor man sometimes becomes dissatisfied with his condition; the wise are apt to stand still, and to question the utility of all their cares; and the unhappy have at times dropped their task, to consider why it ought not to be abandoned for ever; men of science have said of books that they are unprofitable, and produce only weariness ; and men of business have suspected, that the bustle of life is an idle labour that brings no adequate reward. These are difficulties which moral science ought to explain. It accordingly teaches us, that our success in life depends, not upon the pleasures we enjoy or the situations we occupy, but upon the intelligence and vigour of character which we acquire; that labour and anxiety, as the chief sources of these qualities, ought to be numbered among the best blessings bestowed upon our nature; and that, in this point of view, even misery itself may at times be regarded as not ultimately cala-mitous. It is therefore the duty, not of one or two, but of all mankind, to attend to the principles of moral science. One man may be an astronomer, another a mechanic, and a third an husbandman; but each of them ought to understand the ultimate object of his labour, and the true or moral value to himself and to mankind of astronomy, of mechanics, or of agriculture. This knowledge gives a dignity to every occupation, and importance to every useful employment. It confers upon our efforts proper attribute of intelligence and rationality, that of always pursuing an important end, and of doing nothing without a valuable purpose. By investigating the situation of man in this world, and by discerning the effects which it has a tendency to produce, the mechanic, the husbandman, and all who are active in the service of society, will find that it is only by their own ignorance that their employment becomesilliberal and mean; that they ought not to regard themselves merely as toiling for bread to support a joyless or obscure existence they are actually contributing to create and to preserve in the universe an immense mass of intelli the |