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every exigence of human life。 By means of such compositions；
virtue becomes amiable； science agreeable； company
instructive； and retirement entertaining。
Man is a reasonable being； and as such； receives from
science his proper food and nourishment： But so narrow are
the bounds of human understanding； that little satisfaction
can be hoped for in this particular； either from the extent
of security or his acquisitions。 Man is a sociable； no less
than a reasonable being： But neither can he always enjoy
company agreeable and amusing； or preserve the proper relish
for them。 Man is also an active being； and from that
disposition； as well as from the various necessities of
human life； must submit to business and occupation： But the
mind requires some relaxation； and cannot always support its
bent to care and industry。 It seems； then； that nature has
pointed out a mixed kind of life as most suitable to the
human race； and secretly admonished them to allow none of
these biases to too much； so as to incapacitate them
for other occupations and entertainments。 Indulge your
passion for science； says she； but let your science be
human； and such as may have a direct reference to action and
society。 Abstruse thought and profound researches I
prohibit； and will severely punish； by the pensive
melancholy which they introduce； by the endless uncertainty
in which they involve you； and by the cold reception which
your pretended discoveries shall meet with； when
communicated。 Be a philosopher； but； amidst all your
philosophy； be still a man。
Were the generality of mankind contented to prefer the
easy philosophy to the abstract and profound； without
throwing any blame or contempt on the latter； it might not
be improper； perhaps； to comply with this general opinion；
and allow every man to enjoy； without opposition； his own
taste and sentiment。 But as the matter is often carried
farther； even to the absolute rejecting of all profound
reasonings； or what is commonly called ； we
shall now proceed to consider what can reasonably be pleaded
in their behalf。
We may begin with observing； that one considerable
advantage； which results from the accurate and abstract
philosophy； is； its subserviency to the easy and humane；
which； without the former； can never attain a sufficient
degree of exactness in its sentiments； precepts； or
reasonings。 All polite letters are nothing but pictures of
human life in various attitudes and situations； and inspire
us with different sentiments； of praise or blame； admiration
or ridicule； according to the qualities of the object； which
they set before us。 An artist must be better qualified to
succeed in this undertaking； who； besides a delicate taste
and a quick apprehension； possesses an accurate knowledge of
the internal fabric； the operations of the understanding；
the workings of the passions； and the various species of
sentiment which discriminate vice and virtue。 How painful
soever this inward search or enquiry may appear； it becomes；
in some measure； requisite to those； who would describe with
success the obvious and outward appearances of life and
manners。 The anatomist presents to the eye the most hideous
and disagreeable objects； but his science is useful to the
painter in delineating even a V/ENUS or an H/ELEN。 While
the latter employs all the richest colours of his art； and
gives his figures the most graceful and engaging airs； he
must still carry his attention to the inward structure of
the human body； the position of the muscles； the fabric of
the bones； and the use and figure of every part or organ。
Accuracy is； in every case； advantageous to beauty； and just
reasoning to delicate sentiment。 In vain would we exalt the
one by depreciating the other。
Besides； we may observe； in every art or profession；
even those which most concern life or action； that a spirit
of accuracy； however acquired； carries all of them nearer
their perfection； and renders them more subservient to the
interests of society。 And though a philosopher may live
remote from business； the genius of philosophy； if carefully
cultivated by several； must gradually diffuse itself
throughout the whole society； and bestow a similar
correctness on every art and calling。 The politician will
acquire greater foresight and subtility； in the subdividing
and balancing of power； the lawyer more method and finer
principles in his reasonings； and the general more
regularity in his discipline； and more caution in his plans
and operations。 The stability of modern governments above
the ancient； and the accuracy of modern philosophy； have
improved； and probably will still improve； by similar
gradations。
Were there no advantage to be reaped from these
studies； beyond the gratification of an innocent curiosity；
yet ought not even this to be despised； as being one
accession to those few safe and harmless pleasures； which
are bestowed on the human race。 The sweetest and most
inoffensive path of life leads through the avenues of
science and learning； and whoever can either remove any
obstructions in this way； or open up any new prospect； ought
so far to be esteemed a benefactor to mankind。 And though
these researches may appear painful and fatiguing； it is
with some minds as with some bodies； which being endowed
with vigorous and florid health； require severe exercise；
and reap a pleasure from what； to the generality of mankind；
may seem burdensome and laborious。 Obscurity； indeed； is
painful to the mind as well as to the eye； but to bring
light from obscurity； by whatever labour； must needs be
delightful and rejoicing。
But this obscurity in the profound and abstract
philosophy； is objected to； not only as painful and
fatiguing； but as the inevitable source of uncertainty and
error。 Here indeed lies the justest and most plausible
objection against a considerable part of metaphysics； that
they are not properly a science； but arise either from the
fruitless efforts of human vanity； which would penetrate
into subjects utterly inaccessible to the understanding； or
from the craft of popular superstitions； which； being unable
to defend themselves on fair ground； raise these intangling
brambles to cover and protect their weakness。 Chased from
the open country； these robbers fly into the forest； and lie
in wait to break in upon every unguarded avenue of the mind；
and overwhelm it with religious fears and prejudices。 The
stoutest antagonist； if he remit his watch a moment； is
oppressed。 And many； through cowardice and folly； open the
gates to the enemies； and willingly receive them with
reverence and submission； as their legal sovereigns。
But is this a sufficient reason； why philosophers
should desist from such researches； and leave superstition
still in possession of her retreat？ Is it not proper to draw
an opposite conclusion； and perceive the necessity of
carrying the war into the most secret recesses of the enemy？
In vain do we hope； that men； from frequent disappointment；
will at last abandon such airy sciences； and discover the
proper province of human reason。 For； besides； that many
perso