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will at last abandon such airy sciences； and discover the
proper province of human reason。 For； besides； that many
persons find too sensible an interest in perpetually
recalling such topics； besides this； I say； the motive of
blind despair can never reasonably have place in the
sciences； since； however unsuccessful former attempts may
have proved； there is still room to hope； that the industry；
good fortune； or improved sagacity of succeeding generations
may reach discoveries unknown to former ages。 Each
adventurous genius will still leap at the arduous prize； and
find himself stimulated； rather than discouraged； by the
failures of his predecessors； while he hopes that the glory
of achieving so hard an adventure is reserved for him alone。
The only method of freeing learning； at once； from these
abstruse questions； is to enquire seriously into the nature
of human understanding； and show； from an exact analysis of
its powers and capacity； that it is by no means fitted for
such remote and abstruse subjects。 We must submit to this
fatigue in order to live at ease ever after： And must
cultivate true metaphysics with some care； in order to
destroy the false and adulterate。 Indolence； which； to some
persons； affords a safeguard against this deceitful
philosophy； is； with others； overbalanced by curiosity； and
despair； which； at some moments； prevails； may give place
afterwards to sanguine hopes and expectations。 Accurate and
just reasoning is the only catholic remedy； fitted for all
persons and all dispositions； and is alone able to subvert
that abstruse philosophy and metaphysical jargon； which
being mixed up with popular superstition； renders it in a
manner impenetrable to careless reasoners； and gives it the
air of science and wisdom。
Besides this advantage of rejecting； after deliberate
enquiry； the most uncertain and disagreeable part of
learning； there are many positive advantages； which result
from an accurate scrutiny into the powers and faculties of
human nature。 It is remarkable concerning the operations of
the mind； that； though most intimately present to us； yet；
whenever they become the object of reflexion； they seem
involved in obscurity； nor can the eye readily find those
lines and boundaries； which discriminate and distinguish
them。 The objects are too fine to remain long in the same
aspect or situation； and must be apprehended in an instant；
by a superior penetration； derived from nature； and improved
by habit and reflexion。 It becomes； therefore； no
inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different
operations of the mind； to separate them from each other； to
class them under their proper heads； and to correct all that
seeming disorder； in which they lie involved； when made the
object of reflexion and enquiry。 This talk of ordering and
distinguishing； which has no merit； when performed with
regard to external bodies； the objects of our senses； rises
in its value； when directed towards the operations of the
mind； in proportion to the difficulty and labour； which we
meet with in performing it。 And if we can go no farther than
this mental geography； or delineation of the distinct parts
and powers of the mind； it is at least a satisfaction to go
so far； and the more obvious this science may appear （and it
is by no means obvious） the more contemptible still must the
ignorance of it be esteemed； in all pretenders to learning
and philosophy。
Nor can there remain any suspicion； that this science
is uncertain and chimerical； unless we should entertain such
a scepticism as is entirely subversive of all speculation；
and even action。 It cannot be doubted； that the mind is
endowed with several powers and faculties； that these powers
are distinct from each other； that what is really distinct
to the immediate perception may be distinguished by
reflexion； and consequently； that there is a truth and
falsehood in all propositions on this subject； and a truth
and falsehood； which lie not beyond the compass of human
understanding。 There are many obvious distinctions of this
kind； such as those between the will and understanding； the
imagination and passions； which fall within the
comprehension of every human creature； and the finer and
more philosophical distinctions are no less real and
certain； though more difficult to be comprehended。 Some
instances； especially late ones； of success in these
enquiries； may give us a juster notion of the certainty and
solidity of this branch of learning。 And shall we esteem it
worthy the labour of a philosopher to give us a true system
of the planets； and adjust the position and order of those
remote bodies； while we affect to overlook those； who； with
so much success； delineate the parts of the mind； in which
we are so intimately concerned？＇3＇
But may we not hope； that philosophy； cultivated with
care； and encouraged by the attention of the public； may
carry its researches still farther； and discover； at least
in some degree； the secret springs and principles； by which
the human mind is actuated in its operations？ Astronomers
had long contented themselves with proving； from the
phaenomena； the true motions； order； and magnitude of the
heavenly bodies： Till a philosopher； at last； arose； who
seems； from the happiest reasoning； to have also determined
the laws and forces； by which the revolutions of the planets
are governed and directed。 The like has been performed with
regard to other parts of nature。 And there is no reason to
despair of equal success in our enquiries concerning the
mental powers and economy； if prosecuted with equal capacity
and caution。 It is probable； that one operation and
principle of the mind depends on another； which； again； may
be resolved into one more general and universal： And how far
these researches may possibly be carried； it will be
difficult for us； before； or even after； a careful trial；
exactly to determine。 This is certain； that attempts of this
kind are every day made even by those who philosophize the
most negligently： And nothing can be more requisite than to
enter upon the enterprize with thorough care and attention；
that； if it lie within the compass of human understanding；
it may at last be happily achieved； if not； it may； however；
be rejected with some confidence and security。 This last
conclusion； surely； is not desirable； nor ought it to be
embraced too rashly。 For how much must we diminish from the
beauty and value of this species of philosophy； upon such a
supposition？ Moralists have hitherto been accustomed； when
they considered the vast multitude and diversity of those
actions that excite our approbation or dislike； to search
for some common principle； on which this variety of
sentiments might depend。 And though they have sometimes
carried the matter too far； by their passion for some one
general principle； it must； however； be confessed； that they
are excusable in expecting to find some general principles；
into which all the vices and virtues were justly to be
resolved。 The like has been the endeavour of critics；
logicians； and even politicians： Nor have their attempts
been wholly unsuccessful； though p