once on disregard for the authority of men, and on reverence for the boundaries prescribed by nature to human inquiry; that he who thought so little of what man had done, hoped so highly of what he could do; that so daring an innovator in science should be so wholly exempt from the love of singularity or paradox; that the same man who renounced imaginary provinces in the empire of science, and withdrew its landmarks within the limits of experience, should also exhort posterity to push their conquests to its utmost verge, with a boldness which will be fully justified only by the discoveries of ages from which we are yet fa distant."

Newton possessed all the moral and physical qualifications requisite to the successful discovery of truth. To that humility which is characteristic of original genius, he united a boldness in speculation, and an intrepidity in the pursuit of his object, which rose from difficulty to difficulty, till they attempted and executed the measurement of the heavens. And it is to be recorded to the honour of this great man, that while the schools and the universities of Europe regarded him as an innovator, and branded his thoughts as wild and fanatical, he, as if regardless of the frown or applause of his cotemporaries, held on his godlike course, advancing from one discovery to another, till the tide of his fame bore down all opposition, and till the whole civilized world looked towards him as the first benefactor of the species.

Newton, and men of his high character and attainments, are the examples which we should propose to ourselves. Nor should we be deterred from copying

after such examples by the splendour of their acquirements, and the great distance at which we are placed from the elevated path in which they trode. There was a period when they also were subject to all the helplessness, and all the ignorance of infancy and childhood;-when they had to learn the first elements of human knowledge, when they had to surmount all the prejudices of sect and system, and of their own species, and rise over all the obstacles that opposed their progress to the possession, and to all the rational enjoyment of truth; and the result of their successful efforts affords their successors this ground of encouragement, that no difficulty can long stand in his way, who adds to his love of knowledge, patience in inquiry, and intrepidity in his perseverance. Sir William Jones remarks of himself, that he entered on his studies with this maxim deeply engraven on his mind, that whatever was attained by others was attainable by him, and that he found this conviction of great utility in keeping alive that ardour for learning which enabled him to accomplish all that he had ever begun. If another man was capable of acquiring this branch of knowledge, why, said he to himself, why may not I? This eminent individual had, no doubt, from nature, and from a favourable combination of circumstances, every advantage that could contribute to his rising above the standard of ordinary men; but without the continual influence on his active mind of the principle to which I have referred, he probably, notwithstanding his physical and moral strength, would have been known to posterity only as a respectable judge, and

not as the scholar of the greatest and most general acquirements of modern times.

The first moral qualification which I shall mention as useful in all our researches, more particularly in connexion with moral science, is a just estimate of our own attainments and capabilities. It is right, on the one hand, that we appreciate the high value and noble ends of the faculties which God has given us, that we may be excited to an assiduous improvement of them in a manner suitable to their worth, and to their proper objects: but, on the other hand, we should reflect, that while our mental capacity fits us for an indefinite progress, the measure of knowledge of which we are now in possession, or, indeed, can be in possession, while in this imperfect state, is extremely limited; and that the actual acquirements of the most accomplished philosopher, though great when contrasted with the ignorance of the multitude, are trivial when compared with those of higher intelligences, and even with those which he himself will make during that long and bright career of improvement that is yet before him. It is impossible thus to reflect without feeling, perhaps painfully, how little we really know, and how much we have yet to learn; or, without imbibing a portion of that humble and unassuming spirit which animated the illustrious men who have been honoured in handing the lights of science from their own to future ages.

The humility of true genius is proverbial; and perhaps one reason why persons thus gifted succeed in showing their great superiority to others is owing to their great humility. Sir Isaac Newton used to

say of himself,-such was the modesty that adorned his elevated character,-that if his labours had in any degree benefited mankind, it was owing, not to any extraordinary endowments, but to patience and perseverance in his studies. And I know not a greater obstacle to success in our philosophical inquiries than a spirit of arrogance and presumption. When a young man fancies himself wiser than his teachers, or, when his desire of knowledge proceeds from vanity, and not from the love of truth, he may indeed acquire those superficial notions of things which will enable him to make a figure among those who are as frivolous and superficial as himself, but he can never reach great excellency, nor rise above the unsteady and borrowed light of others. He has not only imposed on himself, but unhappily the delusion is of such a nature, as to give it a permanent influence over his thoughts; and, in place of extending his views to all the grandeur and majesty of truth, his mind is darkened and narrowed by the pride and the superficiality of his reasonings. If men think justly or otherwise, in proportion as they think profoundly,— and of the truth of this remark those only will doubt who are ignorant of the progress of knowledge,-then the greatest barrier that can come between us and true, wisdom, is the conceit that we are already wise*. "My son," says the wise man, "let not truth forsake thee: bind it about thy neck; write it on the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine

* Multi ad scientiam pervenissent si se illuc pervenisse non putassent.

own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in

thine own eyes." dignity of thinking beings; and all our knowledge will be an instrument of greater usefulness, and a source of the greater happiness, that it is the possession of a mind which is lowly in its own estimation, and which has been purified from the evil influences of error.

Thus we shall advance in the

I am aware that one chief cause of the dogmatical spirit of young persons is owing to the good opinion which they wish others to entertain of their understanding. It is certain, however singular it may seem, that men in general would rather have an imputation directed against their moral feelings and conduct, than against their intellectual character. This is particularly the case with the young;-they often affirm through ignorance that which they afterwards maintain from a false opinion of the excellency of their judgment. It were well if this precipitancy always terminated in speculation. It too frequently happens, however, that from mistaken notions of themselves and of what is due to their opinions, they are hurried along to such imprudences of conduct as affect the whole of their future respectability and happiness; and it is not till the calm hour of sober reflection return, that they can observe with unavailing regret the false steps they have taken. The voice of friendship had long warned them of their danger; they had themselves half suspected they were wrong; but that proud and unbending loftiness of spirit which cometh before a fall, urged them onwards in the course which