Master; but in reflecting on the structure of our intellectual and moral frame, in analyzing the operations of the mind, in obtaining a knowledge of its powers and susceptibilities, and in rendering our inquiries subservient to the practical improvement of society.

“Truth," says D'Alembert,“ truth in metaphysics, resembles truth in matters of taste. In both cases, the seeds of it exist in every mind; though few think of attending to this latent treasure, till it is pointed out to them by more curious inquirers. It should seem that every thing we learn from a good metaphysical book, is only a sort of reminiscence of what the mind previously knew. The obscurity of which we are apt to complain in this science, may be always justly ascribed to the author; because the information which he professes to communicate requires no technical language appropriated to itself. Accord• ingly, we may apply to good metaphysical authors, what has been said of those who excel in the art of writing, that, in reading them, every body is apt to imagine that he could have written in the same manner." The same author points out, in the following sentence, the necessity of much reflection, in order to arrive at truth in this department of human knowledge. "In this sort of speculation, if all are qualified to understand, all are not fitted to teach. The merit of accommodating easily to the apprehensions of others, notions which are at once simple and just, appears, from its extreme rarity, to be much greater than is commonly imagined. Sound metaphysical principles are truths which every one is ready to seize, but which few men have the talent of unfolding; so diffi.

cult it is in this, as well as in other instances, to appropriate to one's self what seems to be the common inheritance of the human race."

It is an advantage peculiar to this science, that it renders every other tributary to it,—that it may be studied wherever there is a developement of the intellectual or moral faculties,-that the productions of the poet, the orator, and the mathematician indirectly contribute to its progress, and may often be employed in analyzing some of the most intricate and complex operations of the human mind; and that in reviewing the history of error as well as of truth, of speculation and of action, we have before us the phenomena on which many of our metaphysical reasonings are founded, and from which the deductions which we had previously made, receive additional confirmation. The library, which to the natural philosopher presents little that bears any relation to his pursuits, is full of instruction to him who makes man the subject of his study; and its varied volumes, as they are the record of human folly and of human wisdom, may furnish him with the means of extending his inquiries, and of enlarging the boundaries of moral science. Nor is the knowledge thus acquired so different in its practical utility from that of the man of the world, as some would persuade us to believe; it is equally susceptible of being applied to the purposes of life; and as it is the result of general, and not partial views of the intellectual and moral endowments of the species, it is surely far more likely to be conformable to truth, even when the individuals by whom it is possessed are destitute of those active habits which are only formed

in society. If they cannot, in every case, account for the varied aspects of the world, and trace to their legitimate causes the perplexing phenomena which continually claim their attention; they are, at least, amply furnished with the means of prosecuting their favourite inquiries, and of forming the most important maxims for the regulation of their own conduct, and for the general improvement of mankind.

Thus the powers of reflection and observation, by which alone the study of man can be successfully prosecuted, are united. "It is only by retiring within ourselves that we can obtain a key to the characters of others; and it is only by observing and comparing the characters of others, that we can thoroughly understand and appreciate our own*."

A science which affords such continued discoveries, must be accompanied with a large share of enjoyment. The same feelings of surprise and admiration which were awakened when the world of mind first displayed its wonders to the view, are kept alive, in some degree, through the progress of life, by the ever-varying aspects of the mental phenomena, and by the gradual developement of the hidden windings of the human heart.

The almighty and beneficent Creator who willed that the chief happiness of man should consist in the acquisition of knowledge and virtue, has given him, in the consideration of his own moral and intellectual frame, a subject of vast variety, and which furnishes materials not only for the exercise of his faculties, but for the laborious research of philosophers of succeeding generations. After digging deep

*Prof. D. Stewart. Diss. First.

into the mine, and enriching ourselves with its treasures, there will remain more than sufficient to excite and to reward the labours of those who are to follow us on the stage of being; and the same unconfined regions of truth and loveliness, in which the sages of the past have delighted to roam, and in which they acquired those high honours that have associated their names with the history of the species, will ever be the means of affording fresh discoveries and new enjoyment to the busy and inquiring mind of man. The Philosophy of the Human Mind, then, so far from being uninteresting, presents to the student, at every step of his progress, new and unexpected results; it renders every branch of knowledge subservient to the elucidation of its principles; it analyzes that which seems, at first view, scarcely susceptible of an accurate investigation; and the surprise which is felt when the elements and the laws of human thought are reduced to a system, and the apparently unconnected phenomena of the moral world traced to their origin, and subjected to established rules, cannot but form a stimulus to exertion, and a source of high satisfaction.

Another advantage attending the study of the Philosophy of the Human Mind is, that it gives us clearer and more enlarged views of moral obligation. This I conceive to be one of its leading designs; and as it is a design which so closely affects the highest interests of the human race, no one to whom Providence has granted the opportunity can exempt himself from the duty of giving the subject his most serious consideration. Revelation, indeed, has not left unnoticed

any point which essentially concerns the moral improvement and happiness of man; it has diffused its cheering and steady light over the darkness of nature, and has given to the doctrines of theological science a splendour of evidence all its own; but as this unspeakable gift of heaven has not been given to super. sede the use of reason, in cases where reason alone is sufficient, or, at least, where its exercise is of the highest utility, it may well be maintained that our knowledge of moral obligation becomes more definite and enlarged by an attentive study of the faculties of We must believe with Melancthon," that those precepts which learned men have committed to writing, transcribing them from the common reason and common feelings of human nature, are to be ac counted as not less divine than those contained in the tables given to Moses; and that it could not be the intention of our Maker to supersede, by a law graven upon stone, that which is written with his own finger on the table of the heart."

man.

Obvious as this truth may appear, it was neglected and denied during the dark ages, and the Reformer, whose opinion I have now quoted, was one of the first who contended for its authority and importance, in opposition to the doctrine that all moral distinctions are created by arbitrary appointment. This tenet was not only false, but was actually productive of the most pernicious consequences; since its influence gradually prepared the way for transferring the homage due to the eternal obligations of morality, to the unmeaning rites of superstition; and insensibly induced mankind to act in defiance of the plainest dictates of