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
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