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The mere philosopher is a character, which is commonlybut little acceptable in the world, as being supposed tocontribute nothing either to the advantage or pleasureof society; while he lives remote from communicationwith mankind, and is wrapped up in principles andnotions equally remote from their comprehension. Onthe other hand, the mere ignorant is still more despised;nor is any thing deemed a surer sign of an illiberalgenius in an age and nation where the sciences flourish,than to be entirely destitute of all relish for those nobleentertainments. The most perfect character is supposedto lie between those extremes; retaining an equal abilityand taste for books, company, and business; preservingin conversation that discernment and delicacy whicharise from polite letters; and in business, that probityand accuracy which are the natural result of a justphilosophy. In order to diffuse and cultivate soaccomplished a character, nothing can be more usefulthan compositions of the easy style and manner, whichdraw not too much from life, require no deepapplication or retreat to be comprehended, and sendback the student among mankind full of noblesentiments and wise precepts, applicable to everyexigence of human life. By means of such compositions,virtue becomes amiable, science agreeable, companyinstructive, and retirement entertaining.Man is a reasonable being; and as such, receives fromscience his proper food and nourishment: But so narroware the bounds of human understanding, that littlesatisfaction can be hoped for in this particular, eitherfrom the extent of security or his acquisitions. Man is asociable, no less than a reasonable being: but neithercan he always enjoy company agreeable and amusing,or preserve the proper relish for them. Man is also anactive being; and from that disposition, as well as fromthe various necessities of human life, must submit tobusiness and occupation: but the mind requires somerelaxation, and cannot always support its bent to careand industry. It seems, then, that nature has pointed outa mixed kind of life as most suitable to the human race,and secretly admonished them to allow none of thesebiases to draw too much, so as to incapacitate them forother occupations and entertainments. Indulge yourpassion for science, says she, but let your science behuman, and such as may have a direct reference toaction and society. Abstruse thought and profoundresearches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by thepensive melancholy which they introduce, by theendless uncertainty in which they involve you, and bythe cold reception which your pretended discoveriesshall meet with, when communicated. Be a philosopher;but, amidst all your philosophy, be still a man.Were the generality of mankind contented to prefer theeasy philosophy to the abstract and profound, withoutthrowing any blame or contempt on the latter, it mightnot be improper, perhaps, to comply with this generalopinion, and allow every man to enjoy, withoutopposition, his own taste and sentiment. But as thematter is often carried farther, even to the absoluterejecting of all profound reasonings, or what iscommonly called metaphysics, we shall now proceed toconsider what can reasonably be pleaded in their behalf.We may begin with observing, that one considerableadvantage, which results from the accurate and abstractphilosophy, is, its subserviency to the easy and humane;which, without the former, can never attain a sufficientdegree of exactness in its sentiments, precepts, orreasonings. All polite letters are nothing but pictures of human life in various attitudes and situations; andinspire us with different sentiments, of praise or blame,admiration or ridicule, according to the qualities of theobject, which they set before us. An artist must bebetter 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 sentimentwhich discriminate vice and virtue. How painful soeverthis inward search or enquiry may appear, it becomes,in some measure, requisite to those, who woulddescribe with success the obvious and outwardappearances of life and manners. The anatomistpresents to the eye the most hideous and disagreeableobjects; but his science is useful to the painter indelineating even a Venus or an Helen. While the latteremploys all the richest colours of his art, and gives hisfigures the most graceful and engaging airs; he must stillcarry his attention to the inward structure of the humanbody, the position of the muscles, the fabric of thebones, 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 weexalt the one by depreciating the other.Besides, we may observe, in every art or profession,even those which most concern life or action, that aspirit of accuracy, however acquired, carries all of themnearer their perfection, and renders them moresubservient to the interests of society. And though aphilosopher may live remote from business, the genius
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