Part 1 (2/2)

You will also find, if you continue your application to study, that it is only the elements of science that you can acquire here, and that if you live many years, they will bear but a small proportion to your future acquirements But those future acquire a less proportion to your whole stock of knowledge, will not be so conspicuous Thus, though all the buildings that in one year are added to such a city as London would e country town, they bear so small a proportion to as built before, that they are notbeen erected in a place where no house had existed before, it would have been a memorable event in the history of the country

Also, as in old cities s will fall to decay, while new ones are added; you ive equal attention to every object; and as we advance in life, we, in general, only learn new things at the expence of the old ones

But then they are the eneral and leading principles, which res to which we give less attention because we find the for ingenious students to despise old scholars who are not so ready in the _otten more than those youths ever knew, andas much

Another observation proper to lessen the conceit of literary enius is not confined to _theh not equally conspicuous, in every other line of life, and especially in manufactures and the arts Here, however, discoveries equal, with respect to _sagacity_, to those of Newton, contribute little to posthumous fareatest branch of intellectual excellence with respect to which every other is nothing, and which, from its nature, can never be foundation of any self-conceit, is _virtue_, or right dispositions of ht conduct in life Proper sentiments, and just affections of s, past, present, and to coht, or action, be estimated by the number of elements that constitute it, and its remoteness from the dictates of sense and natural appetite, a virtuous and pious nified character, more proper to be vieith ad, in fact, greater comprehension and force of mind I mean, however, that virtue which is the result of reflection, of discipline, andwith equal promptness and facility, is as much superior to ood nature_, as motions secondarily automative are to those that are primarily so; a comparison which you who have studied _Hartley's Theory of the Mind_ will see the force of

These considerations I take the liberty to suggest, as being proper to lessen that vanity which is so incident to those who distinguish the like the acquisition of riches, or power, or any possession that is _rare_ a,its attention to itself Beginning with a generous emulation, it proceeds to envy and jealousy, and ends in actual hatred and ly put upon your guard; this being the greatest depravity to which human nature is subject, and which yet, like any other vice, may be in full possession of theit; unless he give s than ht himself to be avaricious, or cruel, can it be expected that any person should ever discover that he is too self-conceited?

Better, however, infinitely better, were it to rank with the nity (produced originally frouished theuists, critics, and poets Even the study of nature, though, from its vast extent, it is less apt to produce this baneful effect, is not always a sufficient guard against it This is an affecting and an alar consideration But in the intellectual, as in the civil and co but at the risk of soain is worth the risk of even this great loss

For when literary, and scientific excellence coincide with that which is of a moral nature, it adds unspeakably to the value of a character

Ingenuity coupled with enius with benevolence and true piety, constitute the perfection of human character, and is e should ever have in view And a course of education in which both these objects are equally attended to, is the only one that deserves to be called _liberal_: but such as, I hope, you have found this to be

Give me leave further to observe to you, that the time that you spend in a place of liberal education is of more importance to you than you can be at present aware of Whatever be the sphere of life for which you are destined, the probability is, that you will hereafter have but little leisure for reading and studying, coeneral maxims of all kinds, such as are the foundation of all our future conduct, in enerally forreat change in your opinions, or conduct; because now it is that you give particular attention to the for your opinions on all subjects of importance; so that very little that is materially new to you can be expected to occur to you in future life, and al that you would choose to read will only tend to confireneral principles that you will now adopt There are, no doubt, exceptions to this, as well as every other general observation; but it is wisdom to suppose, and to act upon the supposition, that we are constituted as the generality of mankind are, and that we shall feel, and act, as they do Since, then, soprinciples and maxims which you will now adopt, be it your care to forood ones, and let no authority of tutors, or others, have any undue influence over you In all cases think and judge for yourselves, and especially on all subjects of iive to thes, to say so another subject, which now commands universal attention You cannot but be apprised, that e, on account of the republican, and, as they choose to call theovernht here Show, then, by your general conversation, and conduct, that you are the friends of peace and good order; and that, whatever overnment for people who have no previous prejudices or habits, you will do every thing in your power for the preservation of that forenerality of your countrymen approve, and under which you live, which is all that can be reasonably expected of any subject As it is not necessary that every good son should think his parent the wisest and best ht sufficient if the son pay due respect and obedience to his parent; so neither is it to be expected that every overnment under which he happens to be born is the best of all possible forh that he sub about any change, except by fair reasoning, and endeavouring to convince his countrymen, that it is in their power to better their condition in that respect, as well as in any other Think, therefore, speak, and write, with the greatest freedoeneral, as well as on any other that may come before you It can only be avowed tyranny that would prevent this But at the same time submit yourselves, and proovernment which you find to be most approved, in this country, which at present unquestionably is that by _King, Lords, and Coion_, we may, surely, be allowed to think and act entirely for ourselves; in all cases obeying God and conscience rather than ree of liberty that we are allowed, though it be not all that we are justly entitled to; and let us not use any other ument in order to better our condition By this peaceable and steady conduct we shall at length convince those ill hear reason, that we are entitled to greater consideration; and doubt not but whatever is _true_ and _right_, will finally prevail, and be universally established

That any of your tutors, or any of the friends of this institution, wish to promote reformation, in church or state, by any other ument, is a _calumny_, utterly void of foundation, or probability But your conduct, dispersed as you will soon be in different parts of the country, will be the bestby _riot_ and _tus are congenial Truth stands in no need of such support, and will always triumph when assailed by such weapons In return, then, for the advantages which you have enjoyed in this institution, do it this service; and in reco substantial service to the cause of liberty and truth; and conferring a most important benefit on your country, and on mankind

CONTENTS

LECTURE I

_The Introduction_ 1

LECTURE II

_Of the Properties of all Matter_ 9 _Of Aeriform Substances_ 13

LECTURE III

_Of Atisticated Air_ 18 _Of Phlogisticated Air_ 20

LECTURE V

_Of Inflammable Air_ 21

LECTURE VI