34 ON THE FIGURE AND MOTION, &C.

persecuting spirit of bigotry and enthusiasm isnow losing ground; and the dogmas of papalauthority, are as little regarded as the infallibilityof its decisions. Philosophers, of every coun-try, embrace the doctrine of Galileo, and are nolonger subject to the arbitrary controul of monksand inquisitors. That furious spirit of despo-tism and intolerance which has long held anusurped dominion over the powers of the mind,as well as those of the body, is at length givingway to a more refined Polity; and the friendsof mankind have reason to hope, that the timeis not far off, when the greater part of Europewill be suffered to enjoy, in quiet, that freedomof opinion, both in religion and the sciences,which is the birth-right privilege of everyhuman being.

• --- .. . LET-