8o OF 1 THE SYSTEM OF DE3 CARTES.

But though the course of nature was to beregular, it was not necessary that it ssould begoverned by those principles which arise fromthe various motions and modifications of inactivematter, or by mere mechanical laws only; sinceit would then have been incomparably inferiorto what it now is, both in beauty and perfection,and consequently far less worthy of its ineffableContriver :

-- — - . . Whose mighty hand,

Forever busy, wheels the silent spheres;

Works in the secret deep; Loots, streaming thenceThe fair profusion that o’erspreads the spring:

Flings from the fun direct the flaming day ;

Feeds every creature: hurls the tempest forth ;

And, as on earth this grateful change revolves,

With transport touches all the springs of life.

Thomsok,

LET-