The Litchfield County post., 1826-11-14
FOR TuE couxrT Posr.
ON THE MORAL USES OF NATURAL.
HaSTnnY

the word % nature, and as SteFne observes q
the sentimental traveller, "GO from Dan {,
Beersheba, and cry, It is all barren, Il is al
barren" :. Gun bono fnerit," where is tn,
good, with Cassius Of old they win exclan
and because no additions may be made tC
their petty comforts, or petty interests, they
reject, with a sheer, the assertion of amuse.
ment and instruction which the votaries Of
Natural History, declare it affords. There
are many superficial readers of the book Of
| nature who imagine that this beautiful world
was only spread before them for their amuse-
ment, and who enter upon the study of this
science with no favourable sentiments of its
ordinary use, and no halIowed feelings of the
high moral lessons it conveys. There are
others again, the most devoted followers OF
this study, who range through the depths OF
nature, explore the widest scenes, tread her
forests for the plants, ransack her mines for
fossel.an explore her recesses for the animal,
even with whose exploits fame has swelled
her londest notes, the gratitude Of their coun-
try marked as her benefactors, and science
stopped from her shrine to welcome to her
temple, who yet feel only that feebler impulse
which learning and reputation alone can give,
and have shut their eyes 10 the light which
nature irradiates from every point, to direct
the worshippers up to natures God" But
is it SO ? Are scientific Instructions, and natu-
RAJ amtlsemcnts alone to be found in this plea
sing study !! we rejoice I" answer, no, and we
rejoice that an opportunity like the present
occurs, in which we can detail the moral les
sons, derived from the study of Natural His
tory.
list. The first advantage we will mention,
though not strictly moral lesson, has such
moral effect, that it will deserve high place
on the catalogue of the uses of that science.
1t is the rational and moral amusement it af-
fords-an amusement which no repetition can
satiate, for the world is full of objects; which
no energy of pursuit can deaden, for its con-
slant novelty inspires to action which no re-
Election can embitter, for it, is not pursued at
the expense of health, at the risk ofreputation,
or at the hazard Oft formation of viscious
habits. Is exercise for the decaying body re-
CURED This science affords it. Is discipline
for the mind desired No system Of inductive
reasoning was ever better framed to chain the
mind to the accurate examination Of particu-
lars. Is the soul sickened by the fevery con-
tact of cities and the still more fevery vices
there ? the country is open to him with all
its charms, and the map Of nature will ferev-
er please. The amusements which this sci
ence affords are not like those which the
world call innocent, and which though they
may relax, can never improve the faculties.
This, while it unhends the mind, preserves it
in its vigour, and though it directs the streams
Of the intellect into new channels, they still
flow on unchecked, with no fear OF the de-
struction of the ordinary courses, and no dan
ger from the stagnancy of relaxation.
end. In the second place we would men
ton the exalted ideas it produces of the char
acter Of the Deity. Men are too apt to sup
pose that power, and wisdom, and benevo-
lence, of God, can be best learnt from the
stupendous works of creation. Their hearts
will glow with admiration, or throb with won
lering awe,when they contemplate Omnipo-
tence rolling the numerous worlds through
sSace, and with all their complicated motions
preserving their harmony, and with all their
mutual attractions their proper stations; or
when they see him withsa word call these
worlds from nothing, and from the darkness
of chaos, light at his bidding, leap DER the
fair creation, but feel no such thrilling sublim-
ity, at tho insect they crush beneath their feet,
or the flowers they pluck only to inhale its
fragrance, and then toss it to oblivion. How
sublime, how beyond conception eleyating
the ideas of Jehovah, which a knowledge OF
Natural History exhibits, governing the uni
verse of worlds, in all its grandeur and inini-
tude, and yet extending his ken to the minu-
tiae Of microscopic existence. and as perfect
in these smallest details as in the greatest
To him, who walks through the world with
his eyes open to the secrets Of nature, the
character of God win be exhibited at every
step, and he will never be at Q loss for refiec
Aok Gyy,osm loHer