DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0039
LECT. I.J HISTORY OF ART. 20
elevated above surrounding animals, or superior to
beasts that perish, were bodily endowments its whole
possession : but, when exerting the faculties of his
mind, when exercising his powers of reflection and
reason, Man appears to be " little lower than angels,
and crowned with glory and honour." Indeed,, so
very different is our opinion of Man according to the
contrary stations from which we view him, that we
are ready to exclaim, c What is this being whose
wonderful powers soar into remote systems', and ex-
plore the limits of creation ; or, when he descends to
investigate minute objects, inspects with accuracy
the very atoms of existence r Is this being, also, the
suffering subject of distress, of disease, of death V.
It is true the powers of the human mind are la-
tent, but they are not less real; they are too often
diverted to trifles, but they are not less equal to the
noblest studies: they too often abide-in obscurity
through indolence or inattention, but they are not
less capable of energy, and of activity, of wisdom,
which improves mankind, and of discoveries de-
serving universal applause. Vv hat a pity then is it,
that such sublime abilities should suffer by misma-
nagement, or be lost for want of use.
If then our superior and distinguishing properties
be those of the mind, certainly such studies as are
adapted to open and expand the mind, to culti-
vate the genius, and entertain the imagination, me-
rit our especial regard and protection. And this is
abundantly evident if we consider, that, beside the
mental faculties bestowed on our species generally,
Nature has given to each individual a proper and dis-
tinct
elevated above surrounding animals, or superior to
beasts that perish, were bodily endowments its whole
possession : but, when exerting the faculties of his
mind, when exercising his powers of reflection and
reason, Man appears to be " little lower than angels,
and crowned with glory and honour." Indeed,, so
very different is our opinion of Man according to the
contrary stations from which we view him, that we
are ready to exclaim, c What is this being whose
wonderful powers soar into remote systems', and ex-
plore the limits of creation ; or, when he descends to
investigate minute objects, inspects with accuracy
the very atoms of existence r Is this being, also, the
suffering subject of distress, of disease, of death V.
It is true the powers of the human mind are la-
tent, but they are not less real; they are too often
diverted to trifles, but they are not less equal to the
noblest studies: they too often abide-in obscurity
through indolence or inattention, but they are not
less capable of energy, and of activity, of wisdom,
which improves mankind, and of discoveries de-
serving universal applause. Vv hat a pity then is it,
that such sublime abilities should suffer by misma-
nagement, or be lost for want of use.
If then our superior and distinguishing properties
be those of the mind, certainly such studies as are
adapted to open and expand the mind, to culti-
vate the genius, and entertain the imagination, me-
rit our especial regard and protection. And this is
abundantly evident if we consider, that, beside the
mental faculties bestowed on our species generally,
Nature has given to each individual a proper and dis-
tinct