DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0127
lect. v.] proportions of the head. 101
when animals shall congregate, and exercise their
talents to polish their species, they shall become
equal, if not superior, to mankind. But, it seems,
the author who has lately maintained this opinion,
is not guided by relation of forms; on the contrary,
he has preferred, as more sagacious in some respects,
the beaver who is prone, to the monkey, the ape,
or even the oran-otan which is erect.
Having thus hinted at the general shape of the
head, let us now examine its parts, and these I shall
place in the following order:—(I.) The Eyes.
(II.) The Nose. (III.) The Mouth. (IV.) The
JLars. But as it would be a kind of degradation of
these noble organs only to repeat their proportions,
and so dismiss them, I shall solicit your attention
to a few previous thoughts.
Whoever reflects on the importance and neces-
sity of the senses in human life, cannot but be struck
with the provision made by an all-wise Author for
their exercise ; the organs by which we see, or
smell, or taste, or hear, are in their nature most
admirably adapted to their respective purposes; we
will consider, if you please, the eye a little closely.
Often have I wondered at that contrivance by
which we are enabled at once to comprehend, as
it were, the universe by a speck ; at that modifica-
tion of originally inert and lifeless matter, by which
are transmitted to the mind the images of external
objects. It consists of humours, which, unable to
resist injuries, or to defend themselves, are sur-
rounded by numerous guards; a slight accident,
which elsewhere might not deserve our notice, here
becomes
when animals shall congregate, and exercise their
talents to polish their species, they shall become
equal, if not superior, to mankind. But, it seems,
the author who has lately maintained this opinion,
is not guided by relation of forms; on the contrary,
he has preferred, as more sagacious in some respects,
the beaver who is prone, to the monkey, the ape,
or even the oran-otan which is erect.
Having thus hinted at the general shape of the
head, let us now examine its parts, and these I shall
place in the following order:—(I.) The Eyes.
(II.) The Nose. (III.) The Mouth. (IV.) The
JLars. But as it would be a kind of degradation of
these noble organs only to repeat their proportions,
and so dismiss them, I shall solicit your attention
to a few previous thoughts.
Whoever reflects on the importance and neces-
sity of the senses in human life, cannot but be struck
with the provision made by an all-wise Author for
their exercise ; the organs by which we see, or
smell, or taste, or hear, are in their nature most
admirably adapted to their respective purposes; we
will consider, if you please, the eye a little closely.
Often have I wondered at that contrivance by
which we are enabled at once to comprehend, as
it were, the universe by a speck ; at that modifica-
tion of originally inert and lifeless matter, by which
are transmitted to the mind the images of external
objects. It consists of humours, which, unable to
resist injuries, or to defend themselves, are sur-
rounded by numerous guards; a slight accident,
which elsewhere might not deserve our notice, here
becomes