On Such
Subjects, It Is Certain, Human Ingenuity Has Been Fruitful Of
Extravagancies, And There Is Much Less Risk Of
Absurdity if we abide
by merely general inferences; but, on the other hand, it must be
admitted, that these are
Often specious pretexts for avoiding the
labours of enquiry, and have very rarely contributed any thing to the
stock of useful knowledge. Besides, they are often as fundamentally
theoretic, as those more specific notions which they are used to
supplant, though far less operative on the minds of those who maintain
them, except indeed, in so far as a conceited indolence is concerned,
of which, it is often difficult to say, whether they are the parent or
the offspring. But at best, your transcendental philosophers are very
like those general admirers of the fair sex, who are ready enough to
pay compliments which cost them just as little as they signify, but
who are too fond of themselves, to squander away on a single
individual, any portion of that affection which they think can be much
better bestowed elsewhere. Whereas, an attachment to some specific
theory, like the ardour of a real lover, excites to active services
and solicitous assiduity; and even when it does not obtain its object,
is deserving of gratitude at least, and rarely fails to be rewarded by
it. - E.
[3] The poor fellow, Mr G.F. informs us, paid a fortnight's
confinement in irons for his frolic, a greater price, perhaps, the
reader will think, than the matter deserved.
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