It is, in both cases, that a spiritual life has been imparted to nature; that the solid seeming block of matter has been pervadedand dissolved by a thought; that this feeble human being has penetrated the vast masses of nature with an informing soul, and recognised itself in their harmony, that is, seized their law. In physics, when this is attained, the memory disburthens itself of its cumbrous catalogues of particulars, and carries centuries of observation in a single formula.

Nature is the symbol of Spirit.

Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.

Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.

Religious literature has eminent examples, and if we run over our private list of poets, critics, philanthropists and philosophers, we shall find them infected with this dropsy and elephantiasis, which we ought to have tapped.

By the irresistible maturing of the general mind, the Christian traditions have lost their hold.

In failing circumstances no one can be relied on to keep their integrity.