And o’er the beast he lifts the pride of man;
Yet, still to matter, form and space confin’d,
Or moral truths or laws that rule mankind,
Could ne’er, unaided, pierce the mental gloom,
Explore new scenes beyond the closing tomb,
Reach with immortal hope the blest abode,
Or raise one thought of spirit or of God.”
Vision of Columbus, book VIII.
[10]. “An inordinate desire to explain and generalise, without facts and observations, led the ancient philosophers to the most absurd and extravagant notions; though, in a few cases, they have displayed the most wonderful ingenuity, and sagaciously anticipated the discoveries of modern times.”
New Edinb. Encyclop. tit. Astronomy.