without that organ, as a physiological absurdity. It becomes a philosopher, however, to bear in mind, as we hinted at the outset, that the laws of reasoning are common to all the departments of science, those departments being only artificial arrangements of the subjects of our knowledge. We find it convenient to arrange the facts with which experience, reasoning, or testimony makes us acquainted, first, under the twofold grand divisionphysics and ethics, to subdivide the former class into physiology, chemistry, mechanics, &c., and to break these down again into various subordinate heads of study or inquiry. But still, these distinctions are mere terms of arrangement. This mode of classification is rendered necessary by the limitation of our faculties and the imperfection of our knowledge. To suppose, therefore, that one subdivision can present truths at variance with those which class under another subdivision, is highly irrational; and it is equally so, to imagine that we have nothing to do, in pursuing one branch of inquiry, with what is certainly true occurring under another branch. It never can be wise, to reject truth because it is not that kind of truth we are in search of, or to reject, in that search, any aid, or any species of evidence, because it is not that mode of proof which we have assumed to be proper to our immediate subject.

Admitting, then, the propriety of the distinction between the subjects of physiological science and those which are generally considered as belonging to theology, we must still maintain, that the physiologist cannot be at liberty to set aside any theological doctrine that bears upon his reasonings, till he has proved that doctrine to be false. The presumption in favour of its truth, is at least strong enough to render a disbelief previous to examination, irrational. A man ought to have good ground for his doubt as well as for his belief. His doubt may proceed from his ignorance; and in that case it can only mislead his inquiries. A man who doubts what others believe, especially what the wisest of men have believed, and have believed age after age, if he has not superior knowledge to rest those doubts upon it, acts a part as unphilosophical as it may be perilous. And if he should discover a solicitude under such circumstances, to propagate his negative belief, to disseminate. those unreasonable doubts, should he even betray warmth and intolerance in the assertion of them, and pride himself on having, by his contempt of evidence, fortified himself in a cheerless uncertainty, we must seek for an explanation of his conduct, not in any rational principle, but in a malignant perversity of intellect. It has been well remarked, and Mr. Lawrence only adds another instance to the numberless illustrations of the fact, that

no man ever set up to be a cool doubter, but with the view of being a warm zealot.'

We have digressed from the theological consideration to which we wish to advert as, in our view, of sufficient force in itself to overturn the whole baseless hypothesis of Materialism. It is this. There is at least one mode of thought without a brain; a mode, we admit, infinitely transcending our conception, and to which the intellectual functions of human beings may be thought to furnish a very faint analogy,-the mode of the Divine Existence. We are not insisting, however, upon any resemblance between the acts of an infinite and the operations of a finite mind. But we cannot conceive of the Deity otherwise than as possessing in an infinite degree, and under modes partaking of the inscrutable nature of his existence, thought, power, volition, the attributes of mind, and as being strictly and perfectly immaterial. There is, then, as existing in the Divine mind, thought without organization; or to speak in a manner more becoming the subject, there is such a thing as mind, because there is God. And the existence of mind being thus ascertained, together with its total separation from matter in at least that one perfect and infinite mode of existence, it is impossible to prove that a finite mind may not exist independent of matter. Nay, more; a very strong presumption is thus afforded, that the thing is possible. Its being conceivable, shews that no contradiction, consequently no absurdity, is involved in the supposition. Our ignorance as to the mode in which it could so subsist, is no valid objection, since we are equally ignorant how the Divine mind subsists; and the objection would equally apply to the very existence of God. To atheism, indeed, materialism will always be found tending; as from something very closely allied to atheism it proceeds. In the case of Mr. Pring, (although his notion of an organic spirit is more rational than that of a self-moving organization,) materialism appears in its genuine character. "And even as they "did not like to retain God in their knowledge," says St. Paul in accounting for the crimes of the Pagan philosophers. We may assign the same cause for the follies of our own infidels: they want to get rid of the idea of God, But true philosophy embraces as the object of its search and its affection, all truth: it will avail itself of every mode of proof; it will welcome every species of evidence. In this respect, the sciolists and sophists of the French school, whom Mr. Lawrence worships, shew themselves to be any thing but true philosophers. But "we "know," on evidence their puny efforts can never obscure, much less invalidate, "that if our earthly residence of this tent

"were dissolved, we have in the heavens, a building of God, "not made with hands, eternal; and therefore are we always confident. Knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, we are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the "Lord."

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Art. II. Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa. By William J: Burchell, Esq. Vol. I. 4to. pp. 582. Price £4. 14s. 6d. London.

1822.

THE

HE details of Mr. Burchell's travels have been looked for with considerable interest. It was known that he had employed several years in active researches; that he had applied himself diligently to the elucidation of the geography, the natural history, and the national distinctions of the Southern regions of Africa; and that he had succeeded in obtaining an immense collection of specimens in the various departments of animal and vegetable production. In prosecuting his investigations, he travelled over ground previously unexplored, which has enabled him to supply much valuable information, and to clear up some of the doubts and difficulties which have hitherto been connected with our knowledge of those tracts. Under these circumstances, we cannot but regret that he has adopted a mode of publication calculated in many respects to repel curiosity, and to detract from the interest which a vigorous compression of his materials into one volume might have excited. Klaarwater and the country in the vicinity of the different branches of the Gariep, limited the excursions described in this first volume: the more novel and gratifying researches into the further regions, have been altogether postponed until the appearance of the second. The travels of Latrobe, Lichstenstein, Barrow, Campbell, and others, with the papers of the Missionary Transactions, have long made us familiar with the scenery and the native tribes which are described in this portion of the work; and Mr. Burchell's diligent investigations of natural history require something more in the way of graphic illustration, to make them universally acceptable.

It was on the 26th of November, 1810, that Mr. B. landed at Cape Town, after having been in considerable danger from the stormy weather so common in that quarter, and which gave to the Southern extremity of Africa its original name. Here he met with a cordial reception from Mr. Hesse, the Lutheran minister, at whose house he took up his residence, and who forwarded in every way his projects of scientific research.

4

Botanizing rambles in the neighbourhood of the Cape, with excursions to Zwarteburg, Genadenthal, Stellenbosch, and Tulbagh, occupied the time pleasantly and usefully until June 19, 1811, when, after having experienced great difficulty in procuring a sufficient number of natives to attend him, he set out for the interior. Previously to his departure, considerable anxiety had been excited by several shocks of earthquake. The first, indeed, seems to have originated, not in the earth, but in the atmosphere: loud explosions, resembling the burst of thunder, shook the buildings to their foundations, and drove the terrified inhabitants into the open air. The sky was cloudless and calm, but a misty vapour, like that which frequently accompanies damp and sultry weather, hung on the surrounding objects. The second occurrence of this alarming phenomenon, was altogether different in its character. There was no loud and sudden report, but the earth vibrated, while a hollow tremulous sound, somewhat resembling a smothered howling,' seemed to pass along the ground from North to South.

Mr. Burchell had for a fellow-traveller, Mr. Anderson the missionary, who, with his wife, was returning to Klaarwater, from which station he had been absent two years. The preparations made by Mr. B. were on a scale from which we should have been disposed to anticipate much inconvenience. His arrangements, however, seem to have been so judiciously made, as to obviate this in a great degree; and his waggon, with its well contrived adjustment of chests, bedding, canvas partition, and vacant space, answered in all respects as a commodious travelling habitation. He carried with him a library of more than fifty volumes, but he does not seem to have relied sufficiently on the pencil for obviating the necessity of finding room for sundry articles of bulk, such as deal packing-cases,' and 'reams of paper,' We admit that it is more satisfactory to have brought home the actual subjects than mere drawings, especially as we have some doubts of Mr. Burchell's skill as an artist; but, in the first instance, it would have been wiser to provide as light an equipment as possible, relying on colour and camel's hair, than to start with a vehicle greatly overloaded,' and to incur the risk of failure in the conveyance of specimens, collected with difficulty, and prepared with infinite trouble. In fact, notwithstanding the judgement with which he had arranged his furniture, the waggon was found of such heavy draught, as to induce him to provide an additional conveyance of the same kind at a very early stage of his journey. The road to Tulbagh was passed over without other difficulties than those occasioned by the usual casualties of travelling, aggravated by the weight of the luggage, which pressed the wheels so

deeply into a soft and sandy part of the soil, as to cause the breaking of the pole through the awkwardness of the Hot

tentots.

The diary of Mr. Burchell's progress from one station to another, is marked by little interest or variety. Mr. B. has not the art of imparting vivacity to mere routine movements by a spirited style of narration, nor of stimulating curiosity by original speculations or profound reflections. Of his attempts at the latter, the following is a very unfortunate specimen.

After supper, the night being calm, and the sky serene, all the Hottentots were called together for prayers. They assembled around our fire, seating themselves orderly on the ground, and, with well-tuned voices, joined in an evening hymn, in which the missionaries and their wives took the lead. After this, a long extemporaneous prayer was said by one of the missionaries; and, as soon as this was finished, they retired to sleep round their respective fires. To me, an assemblage of this kind, in the open air, and under such circumstances as the present, was a scene both novel and interesting; to which, the dark hour of night, and the wild loneliness of the spot, gave an effect that was legendary and romantic; and I could easily have thought it a caravan of pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. But the pleasing spell of fancy was dissipated, and all my warm emotions cooled, when reason reminded me that it was only a party of people, who, with perhaps a few exceptions, had learnt to sing psalms by rote, and whose motives for admitting missionaries to dwell with them, might probably not proceed from a sentiment purely religious.

I cannot imagine any thing more delightful and gratifying to a good and feeling mind, than the act of returning thanks with devout gratitude to the great and good Creator of the universe, for the numerous blessings we are daily permitted to enjoy ; and of imploring the aid of his Divine Spirit, in strengthening our hearts in the love and pursuit of virtue. Could but the rude uncultivated savage be converted to sentiments such as these, with what satisfaction would not every philanthropic man view crowds of missionaries pouring over all the uncivilized countries of the globe. But, alas! human nature does not admit of so much perfection, and this scheme, so fascinating to the enthusiast, may, so far as its professed object is concerned, prove at last to have been only an Utopian vision. Yet our benevolence towards our fellow men, while it is within reasonable limits, has no irremoveable cause for despairing of being able, by judicious means, to convey the blessings of civilized life to nations now lost in the darkness of ignorance; nor ought the failure of those who reject the aid of reason and common sense, to operate in deterring us from the attempt.' pp. 224, 5.

We dare not flatter ourselves that we thoroughly understand this fine specimen of oracular profundity. It seems a little unreasonable that Mr. Burchell should be out of humour with a handful of poor Hottentots engaged in their evening devotions, because it was not a caravan of pilgrims travelling to