Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ...Your bill of fare; but, for that matter, The world will not believe the latter. Well, leave the world in unbelief. Still, science, trifles, fancies light as air, I hold, should mingle in a bill of fare, Each giving each its due relief; As, where the gifts of Flora fall, On different flowers we see Alight the busy bee, Educing sweet from all. Thus much premised, don't think it strange, Or aught beyond my muse's range, If e'en my fables should infold, Among their nameless trumpery, The traits of a philosophy Far-famed as subtile, charming, bold. They call it new--the men of wit; Perhaps you have not heard of it. My verse will tell you what it means: --They say that beasts are mere machines; Madam de la Sabliere was one of the most learned women of the age in which she lived, and knew more of the philosophy of Descartes, in which she was a believer, than our poet; but she dreaded the reputation of a " Blue-stocking," and for this reason La Fontaine addresses her as if she might be ignorant of the Cartesian theory. That, in their doings, every thing Is done by virtue of a spring--No sense, nor soul, nor notion, But matter merely--set in motion;--Just such the watch in kind, Which joggeth on, to purpose blind. Now ope, and read within its breast--The place of soul is by its wheels possessed One moves a second, that a third, Till finally its sound is heard. And now the beast, our sages say, Is moved precisely in this way. An object strikes it in a certain place: The spot thus struck, without a moment's space, To neighboring parts the news conveys: Thus sense receives it through the chain, And takes impression.--How? Explain.--Not I. They say, by sheer necessity, From will as well as passion free, The animal is found the thrall Of movements which...
