.MTIwNg.OTMxNjQ

98 Our conversation wandered to the Sciences generally. To the practical tendency of them. The Physical Sciences - having facts for their bases - affored ample field for discovery to an inquiring mind. They tend also to improving the comfort and happiness of mimkmer. I adverted to Metaphysics and its Philosophies. Said he, "I took in my youth the Philosophies. I embraced them thoroughly. I was walking in a valley - when all was simple - substantial and straightforward - they led me up the mountain. I seemed in a new world - light blazed from every quarter. I studied deeper - fathomed mysteries - unravelled subtelties - until waking at length as from a trance. I found myself the more I ascended the mountain - the more involved in subtelties - mysteries and doubts - intricacies and questions - like Indian Knots - unravellable. I lost tract of fact - nuture - truth - was treading incomprehensible ground. I returned to the valley - satisfied with the uncertain regions of Philosoply. I am happy again - being content with knowledge gained from obseration of facts. Knowledge is divided into the district of facts and the district of faith. In the one men may walk and disseminate the treasures they gather - in the other - Divine Revelation and God alone are the rightful occupants. Let Philosophy not dispute with God this district. But Philosophy has a practical bearing in as far as it conduces to improvement of the ways of Education.