As a mash of the grateful regard and respect entertained b the author for his kind prend C. I Swanston. Cognze. this progment of in lachen. work is respectfully presented by MB Montaga THOUGHTS ON THE Conduct of the Understanding. BY BASIL MONTAGU. "We are out at sea, and have no star to guide our way." PREFACE. WHEN resident in the University, I read the following passage: "The life and faculties of man, at the best but short and limited, cannot be employed more rationally, or laudably, than in the search of knowledge; and especially of that sort which relates to our duty, and conduces to our happiness. In these inquiries, therefore, wherever I perceive any glimmering of truth before me, I readily pursue and endeavour to trace it to its source, without any reserve or caution of pushing the discovery too far. I look I look upon the discovery of any thing that is true as a valuable acquisition to society, which cannot possibly hurt or obstruct the good effect of any other truth whatsoever, for they all partake of one common essence, and necessarily coincide with each other; and like the drops of rain which fall separately into the river, mix themselves at once with the stream, and strengthen the general current." With the ardour of youth, ever supposing that it can realize what it imagines, I commenced a work upon the Preservation of Health, the Regu |