Essays on hypochrondriacal and other nervous affections / by J. Reid.

  • Reid, John, 1776-1822.
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essays on hypochrondriacal and other nervous affections / by J. Reid. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    271/280 (page 265)
    of mankind. Their dignity would be impaired in their own eyes by a partici- pation in ordinary pastimes. But when the mind is left vacant of graver concerns, it is of the highest moment, that it should be capable of engaging itself in trifles. Philosophically considered, al- most all the subjects of human occu- pation are trifling, when compared with the incalculable importance of occupa- tion itself. An intellect of the most perfect organization possesses that com- pass of contractility, which enables it to take up the most minute, as well as to grasp the largest object within its reach, and for the time to be equally filled with either. Sir Isaac Newton, with no less justice, perhaps, than modesty, ascribed the su- periority which he appeared to possess over other students of philosophy, merely to his greater patience or more continued