About Manuscripts Profiles Maps Map Gallery Credits

Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_333

with any useful observations, they will be highlyacceptable,—please to describe the observation, andthe instruments used. The mind that could pass from the inspirations ofthe Muse to such deep questions of philosophy, wasone of no ordinary range; and, by the very point ofthe questions, as well as from his own suggestions,we conceive a high idea of his powers, and feel dis-tressed to think, that so laborious and sagacious aman should have died so young; for much might have been expected from a scholar in the prime oflife, pursuing such a course. There are but few inthis country, who had, at the same time, leisure, in-clination, and talents, to make such philosophical examinations. The early education of Mr. Eddy was, as the factis given by himself, miscellaneous and scanty. Themost approved schools in his youthful days were veryindifferent, compared with those of modern times,and but little more than the first elements of educa-tion could be had in them. He was in a good mea-sure self-taught, and by observing a right course, hewas constantly at school, while in the course of hisbusiness, and gained a knowledge of the world as heproceeded in the duties of life. Such knowledge, ifnot at first entirely correct, has a self correcting prin-ciple in it, which is experience. His mind was so well disciplined, that every thinghe gained he kept; and in gathering up his treasuresof knowledge, he always calculated on ulterior views,which were not then, even to his own mind, fully developed. He was ambitious of attainment, butnever suffered his vanity to interfere with the meansof gaining knowledge, for he was at great pains in getting the opinion of the wise and good on everysubject; but he never followed the opinions of anyman, until he had studied the subject thoroughly,