"We have no less than three from the old countries in our village, here,
and yet I do not find them men like to have been sought for at the
building of Babel."
"This is settling a knotty and learned point by the evidence of a few
shallow exceptions. I presume to tell you, Ensign Dudley, that the
science, and wisdom, and philosophy of Europe, have been exceeding active
in this matter; and they proved to their own perfect satisfaction, which
is the same thing as disposing of the question without appeal, that man
and beast, plant and tree, hill and dale, lake and pond, sun, air, fire
and water, are all wanting in some of the perfectness of the older
regions. I respect a patriotic sentiment, and can carry the disposition to
applaud the bounties received from the hands of a beneficent Creator as
far as any man; but that which hath been demonstrated by science, or
collected by learning, is placed too far beyond the objections of
light-minded cavillers, to be doubted by graver faculties."
"I shall not contend against things that are proven," returned Dudley, who
was quite as meek in discussion as he was powerful and active in more
physical contests; "since it needs be that the learning of men in the old
countries must have an exceeding excellence, in virtue of its great age.
Pages:
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396