ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the aesthetic and socio-political dimensions of Thomas Dick's writings. By employing aesthetic representations of nature, Dick attempted to invigorate proper moral and religious sentiment among all orders of society. It argues that Dick did not primarily seek to control the behaviour of the working classes. Rather, he sought to reform the behaviour of all orders of society in preparation for the millennium. The chapter discusses the specific social reforms that Dick advocated, comparing them to the social agendas of other middle-class reformers, particularly that of the phrenologist, deist, and anti-evangelical George Combe. Consistent with Dick's previous expression of praise to Combe in 1828, however, this unsigned review concluded on a positive note. The reviewer suggested that Combe's book 'contains much truth, much sound philosophy, and much practical religion: it will be of extensive usefulness'. This praise makes perfect sense in that Combe, like Dick, advocated educational reform based on natural knowledge read in a particular way.
