ABSTRACT
As in this country the investigations of metaphysicians have been directed chiefly towards the laws of intellect and association, and as we have nothing which deserves the name of philosophy founded upon an examination of what human nature internally says of itself, or upon enquiries into the dependance of one feeling upon another; in short, as we have neither any Platonism, nor even any philosophy of the passions, we must turn to the poets, if we wish to hear what our literature says upon these subjects; for, by our speculative men, they have been left in utter silence, darkness, and uncertainty. If the practical turn of mind, which has always been characteristic of our nation, has led to these neglects, there is nothing more to be said; for the works of intellectual men should be moulded according to the character of those who are to read them: and nothing can obtain much influence over life, if it finds not a broad foundation in the popular mind. Nevertheless, if philosophers profess to examine what human nature is, in the abstract, the peculiarities of their auditors will not serve as an excuse for slurring over particular branches of the subject, as if they had no existence. . . .
