The opinion of the world, as to the literary and philosophical character of Bishop Berkeley, has long since been
settled. In metaphysical speculation, in early youth his
ardour led him to embrace, and to form theories more
fanciful than just. Although he still retained his partiality for the study of Plato, yet towards the latter part
of his life, he is said to have doubted the solidity and
utility of his metaphysical studies, and turned his attention
towards those of politics and medicines, as being of more
practical advantage to mankind. Various learned men, and
in particular Bishop Hoadley, have censured his works as
corrupting the natural simplicity of Christianity, by
blending it with the subtlety and obscurity of metaphysics:
and Mr. Hume asserts, that "his writings are the best
lessons of scepticism which are to be found, either among
the ancient or modern philosophers-Bayle himself not
excepted;" and that "all his arguments against sceptics as
well as against atheists and freethinkers, though otherwise
intended, are in reality merely sceptical, appears from this,
that they admit of no answer, and produce no conviction."
This remark is not correct; and the utility of his "Minute
Philosopher," and several other works, is certainly very
great. That his knowledge extended to the minutest objects, and included the arts and business of common life,
is testified by Dr. Blackwell in his “ Court of Augustus."
The industry of his research, and the acuteness of bis ob-
servations, extended not only to the mechanic arts, but to
the various departments of trade, agriculture, and naviga-
tion; and that he possessed poetical talents in an eminent
degree, if he had thought proper to cultivate them,
appears from his animated letters, which are published in
the works of Mr. Pope, and also from several compositions
in verse, particularly some beautiful stanzas, written on the
prospect of realizing his benevolent scheme, relating to his
college in Bermuda. The classical romance, entitled
"The Adventures of Signor Gaudentio di Lucca," has been
Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/106
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BERKELEY.
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