Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/156

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154
DUTY AND INCLINATION.

heads have determined, to that only will I accede! Thus, under a plausible and specious humility, circumscribing the bounds of human reason, neglecting its powers, and leaving it wholly devoid of that sustentation which would lead to its expansion and culture."

"Chaining itself to a system," returned the Doctor, "and limiting its researches, instead of enlarging the sphere of its contemplations, and of ranging into the boundless regions of that eternity for which we are preparing, and to which this world is but as a nursery."

When not thus employed, during moments of leisure, with renewed ardour Philimore hastened to visit those so valued at The Bower; and often while proceeding thither, various reflections took possession of him—at one time in self-reproaches, for having thoughtlessly allowed himself to become the victim of a passion now too violent to suppress; but though unfortunate and disastrous, as he feared it might prove to him, yet he felt himself ennobled by it! It was the adversity of his circumstances only which he deplored, and the restraints it rendered necessary for him to throw upon his conduct.

From various pecuniary losses, his family had become so completely reduced as to be under the