Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/106

Rh 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