Page:Hunterian oration, delivered in the theatre of the Royal College of Surgeons in London on February 14th 1829 (electronic resource) (IA b2148305x).pdf/19

Rh in its luminous proofs and firm conclusions. Every thing created is founded in truth, and therefore, may be the subject for science. And thus a vast field for scientific pursuits is presented to the mind, to prove its vigour and to try its compass.

The aptitude of the intellect to exercise its powers, is doubtlessly subject to inclinations. And thus the energies of its operations are thrown into some one department of knowledge, by which the mind, feeling the satisfaction of acquiring truths by the exercise of its own powers, becomes riveted to the subject on which its research is employed. But this affection of the mind to some one subject, is not enough to designate real Genius. There must also be that condition of the intellect, by which it is competent to the research, and to the discovery of truths; which is Invention. Mr. Hunter presents no common example of the man of Genius.