Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 4.djvu/268

264 In his metaphysical disquisitions, it was observed by the late learned Mr. Dyer, that he confounded the idea of space with that of empty space, and did not consider that though space might be without matter, yet matter being extended could not be without, space.

Few books have been perused by me with greater pleasure than his "Improvement of the Mind," of which the radical principle may indeed be found in Locke's "Conduct of the Understanding," but they are so expanded and ramified by Watts, as to confer upon him the merit of a work in the highest degree useful and pleasing. Whoever has the care of instructing others, may be charged with deficience in his duty if this book is not recommended.

I have mentioned his treatises of Theology as distinct from his other productions, but the truth is, that whatever he took in hand was, by his incessant solicitude for souls, converted to Theology. As piety, predominated in his mind, it is diffused over his works: under his direction it may be truly said, Theologiæ Philosophia ancillatur, philosophy is subservient to evangelical instruction; it is difficult to read a page. without learning, or at least Rh