'This part, therefore,' having thus defined his position, he continues, 'because of the _excellency thereof_, I cannot but find it EXCEEDING STRANGE that it is not reduced _to written inquiry_; the rather because it consisteth of much matter, wherein _both speech and action is often conversant_, and such wherein the common talk of men, _which is rare_, but yet cometh sometimes to pass, is _wiser than their books_. It is reasonable, therefore, that we propound it with the more particularity, both for the worthiness, and _because we may acquit ourselves for reporting it deficient_' [with such 'iteration and fulness,' with all his _discrimination_, does he contrive to make _this_ point]; 'which seemeth _almost incredible_, and is otherwise conceived--[note it]--and is otherwise conceived and _presupposed_ by those themselves that have written.' [They do not see that they have missed it.] 'We will, therefore, enumerate some HEADS or POINTS _thereof, that it may appear the better what it is_, and __whether it be extant_.' A momentous question, truly, for the human race. That was a point, indeed, for this reporter to dare to make, and insist on and demonstrate. Doctrines of THE FRUIT of LIFE--doctrines of its perfection, exemplars of it; but no science--no science of the Culture or the Husbandry thereunto--though it is otherwise conceived and presupposed by those who have written! Yes, that is the position; and not taken in the general only, for he will proceed to propound it with more particularity--he will give us the HEADS of it--he will proceed to the articulation of that which is wanting--he will put down, before our eyes, the points and outlines of the new human science, the science of the husbandry thereto, both for the worthiness thereof, and that it may appear the better WHAT IT IS, and whether--WHETHER IT BE EXTANT. For who knows but it may be? Who knows, after all, but the points and outlines here, may prove but the track of that argument which the new Georgics will be able to hide in the play of their illustration, as Periander hid his? Who knows but the Naturalist in this field was then already on the ground, making his collections? Who knows but this new Virgil, who thought little of that resplendent and lustrous mass of matter, that old poets had taken for their glory, who seized the common life of men, and not the ideal life only, for his theme--who made the relief of the human estate, and not glory, his end, but knew that he might promise himself a fame which would make the old heroic poets' crowns grow dim,--who knows but that _he_--he himself--is extant, contemplating his theme, and composing its Index--claiming as yet its INDEX only? Truly, if the propounder of this argument can in any measure supply the _defects_ which he outlines, and opens here,--if he can point out to us any new and worthy collections in that science for which he claims to break the ground--if he can, in any measure, constitute it, he will deserve that