Note 9 — INTRODUCTION.

“Reason, tho’ taught by sense to range on high,

To trace the stars and measure all the sky;

Tho’ fancy, memory, foresight fill her train,

And o’er the beast he lifts the pride of man;

Yet, still to matter, form and space confin’d,

Or moral truths or laws that rule mankind,

Could ne’er, unaided, pierce the mental gloom,

Explore new scenes beyond the closing tomb,

Reach with immortal hope the blest abode,

Or raise one thought of spirit or of God.”

Vision of Columbus, book VIII.