Page:The Harveian oration, 1875 (IA b22314611).pdf/47

observing tilings. For as there is nothing in the understanding which was not first in the sense (the well known dictum of Aristotle), or, as Harvey puts it, “no certain and definite idea which has not derived its origin from the senses” it is to the senses we must have recourse; first inquiring whether a “ thing be or not, before asking wherefore it is” bringing all assertions “to the proof of sense” and admitting or rejecting them according to its decisions. This is the tribunal to which Harvey refers all that he has said respecting the circulation—to the “senses" not to the “reason," to “ ocular inspection," not to any “process of the mind” for “the facts cognizable by the senses wait upon no opinions," “the works of Nature bow to no antiquity, for indeed, there is nothing either more ancient or of higher authority than Nature"—Nature as Harvey is never tired of calling her. Nature “ever perfect and divine” ever in harmony with herself, never doing anything amiss or in vain, ever acting with admirable skill and foresight.

And here I am again reminded of Harvey's habit of personification—“a habit born and bred of that fine frenzy" which the Discoverer shares with the Poet, inspiring him with thoughts of the possible.