s
conveniency. As, for instance, some country fellows climb up daily,
by certain craggy and pointed rocks, to the top of a mountain; but
yet it does not follow that those points of rocks were cut with art,
like a staircase, for the conveniency of men. In like manner, when
a man happens to be in the fields, during a stormy rain, and
fortunately meets with a cave, he uses it, as he would do a house,
for shelter; but, however, it cannot be affirmed that this cave was
made on purpose to serve men for a house. It is the same with the
whole world: it was formed by chance, and without design; but men
finding it as it is, had the art to turn and improve it to their own
uses. Thus the art you admire both in the work and its artificer,
is only in men, who know how to make use of everything that
surrounds them." This is certainly the strongest objection those
philosophers can raise; and I hope they will have no reason to
complain that I have weakened it; but it will immediately appear how
weak it is in itself when closely examined. The bare repetition of
what I said before will be sufficient to demonstrate it.

SECT. LXXII. Answer to the Objection of the Epicureans, who
Ascribe all to Chance.

What would one say of a man who should set up for a subtle
philosopher, or, to use the modern expression, a free-thinker, and
who entering a house should maintain it was made by chance, and that
art had not in the least contributed to render it commodious to men,
because there are caves somewhat like that house, which yet were
never dug by the art of man? One should show to such a reasoner all
the parts of the house, and tell him for instance:--Do you see this
great court-gate? It is larger than any door, that coaches may
enter it. This court has sufficient space for coaches to turn in
it. This staircase is made up of low steps, that one may ascend it
with ease; and turns according to the apartments and stories it is
to serve. The windows, opened at certain distances, light the whole
building. They are glazed, lest the wind should enter with the
light; but they may be opened at pleasure, in order to breathe a
sweet air when the weather is fair. The roof is contrived to defend
the whole house from the injuries of the air. The timber-work is
laid slanting and pointed at the top, that the rain and snow may
easily slide down on both sides. The tiles bear one upon another,
that they may cover the timber-work. The divers