eplied, that by
presuming to determine what is fit, and what is beneficial, they
presuppose more knowledge of the universal system than man has attained;
and therefore depend upon principles too complicated and extensive for
our comprehension; and that there can be no security in the consequence,
when the premises are not understood; that the Second Sight is only
wonderful because it is rare, for, considered in itself, it involves no
more difficulty than dreams, or perhaps than the regular exercise of the
cogitative faculty; that a general opinion of communicative impulses, or
visionary representations, has prevailed in all ages and all nations;
that particular instances have been given, with such evidence, as neither
Bacon nor Bayle has been able to resist; that sudden impressions, which
the event has verified, have been felt by more than own or publish them;
that the Second Sight of the Hebrides implies only the local frequency of
a power, which is nowhere totally unknown; and that where we are unable
to decide by antecedent reason, we must be content to yield to the force
of testimony.

By pretension to Second Sight, no profit was ever sought or gained. It
is an involuntary affection, in which neither hope nor fear are known to
have any part. Those who profess to feel it, do not boast of it as a
privilege, nor are considered by others as advantageously distinguished.
They have no temptation to feign; and their hearers have no motive to
encourage the imposture.

To talk with any of these seers is not easy. There is one living in Sky,
with whom we would have gladly conversed; but he was very gross and
ignorant, and knew no English. The proportion in these countries of the
poor to the rich is such, that if we suppose the quality to be
accidental, it can very rarely happen to a man of education; and yet on
such men it has sometimes fallen. There is now a Second Sighted
gentleman in the Highlands, who complains of the terrors to which he is
exposed.

The foresight of the Seers is not always prescience; they are impressed
with images, of which the event only shews them the meaning. They tell
what they have seen to others, who are at that time not more knowing than
themselves, but may become at last very adequate witnesses, by comparing
the narrative with its verification.

To collect sufficient testimonies for the satisfaction of the publick, or
of ourselves, would have required more time than we could bestow. T