The  sciences  are  of  many  different  kinds ;  and  in  science,  the
same  as  in  business,  the  division  of  labour  is  indispensable.  If
a  general  and  superficial  acquaintance  with  every  department
be  all  that  is  acquired,  but  little  progress  can  be  expected.
Time,  expense,  and  talent,  must  be  husbanded,  and  the  atten-
tion of  the  individual  especially  directed  to  one  or  a  few  branches
only,  leaving  to  other  individuals  a  similar  exclusiveness  of  at-
tention to  other  branches.  Hence  we  find  the  sciences  divided
into  a  great  many  separate  branches,  each  of  which  presents
occupation  to  a  peculiar  class  of  inquirers.  This  division
sharpens  the  intellectual  powers ;  each  individual  is  enabled  to
examine  more  acutely  the  several  parts  of  his  own  peculiar
branch ;  in  consequence,  to  become  more  familiarly  acquainted


ON    THE    DIVISION    OF    EMPLOYMENTS.  209

with  it^  and  to  attain  a  greater  proficiency  and  expertness  in
matters  relating  to  it  than  he  otherwise  could :  time  is  saved,
more  work  is  done  upon  the  whole,  and  knowledge  is  immeasur-
ably advanced  thereby.  By  such  means,  the  extensive  know-
ledge already  acquired  is  not  only  kept  up  and  diffused,  a  work
in  itself  impracticable  in  any  other  way,  but  new  progress  is
made,  and  a  higher  state  of  advancement  is  continually  attained.
Fourthly,  another  result  of  the  division  of  labour  is,  the  eco-
nomy and  husbanding  of  talent,  skill,  and  power  which  it  effects.
