certain essential elements in common. They represent the earnest efforts of the reason to satisfy its inmost longings—its longings to know the varied objects arresting its attention, in their ground, in their mode of existence, and in all their connections. They are therefore to be regarded each as a part of a continuous process going on in the sphere of thought. The general result of this process at any given period is philosophy, namely, that which the reason has wrought out and holds for truth;