I hear certain philosophers who answer me that all this discourse on the art that shines in the universe is but a continued sophism.  “All nature,” will they say, “is for man’s use, it is true; but you have no reason to infer from thence, that it was made with art, and on purpose for the use of man.  A man must be ingenious in deceiving himself who looks for and thinks to find what never existed.”  “It is true,” will they add, “that man’s industry makes use of an infinite number of things that nature affords, and are convenient for him; but nature did not make those things on purpose for his 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