Manner of Designing.  He was a Master too in Sculpture and Architecture, and skilful in Anatomy, Mathematicks, and Mechanicks.  The Aquaeduct from the River Adda to Milan, is mentioned as a Work of his Contrivance.  He had learned several Languages, and was acquainted with the Studies of History, Philosophy, Poetry, and Musick.  Though it is not necessary to my present Purpose, I cannot but take notice, that all who have writ of him mention likewise his Perfections of Body.  The Instances of his Strength are almost incredible.  He is described to have been of a well-formed Person, and a Master of all genteel Exercises.  And lastly, we are told that his moral Qualities were agreeable to his natural and intellectual Endowments, and that he was of an honest and generous Mind, adorned with great Sweetness of Manners.  I might break off the Account of him here, but I imagine it will be an Entertainment to the Curiosity of my Readers, to find so remarkable a Character distinguished by as remarkable a Circumstance at his Death.  The Fame of his Works having gained him an universal Esteem, he was invited to the Court of France, where, after some time, he fell sick; and Francis the First coming to see him, he raised himself in his Bed to acknowledge the Honour which was done him by that Visit.  The King embraced him, and Leonardo fainting at the same Instant, expired in the Arms of that great Monarch.

It is impossible to attend to such Instances as these, without being raised into a Contemplation on the wonderful Nature of an Human Mind, which is capable of such Progressions in Knowledge, and can contain such a Variety of Ideas without Perplexity or Confusion.  How reasonable is it from hence to infer its Divine Original?  And whilst we find unthinking Matter endued with a Natural Power to last for ever, unless annihilated by Omnipotence, how absurd would it be to imagine, that a Being so much Superior to it should not have the same Privilege?

At the same time it is very surprizing, when we remove our Thoughts from such Instances as I have mentioned, to consider those we so frequently meet with in the Accounts of barbarous Nations among the Indians; where we find Numbers of People who scarce shew the first Glimmerings of Reason, and seem to have few Ideas above those of Sense and Appetite.  These, methinks, appear like large Wilds, or vast uncultivated Tracts of Human Nature; and when we compare them with Men of the most exalted Characters in Arts and Learning, we find it difficult to believe that they are Creatures of the same Species.

Some are of Opinion that the Souls of Men are all naturally equal, and that the great Disparity we so often observe, arises from the different Organization or Structure of the Bodies to which they are United.  But whatever constitutes this first Disparity, the next great Difference which we find between Men in their several Acquirements is owing to accidental Differences in their Education, Fortunes, or Course of Life.  The Soul is a kind of rough Diamond, which requires Art, Labour, and Time to polish it.  For want of which, many a good natural Genius is lost, or lies unfashioned, like a Jewel in the Mine.