338 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



No one, even in our own times, ever wrote more strongly in favor 

 of the practical method than did this follower of St. Francis in the 

 thirteenth century. Being convinced that there can be no conflict be- 

 tween scientific and revealed truths, he became an irrepressible advocate 

 for observation and experiment in the study of the phenomena and 

 forces of nature. 



The example of Albert and of Friar Bacon, not to mention others 

 like Vincent of Beauvais, the Dominican encyclopedist, was, however, 

 not sufficient to wean students and professors from the easy-going 

 routine of book-learning. A few centuries had to elapse before the 

 weaning was effectively begun ; and the man who powerfully contributed 

 to this result was Dr. William Gilbert, the philosopher of Colchester. 



Gilbert was born in Colchester * in 1540 in a house which, thanks to 

 the appreciation of the authorities of that ancient town, the writer 

 found in an excellent state of preservation on the occasion of his visit 

 in quest of Gilbertiana. 



Having received the elements of his education in the grammar 

 school of his native town, Gilbert entered St. John's College, Cam- 

 bridge. He graduated in 1560, 'commenced' M. A. in 1564, and took 

 his M. D. degree iu 1569. On leaving the university, he traveled for 

 some time on the Continent, where he made the acquaintance of several 

 distinguished scholars. On his return to England he practised, we are 

 told, 'with great success and applause.' His reputation obtained for 

 him the presidency of the Eoyal College of Physicians for the year 

 1600, and ultimately led to his being appointed physician in ordinary 

 to the Queen (Elizabeth). 



We are not here concerned with Gilbert as a physician and still less 

 as a courtier. His claims to enduring recognition are of a higher order, 

 for we regard him not only as the author of a monumental work of 

 physical research, but also as founder, by word and deed, of the Experi- 

 mental School of philosophy. 



In his address to the 'candid reader' at the beginning of De Mag- 

 netej he pointedly says : 



"To you alone, true philosophers, ingenuous minds, who not only in books, 

 but in things themselves, look for knowledge, have I dedicated a new style of 

 philosophizing. But if any of you see fit not to agree with the opinions ex- 

 pressed, let them note the great multitude of experiments and discoveries, for it 

 is these that cause all philosophy to flourish: we have dug them up and demon- 

 strated them witli much pains and sleepless nights and great money expense." 



Further on he adds : 



"Nor did we find this, our labor, vain and fruitless, for every day in our 

 experiments novel and unheard of properties came to light." 



* A town in Essex, fifty miles northeast of London. 



t The only English translation of this work which we have is by Mr. P. 

 Henry Mottelay, of New York, published by Wiley & Sons. 



