360 SPARKS FROM A GEOLOGIST'S HAMMER. 



before attention, and selecting the like and neglecting the 

 unlike. This is well illustrated by the method of astron- 

 omy in selecting from an apparently chaotic mass of ob- 

 servations such as agree in time and position with a 

 given set of observations, and thus afford ground for the 

 elimination of the law of the motion of a newly investi- 

 gated planet or comet; or the law of correlation between 

 sun-spots on the one hand and auroral displays, magnetic 

 disturbances or Indian famines on the other. 



It is the work of science to extend as far as possible 

 the knowledge of phenomena. It is its higher work to 

 arrange phenomena into homogeneous groups, that is, 

 into series of successions in which the terms appear to 

 possess some fixed relations of time, space or nature to 

 each other. It is the highest work of science to loerfect 

 the classification of phenomena and induce the laws under 

 which they occur. 



The work of science has proceeded so far that innumera- 

 ble phenomena, which were once regarded as isolated, are 

 known to occupy fixed places in invariable sequences which 

 come into existence under laws of nature. 



Isolated phenomena, that is, those not apprehended as 

 sustaining relations of effect to antecedent phenomena, 

 were regarded in unscientific ages as occurring by chance, 

 or through the momentary volition of beings possessing 

 control of particular departments of nature, or of the 

 whole of nature. A sentiment universal, and undoubt- 

 edly innate in humanity, prompts intelligence to recog- 

 nize the existence of one or more superior beings, to 

 whom the direct or indirect causation of phenomena may 

 be ascribed, and toward whom a feeling of veneration 

 may be directed. As fast as science has succeeded in 



