Dr. Goring on the new Microscopes^ 8^c. 117 



have had occasion to insist so frequently in former papers, that 

 I conceive any recurrence to such topics must be here wholly 

 superfluous. 



I here cannot withstand the inviting opportunity which pre-^ 

 sents itself, of winding up this paper with a word or two con- 

 cerning the intrinsic merits of microscopes, which many 

 individuals have lately been pleased to assert have been set 

 up much too high, and have reached a level in the estimation 

 of men of science to which they are not legitimately entitled* 

 It has always been customary to vilify microscopes and those 

 who use them, as if all microscopical discoveries were at the 

 best useless, frivolous, and utterly unprofitable. Dissector 

 of blackguard vermin, observer of a drop of stinking ditch- 

 water, or of the amorous passions of worms and ants, Sfc, are 

 certainly terms which convey anything but an exalted or 

 even respectable idea of a man's character and occupation ; 

 and if microscopes could be applied to no other purposes, I 

 should be apt to think myself that a microscopist was but a 

 puny, pitiful pedant, whose passions and amusements were of a 

 childish and even degrading complexion. But I would ask 

 whether a microscope in the hands of men like Bauer is not 

 applied to high and important purposes, elucidating the most 

 curious and delicate points of anatomy and physiology. No 

 discovery has yet been made in any science more astonishing 

 than the detection and production of minute animated beings 

 without parents, out of nothing more than putrid vegetable 

 infusions, — facts which never can be suppressed or explained 

 away, — the most subtle disputants have been alike unable to 

 digest or get rid of them. 



None are apt to treat microscopists with more lively con- 

 tempt than some supercilious astronomers and even mere star- 

 gazers. Astronomy is certainly the most sublime of all the 

 sciences — 1 have the most profound veneration for it. But 

 star-gazing forms a distinct department, (though apt to be con- 

 founded with it,) and is, in my opinion, little better than gazing 

 at anything else, or downright microscophizing. What is the 

 usual fate of telescopes when not employed as regular astrono- 

 mical tools ? After they have exhibited the spots in the sun^ 



