Dr. Goring on the new Microscopes ^ 8{C, 121 



them, barring their effect in acting as counterpoises to super- 

 stition and barbarism ; and in this point of view, microscopic 

 science has its voice among the rest. All men are apt to de- 

 spise the pursuits of their neighbours and to dignify their own, 

 whatever they may be, as the only ones of real importance and 

 value. While microscopic investigations are consecrated by 

 the names of Pond, of Amici, of Herschel*, and of Woollaston, 

 who disdain not to relax themselves from their severer studies 

 in such pursuits, a man must be very hardy and fastidious to dare 

 to spurn or scoff at them. 



I wish not to see microscopes or microscopic researches 

 exalted any higher or debased any lower than their just level; 

 but I have been frequently taunted with their insignificance 

 and frivolity, and have, therefore, entered into the preceding 

 vindication of them. I hope I may conclude by saying that 

 we have a right to ride our hobbies quietly along the road, 

 without being considered any greater fools than our neighbours, 



I must confess that great disgrace has been brought on 

 microscopic science, by the manner in which the earlier ob- 

 servers have perverted it to the support of preconceived opi^ 

 nions and hypothetical views, as well as to the spirit of 

 wonder-making. I trust, however, that since microscopes 

 have been placed on a par with telescopes, in point of the 

 science necessary to their construction, that observations 

 made with them will possess the same precision and scientific 

 accuracy as those of astronomers, or at least that vain and 

 lying details, ad captandum vulgns, will be exploded from the 

 pages of microscopic lore in future. 



* In No. Ill, of the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Art. 20, may be seen a 

 most beautiful model of scientific investigation with the microscope, by Mr. H. entitled, 

 •' On certain optical Phenomena exhibited by Mother-of- Pearl, depending on its 

 internal Structure," and in Art. 32, of the same volume, an account of Professor 

 Amici's discoveries relative to the motion of the sap in plants, (the chara or stoue- 

 wort.) 



