on the Classification of the Different Branches of Knffisoledge. 475 



subject to state, although a circumstance not adverted to by Mr. Lub- 

 bock, was devised by Coleridge. Mr. Lubbock next proceeds to ex- 

 plain his own system of classification of the different branches of 

 human knowledge, as given at the conclusion of the present article ; 

 in the course of which explanation he introduces the following im- 

 portant remarks : — 



" The subject is not without difScuity ; in matters of this kind, which like all 

 questions of taste, admit of various solutions, it is impossible to lay down impe- 

 rative rules ; I at least have no such pretension. Still I contend that to all, but 

 especially to those concerned in education, the contemplation of any rational 

 classification of the branches of human knowledge must be useful. To those who 

 habitually confine their attention to the hmited speculations of any particular 

 science, a more extended survey of the relations which it bears to others cannot 

 fail to be profitable. I have endeavoured to adhere closely to established scientific 

 nomenclature ; by so doing I have avoided the necessity of introducing extended 

 definitions and explanations of the subjects which are embraced by different sci- 

 ences or subdivisions of the principal categoiies, and Avhich are the less wanted 

 here, because those who write complete treatises upon any branch of human 

 knowledge, generally commence by a careful limitation of the objects which are 

 included in it. The Umits of the subdivisions are generally ascertained, but the 

 line of demarcation between Natural Philosophy and Natural History has 

 not been sufficiently considered, and is by no means well defined. I think, perhaps, 

 Natural History might be advantageously limited to the study of organized 

 beings, including Botany and Zoology, and Natural Philosophy {La Physique) 

 might then be restricted to the study of inorganic and terrestrial pbienomena as 

 described and limited by Prof. Lame. Although there are some points which 

 may be considered doubtful, yet these do not appear to me to be numerous, or 

 the difficulties insm'mountable which stand in the way of obtaining an unexcep- 

 tionable system of classification, which should meet with general adoption. In 

 the present state of this important problem, I have thought it might be useful to 

 place in the Appendix various schemes of classification which have been devised, 

 so that by their juxtaposition their comparative mei'its may be readily inves- 

 tigated*, my object being to bring imder notice facts bearing upon the subject, in 

 the hope that, divested of fantastical and unnecessary innovations, the question 

 may find more favour than it has hitherto experienced." 



Having in conclusion of this part of the subject briefly compared 

 his own system with those of Ampere and the Encyclopaedia Metro- 

 politana, he proceeds to consider the difficulties which occur in the 

 distribution of books, and their causes, noticing the classifications of 

 books by Leibnitz, Girard, Brunet, Mr. Home, and some others, and 

 introducing his own scheme, founded upon that of the branches of 

 knowledge themselves, as above mentioned, by the following appo- 

 site observation : "No system of classification of the branches of 

 human knowledge can be complete which will not bear the test of 

 its application to the classification of books ; and conversely every 

 classification of books which is not purely artificial, involves a classi- 

 fication of the subjects of which they treat." 



Mr. Lubbock next compares his own classification of books with 

 several others, adverts to the distribution of the objects of science 

 and literature by and among universities and scientific bodies and 

 societies, and concludes the text of his little work with the following 

 reflections : — 



* See a note in the introduction to the (Euvres Philosophiques de Bacon, by 

 Professor BouiUet, in which some other systems which have been proposed are 

 mentioned. 



