418 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BOOKS. 



It may be thought that this order ought to be reversed if the rule of an upward 

 advancing series be inflexible and absolute; and that the first application of 

 pure mathematics should be to physics or pure mechanics; the second to 

 geodesy ; and the third to astronomy or celestial mechanics. But a little con- 

 sideration will teach that the first, most common and closest practical application 

 of pure mathematics has been to astronomy and navigation; then to geodesy; 

 and then to the mechanic arts ; whereas physics proper have been based hitherto 

 much more on experiment than on calculation. The rule of an upward advanc- 

 ing series is indefinite in one of its factors, if not in both; for questions of 

 dignity among the sciences are not always easy to settle; nor can astronomy 

 maintain so easily as once she could her right to precedency at court before 

 geodesy, now that the personal characters of the planets and fixed stars have 

 been so critically discussed. The rule of common usage, therefore, Avliich is 

 also the rule of convenience to some extent, must have some power given it 

 over these arrangements; especially where, as in the case in point, still further 

 subdivisions must be made to reach the last or most concrete applications of the 

 science pure. Astronomy is indissolubly connected with meteorology, and finds 

 its practical utility in navigation. Geodesy cannot be separated widely from 

 geography; while this last involves voyages and travels, and this again maps 

 and charts, which are the direct objects of geodesy. No less does the division 

 ijf physics create, if the library be extensive, the distinct sections of light, 

 heat, magnetism, electricity, &c. 



But there is another reason for the order adopted. A third and most important 

 rule of arrangement remains to be stated. It will be seen that certain subjects 

 arc essentially transitional, and must be placed at the end of the class to which 

 they belong, for the reason that they carry the train of development over to the 

 beginning of the class next following. 



Thus, in Class II, that of the mathematical sciences; division 2*, that of 

 ])hysics, stands last because the next Class III, that of the inorganic sciences, 

 begins with chemistry. In Class III, division 3\ geology comes last, because it 

 carries with it palaeontology, mediating between the inorganic and the organic 

 world. In Class IV, division 4^*, human physiology comes last, because it 

 brings into view the close and consummation of the Avliole organic system, 

 man, and thereby prepares the way for historical research. 



Leaving the first or natural series, and coming to the second or human series, 

 we find the same rule reigning. In Class V, that of the historical sciences 

 proper, Avhieh still regards mankind from a naturalistic point of view as inhab- 

 iting the earth like the other orders of created beings, but wilh peculiar and 

 liigher relationships to it, namely, the relationships of time, progress, develop- 

 ment, and accomplishments, and therefore commences with chronology, it is 

 plain that division S'*, that of history proper, must follow ethnography and 

 archaeology, instead of preceding them, because it alone can introduce the 

 discussion of society. 



In Class VI, that of the social sciences, regarding mankind with still in- 

 creasing respect — no longer as a mere herd of intelligent animals spread abroad 

 at first, and afterwards migrating to and fro ujDon the earth by virtue of cosmical 

 influences, and absolutely under their direction, but as groups of thoughtful 

 people, endowed with the genius of arts and arms, and skilled in manufactures, 

 commerce, Avar, and law, it is evident that these four applications of human 

 genius in society maintain the ascending movement, and pass us seriously from 

 this over to the next. Legal science, division G', stands last in order, because 

 related nighest, through language, to the spiritual sciences, which occupy the 

 seventh plane. 



In Class VII, its last division, 7*^, that of religious science, i^ not merely the 

 culmination of this particular class, considered as the range of man's instincts of 



