126 



is a scheme or plan laid down, from which the best results may be 

 expected ; and on the extent to which the conduct or action is 

 guided by the scheme or plan, depends the perfection or otherwise 

 of the result. The conclusion arrived at must be that, viewed in 

 the abstract, theory and practice bear the very closest relation to 

 each other. Considered in reference to physics, their relation is 

 close, and is constantly becoming closer ; in morals it is capable 

 of being much more intimate than at present seems to be the case. 

 Physically only, and not morally, can we as yet accept the definition 

 of theory and practice which postulates them as " thought and 

 action," or as "reciprocal parts of a unity." 



Mr. J. NIXON'S PAPER. 



It is a common assertion that all our great practical utilities 

 existed at first in the state of theory. I quote this statement, 

 because I wish to inform you that I shall confine my attention to 

 the theory and practice implied in it, that is to the theory and 

 practice meant by those who use the words in ordinary conversation, 

 and discuss their relative value in the rise and progress of our arts and 

 manufactures. Every department of practice has its special ends to 

 be attained, and the means for attaining these ends finally resolves 

 itself into knowledge. One of the ends of agriculture, for example, 

 is to have good crops, and the means for attaining this end is a 

 knowledge of certain implements with the mode of using them, 

 and of certain manures to be applied ) the end of navigation is 

 sailing the seas, and the means for attaining this end is a knowledge 

 of certain vessels which float in water, of contrivances for moving 

 them through the water, and of various sciences for guiding them 

 to their destination. Now, if knowledge be one extreme, and an 

 end to be attained the other, somewhere between the two, theory 

 and practice will be found. In solving the question it will be 

 convenient to view it in three different aspects, — the first, where 

 the means suggests the end ; the second, where the end leads to 

 the discovery of the means ; and the third, where the end has been 



