330 The Modern Aspects of Physical Science. [July, 
Physical Science of the present day; and it is from a careful study of 
those, that we arrive at the conclusion that the present is a transition 
eriod. We have included in our list some recent works on Chemistry. 
hen the reader reflects on the phenomena connected with the so- 
called molecular forees—embracing especially those of capillary 
attraction, of exosmose and endosmose, of epipolic action or surface 
force, of all that belongs to the allotropic state, and of the facts 
connected with diffusion and transpiration—he will feel that Physics 
claims a large portion of the domain of Chemistry as its own. The 
influences of Light, Heat, and Electricity, in producing chemical 
changes, and again the development of those energies by chemical 
action, prove the close alliance of Physical and Chemical Science in 
all that relates to the properties of molecules and masses. It is on 
this account—although we may not, in this article, make any 
further reference to them—that we have included Watts’s admirable 
‘Dictionary of Chemistry’ and Dr. Hofmann’s excellent little 
volume, as the exponents of the principles—it might be better to 
write—the philosophy—of this science. Our desire is to stimulate 
inquiry, to invite search, and to show that amongst the authorities 
in science there exist great differences of opinion upon some most 
important questions. Therefore we have selected those works which 
most fully and satisfactorily set forth the philosophy of modern 
Physical Science as the basis of our remarks. 
It is universally admitted that we live in a transition period. 
Old things are being roughly examined, and in many cases subverted, 
while the New is only, as yet, upon trial. As the political atmo- 
sphere exhibits unmistakable tendencies towards a storm, all the 
elements of which are surely gathering upon the horizon, so the 
philosophical atmosphere is disturbed by the conflict of opposing 
currents of thought, which threaten a cyclonic movement likely to 
earry destruction as it passes, through many a favoured field. Some 
of our social organizations, stamped with the approval of centuries, 
and which have hitherto been, throngh the sanctifying powers of 
age, regarded with feelings of superstitious reverence, are being 
rudely shaken. It is clear that many of them will perish in the 
storm; but it is not so clear that those systems which will occupy 
the ground they filled are destined to endure so long, or to serve 
4. ‘The Reign of Law.’ By the Duke of Argyll. Strachan. 
5. ‘A Treatise on Frictional Electricity.’ By the late Sir Wm. Snow Harris; 
edited by Charles Tomlinson, F.R.S. Virtue. 
: 6. ‘Researches on Solar Physics.’ By Warren De la Rue, F.R.S.; Balfour 
Stewart, F.R.S.; and Benjamin Loewy. Printed for private circulation. 
7. ‘A Dictionary of Chemistry.’ By Henry Watts, F.R.S., &e. Longmans. 
8. ‘Introduction to Modern Chemistry, &c.’ By A. W. Hofmann, LL.D., F.BS. 
Walton & Maberley. 
9. ‘Reports of the British Association.’ 
10, ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.’ 
