130 Chronicles of Science. [Jan. 
day by day becoming more and more limited, as the object and powers 
of the instrument are becoming better and better understood. Many 
false doctrines have no doubt been promulgated in consequence of the 
employment of the microscope; but for one that depended on the 
imperfection of the instrument, a thousand arose from a defect in the 
observer. We are even forced to admit, that there are still amongst us, 
men who without any previous training, or special aptitude for micro- 
scopical research, damage the cause in which they are volunteers, by 
insisting upon publishing the result of their labours, and loading our 
journals with false data and erroneous theories ; which although 
perhaps perfectly harmless in themselves, nevertheless clog the 
chariot wheels of progress. And what is still more unfortunate, these 
would-be discoverers often become the worst enemies of the micro- 
scope ; for, as in the course of time they see their cherished facts 
and theories one by one swept away, instead of attributing this their 
misfortune to its proper cause, they seek to turn the blame against the 
instrument, which they imagine misled them. In a word, the enemies 
of the microscope, at the present time, are only to be found, either 
among those who do not possess an instrument, or possessing one, do 
not know how to use it. Remember, we do not consider that a man 
knows how to employ the microscope because he can demonstrate the 
presence of infusoria in a drop of water, exhibit muscular fibres on 
prepared slides, or focus photographs of the Royal family, not bigger 
than a pin’s point ; for nine out of every dozen of men who can do 
that are unequal to the preparation and demonstration of a piece 
of simple cellular tissue. If the microscope fails to assist such as 
we have just been describing, that is no reason why it should fail to 
assist others, even although they are not scientific men. 
The education requisite for microscopical inquiry is a special 
education, attainable by every ordinarily educated man, either by 
means of books, or, what is still better, by oral instruction. In proof 
of this assertion we have only to look around us, and see in whose 
hands the microscope is now being turned to account, and we shall at 
once perceive that the employment of the instrument is no longer the 
monopoly of professional men. It has even passed through the 
second stage of its career, and after having for a time occupied the 
place of instructor of the idle hour to the amateur, has entered, in the 
hands of the commercial class, upon the third phase of its existence. 
The liquids we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, have each 
been found to le within its scope. Hence the microscope is to be 
met with in the office, in the warehouse, and in the shop. It is con- 
sulted in ascertaining the purity of flour, in revealing the nature of 
arrowroot, in unmasking the adulterations of coffee, and in innume- 
rable other ways advancing the interests of trade. And it would prove 
even still more useful in its commercial capacity, if men would but 
refrain from seeking its assistance until they had exhausted the infor- 
mation attainable by the unaided eye; for the true object of the 
microscope is not to supplant, as too many imagine, but to extend our 
ordinary means of observation, and when so employed it never fails 
