30Q Methods of Rcafonlng in Selena. 



fame eafe with which this is evinced of extended magnitudes. 

 But I will not multiply examples of what is fo obvious. 



When time is made the fubjeiSl of mathematical calcula- 

 tion ; it is then conlidercd either as numerical quantity, or as 

 lineally extended magnitude, or as a combination of the one 

 "with the other. 



Didances are obvioufly fubjefts of mathematical calcula- 

 tion, folely hecaufe they are modes of lineal extenfion. 



Nothing elfc can be brought under the mere forms of 

 mathematics without a fiction, that it is either numerical or 

 lineally extended quantity. 



All the truths of mathematics, antient and modern, pure 

 and mixed, might be more happily than in any other mode 

 of expofition unfolded in a fyftematic arrangement, like that 

 under which Linnaeus has difpofed the hiftory of the king- 

 doms of nature, or the table in which the French chemiits 

 contrived beautifully to ftate the truths and analogies in the 

 Lavolfierian fyftcm of that fcience. 



I do not at all communicate this, Sir, as any mighty dif- 

 covery. I ihould only wifli to convince fome mathematicians 

 that naturalilts rcafon juft as much as they, and prccifely in 

 the fame way; that mathematics, like all other branches of 

 human fcience, deals merely in the difcernment of exiltence 

 and in arrangement ; that it is not, therefore, more remote 

 than any other fcience from the common fenfe and conmion 

 utilities of life; that it has no right to be efteemed the only 

 fcience bv which the reafoning powers are to be fuccefsfuUy 

 invigorated ; that its forms may be yet advantageoully fim- 

 plified ; and, that all its general and fpecific truths might be 

 very intelligibly exhibited in one fyilem, and in one or two 

 grand tables. 



At my firft lelfure, Sir, I fliall take the liberty of addreffing 

 you on a diti'erent iubjeft; and Ihall communicate certain 

 iafls, from which the ehdrical Jiuid appears to me to be 

 certainly an oxide of caloric. 



I am. Sir, yours, 



R. Heron. 



London, 

 Di camber 7th, 1801. 



L. Rc-port 



