CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 



Page 



The Translator's Preface v 



The Author's Preface iz 



Summary [i] 



INTRODUCTION. 



The results of the study of physical phenomena 1 



The different epochs of the contemplation of the external world ... 2 

 The different degrees of enjoyment presented by the contemplation 



of nature 3 



Instances of this species of enjoyment 4 



Means by which it is induced 6 



The elevations and climatic relations of many of the most celebrated 

 mountains in the world, considered with reference to the effect 



produced on the mind of the observer 6 12 



The impressions awakened by the aspect of tropical regions 13 



The more accurate knowledge of the physical forces of the universe, 

 acquired by the inhabitants of a small section of the tempe- 

 rate zone 15 



The earliest dawn of the science of the Cosmos 16 



The difficulties that opposed the progress of inquiry 17 



Consideration of the effect produced on the mind by the observa- 

 tion of nature, and the fear entertained by some of its injurious 



influence 20 



Illustrations of the manner in which many recent discoveries have 

 tended to remove the groundless fears entertained regarding 



the agency of certain natural phenomena 23 



The amount of scientific knowledge required to enter on the consi- 

 deration of physical phenomena 27 



The object held in view by the present work 29 



' The nature of the study of the Cosmos 31 



The special requirements of the present age 33 



