GROWTH AND DIFFUSION OF CRITICAL SPIRIT. 93 



I propose now to inquire into the causes which have 2. 

 brought about this change which, as I said, amounts in the change. 

 many cases to a complete reversal of the estima- 

 tion in which the mathematical and natural sciences 

 on the one hand, the historical and philosophical on the 

 other, are held. The earlier part of this History has 

 furnished the answer to the first half of the problem : 

 I there endeavoured to show that the success and 

 assurance of scientific thought has grown with the 

 growth and diffusion of the scientific spirit, which has 

 been more clearly defined as the exact or mathematical 

 spirit. It is however very likely, nay, almost certain, 

 that the employment of these methods alone would not 

 have secured for science that triumphant, not to say 

 that boastful, position to which it has universally 

 attained. This is greatly owing to the practical appli- 

 cations to commerce and industry which have followed 

 the discoveries of that long line of intellects of a high 

 order to whom the recent progress of science is due. 

 It must in justice be added that it is not in their own 

 writings and deliverances that we, as a rule, meet 

 with that tone of assurance. This is more frequent 

 among those who are occupied with the popularisation 

 and diffusion rather than with the extension of scientific 

 knowledge. 



The second part of this History will have to answer 

 the other half of the above question, namely, what are 

 the causes that have brought about that great change 

 in the general and popular appreciation of philosophical 



Q 



discussions ? How is it that instead of one or two Anarchy 



of recent 



dominant systems of thought we have now what may 



