EXAMPLES OF THE FOUR METHODS. 481 



of the facts which disproved the specific conclusion. Hence 

 it is, that while the thoughts of mankind have on many sub 

 jects worked themselves practically right, the thinking power 

 remains as weak as ever : and on all subjects on which the 

 facts which would check the result are not accessible, as in 

 what relates to the invisible world, and even, as has been seen 

 lately, to the visible world of the planetary regions, men of 

 the greatest scientific acquirements argue as pitiably as the 

 merest ignoramus. For though they have made many sound 

 inductions, they have not learnt from them (and Dr. Whewell 

 thinks there is no necessity that they should learn) the prin 

 ciples of inductive evidence. 



VOL. i. 31 



