THE ABSTRACT-CONCRETE SCIENCES. 77 



The truths elaborated are severally asserted, not as 

 truths exhibited by this or that particular object ; but 

 as truths universally holding of Matter and Motion in 

 their more general or more special forms, considered 

 apart from particular objects, and particular places in 

 space. 



The sub-divisions of this group of Sciences, may bo 

 drawn on the same principle as that on which the 

 sub-divisions of the preceding group were drawn. 

 Phenomena, considered as more or less involved 

 manifestations of force, yield on analysis, certain 

 laws of manifestation that are universal, and other 

 laws of manifestation, which, being dependent on 

 conditions, are not universal. Hence the Abstract- 

 Concrete Sciences are primarily divisible into the 

 laws of force considered apart from its separate modes, 

 and laws of force considered under each of its sepa 

 rate modes. And this second division of the Abstract- 

 Concrete group, is sub-divisible after a manner essen 

 tially analogous. It is needless to occupy space by 



made to this statement. The production of new compounds by synthesis, has of 

 late become an important branch of chemistry. According to certain known laws 

 of composition, complex substances, which never before existed, are formed, and 

 fulfil anticipations both as to their general properties and as to the proportions of 

 their constituents as proved by analysis. Here it may be said with truth, that 

 analysis is used to verify synthesis. Nevertheless, the exception to the above 

 statement is apparent only not real. In so far as the production of new com 

 pounds is carried on merely for the obtainment of such new compounds, it is not 

 Science but Art the application of pre-established knowledge to the achievement 

 of ends. The proceeding is a part of Science, only in so far as it is a means to 

 the better interpretation of the order of Nature. And how docs it aid the inter 

 pretation ? It docs it only by verifying the pre-established conclusions respecting 

 the laws of molecular combination ; or by serving further to explain them. That 

 is to say, these syntheses, considered on their scientific side, have simply the pur 

 pose of forwarding the analysis af the laws of chemical combination. 



