14 DISCOURSE ON THE STUDY 



knowledge of facts, which are the objects of en- 

 quiry to the natural philosopher. As truth is single, 

 and consistent with itself, a principle may be as 

 completely and as plainly elucidated by the most 

 familiar and simple fact, as by the most imposing and 

 uncommon phenomenon. The colours which glitter 

 on a soap-bubble are the immediate consequence of 

 a principle the most important from the variety of 

 phenomena it explains, and the most beautiful, from 

 its simplicity and compendious neatness, in the whole 

 science of optics. If the nature of periodical colours 

 can be made intelligible by" the contemplation of 

 such a trivial object, from that moment it becomes a 

 noble instrument in the eye of correct judgment ; 

 and to blow a large, regular, and durable soap-bubble 

 may become the serious and praiseworthy endeavour 

 of a sage, while children stand round and scoff, or 

 children of a larger growth hold up their hamfe in 

 astonishment at such waste of time and trouble. 

 To the natural philosopher there is no natural 

 object unimportant or trifling. From the least of 

 nature's works he may learn the greatest lessons. 

 The fall of an apple to the ground may raise his 

 thoughts to the laws which govern the revolutions 

 of the planets in their orbits ; or the situation of a 

 pebble may afford him evidence of the state of the 

 globe he inhabits, myriads of ages ago, before his 

 species became its denizens. 



(11.) And this is, in fact, one of the great sources 

 of delight which the study of natural science imparts 

 to its votaries. A mind which has once imbibed a 

 taste for scientific enquiry, and has learnt the habit 



