72 DISCOUltSE ON THE STUDY 



by results, but conceal processes- The character 

 of science is the direct contrary. It delights to 

 lay itself open to enquiry, and is not satisfied 

 with its conclusions, till it can make the road to 

 them broad and beaten: and in its applications it 

 preserves the same character ; its whole aim being 

 to strip away all technical mystery, to illuminate 

 every dark recess, and to gain free access to all 

 processes, with a view to improve them on rational 

 principles. It would seem that a union of two quali- 

 ties almost opposite to each other a going forth of 

 the thoughts in two directions, and a sudden transfer 

 of ideas from a remote station in one to an equally 

 distant one in the other is required to start the first 

 idea of applying science. Among the Greeks, this 

 point was attained by Archimedes, but attained too 

 late, on the eve of that great eclipse of science 

 which was destined to continue for nearly eighteen 

 centuries, till Galileo in Italy, and Bacon in Eng- 

 land, at once dispelled the darkness : the one, by 

 his inventions and discoveries ; the other, by the 

 irresistible force of his arguments and eloquence. 



(65.) Finally, the improvement effected in the con- 

 dition of mankind by advances in physical science 

 as applied to the useful purposes of life, is very far 

 from being limited to their direct consequences in 

 the more abundant supply of our physical wants, and 

 the increase of our comforts. Great as these benefits 

 are, they are yet but steps to others of a still higher 

 kind. The successful results of our experiments 

 and reasonings in natural philosophy, and the incal- 

 culable advantages which experience, systematically 

 consulted and dispassionately reasoned on, has con- 



