PREFACE 



THIS little book aims at giving an account in popular 

 language of the scientific problems which are most prom- 

 inent at the present time, and attempts to portray the 

 attitude of mind of those who are engaged in solving 

 them. It has small claim to the title An Introduction to 

 Science. If it serves to give definiteness to the general 

 impressions of any amateurs of science who have attended 

 meetings of the various learned societies during the last 

 few years, its object will be fully accomplished. 



Since Bacon wrote his Novum Organum and Whewel 

 issued it "Renovatum," the field of science has extended 

 until it is no longer possible for any single student to 

 survey it. Hardly can we hope that a second Herbert 

 Spencer will extract the principles from all its provinces 

 that he may blend them into a new philosophy. 



If read without previous training or subsequent study, 

 this book can hardly fail to be misleading ; but it is 

 intended as an introduction to a series of Primers in 

 which competent teachers will treat in sufficient detail the 

 problems of which I have attempted a bird's-eye view. 



ALEX. HILL. 



DOWNING LODGE, 



December, 1899. 



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