ON THE STUDY OF PHYSICS. 397 



forces which hold the world together, and the instincts 

 and successes of Man assure him that these forces are 

 his when he is wise enough to command them. 



As an instrument of intellectual culture, the study 

 of Physics is profitable to all: as bearing upon special 

 functions, its value, though not so great, is still more 

 tangible. Why, for example, should Members of Par- 

 liament be ignorant of the subjects concerning which 

 they are called upon to legislate? In this land of 

 practical physics, why should they be unable to form 

 an independent opinion upon a physical question? 

 Why should the member of a parliamentary committee 

 be left at the mercy of interested disputants when a 

 scientific question is discussed, until he deems the nap 

 a blessing which rescues him from the bewilderments 

 of the committee-room? The education which does 

 not supply the want here referred to, fails in its duty 

 to England. With regard to our working people, in 

 the ordinary sense of the term working, the study of 

 Physics would, I imagine, be profitable, not only as a 

 means of intellectual culture, but also as a moral in- 

 fluence to woo them from pursuits which now degrade 

 them. A man's reformation oftener depends upon the 

 indirect, than upon the direct action of the will. The 

 will must be exerted in the choice of employment 

 which shall break the force of temptation by erecting 

 a barrier against it. The drunkard, for example, is in 

 a perilous condition if he content himself merely with 

 saying, or swearing, that he will avoid strong drink. 

 His thoughts, if not attracted by another force, will 

 revert to the public-house, and to rescue him perma- 

 nently from this, you must give him an equivalent. 



By investing the objects of hourly intercourse with 

 an interest which prompts reflection, new enjoyments 

 would be opened to the working man, and every one 



