ON THE STUDY OF PHYSICS. 



cannot for an instant regard them as the final achievements 

 of Science, but rather as an earnest of what she is \?et to do. 

 They mark oar first great advances upon the dominion of 

 Nature. Animal strength fails, but here are the forces 

 which hold the world together, and the instincts and suc- 

 cesses 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 func- 

 tions, its value, though not so great, is still more tangible. 

 Why, for example, should members of parliament 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 be- 

 wilderments of the committee-room? The education 

 which does not supply the want here referred to, fails in 

 its duty to England. Wiih 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 influence 

 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 permanently 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 workingman, and every one of these 

 would be a point of force to protect him against tempta- 

 tion. Besides this, our factories and our foundries present 

 an extensive field of observation, and were those who work 

 in them rendered capable, by previous culture, of observing 

 what they see, the results might be incalculable, Who 



