DISCOVERY BY EXAMINING HYPOTHESES. 521 



will static electric inductive influence suffer a greater 

 alteration in passing through a first plate of intervening 

 insulating substance than in passing through a second 

 and precisely similar one ? We may similarly imagine 

 that magnetism is decomposable, and be incited to en- 

 quire : is magneto-electric inductive influence more inter- 

 cepted by a first plate of conducting material than by a 

 second exactly like it ? and so on. Although elementary 

 substances and their compounds are divided into electro- 

 positive and electro-negative, chemists, even at the present 

 day, do not seem to formally recognise the existence of 

 two kinds of chemical attraction, viz., that in metals and 

 bases, and that in metalloids and acids, corresponding to 

 their two kinds of electrical property. 



A great number of new truths will yet be evolved in 

 the complex subject of morality by assuming that the 

 chief rules of that subject are based upon the great 

 principles of nature, especially that of causation. Accord- 

 ing to Dr. Adam Clarke the fundamental rules of moral 

 conduct and righteousness are, 1. Whatever I judge 

 reasonable or unreasonable that another should do for me, 

 that I should in the like case do for him ; and 2. We 

 should anxiously endeavour to promote in general, to the 

 utmost of our power, the welfare and happiness of all 

 men. 1 These rules are perfectly in accordance with the 

 decisions of reason. The first agrees with the great 

 principle of cause and effect, and is based upon it, for 

 if ' in the like case ' what we did for another would 

 produce a different effect to what it would when done for 

 ourself, the rule would be of no use. The second also 

 agrees with the great laws of nature, for the more we 

 obey those laws, the more do we really ' promote the 

 happiness and welfare of all men.' 



1 See Sedgwick, MetJwds of Ethics, p. 358. 



[( UNIVERSITY ) 



