ON THE STUDY OF PHYSICS. 



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 

 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 em- 

 ployment 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 per- 

 manently 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 of 

 these would be a point of force to protect him against 



