AIM AND PROGRESS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE. 321 



preparatory work tends. I believe I am correct in thus de- 

 scribing the work and mental condition that precedes all those 

 great results which hastened so much the development of science 

 after its long inaction, and gave it so powerful an influence over 

 every phase of human life. 



The period of work, then, is no time for broad comprehensive 

 survey. When, however, the victory over difficulties has 

 happily been gained, and results are secured, a period of repose 

 follows, and our interest is next directed to examining the bear- 

 ing of the newly established facts, and once more venturing on 

 a wider survey of the adjoining territory. This is essential, and 

 those only who are capable of viewing it in this light can hope 

 to find useful starting-points for further investigation. 



The preliminary work is followed by other work, treating 

 of other subjects. In the course of its different stages, the ob- 

 server will not deviate far from a direction of more or less nar- 

 rowed range. For it is not alone of importance to him that he 

 may have collected information from books regarding the region 

 to he explored. The human memory is, on the whole, proportion- 

 ately patient, and can store up an almost incredibly large amount 

 of learning. In addition, however, to the knowledge which the 

 student of science acquires from lectures and books, he requires 

 intelligence, which only an ample and diligent perception can 

 give him ; he needs skill, which comes only by repeated experi- 

 ment and long practice. His senses must be sharpened for cer- 

 tain kinds of observation, to detect minute differences of form, 

 colour, solidity, smell , &c. , in the obj ect under examination; his hand 

 must be equally trained to the work of the blacksmith, the lock- 

 smith, and the carpenter, or the draughtsman and the violin- 

 player, and, when operating with the microscope, must surpass 

 the lace-maker in delicacy of handling the needle. Moreover, 

 when he encounters superior destructive forces, or performs 

 bloody operations upon man or beast, he must possess the courage 

 and coolness of the soldier. Such qualities and capabilities, 

 partly the result of natural aptitude, partly cultivated by long 

 practice, are not so readily and so easily acquired as the mere 

 massing of facts in the memory ; and hence it happens that an 



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