252 LECTURE XX. 



After all that lias been effected by the united labours and talents of the 

 philosophers who have been mentioned, and of many more, who, though less 

 fortunate, have yet been highly meritorious, there is still ample opportunity 

 for the employment of genius and industry in following their steps. To sup- 

 pose that little or nothing remains to be done, betrays a want either of know- 

 ledge, or of courage. The experimental researches of some of the greatest philo- 

 sophers have been very imperfectly conducted, and the most interesting results 

 may be expected from repeating and diversifying them. Whatever advances 

 Our neighbours may have made beyond us, in intricate calculations and com- 

 binations, \ve are still able to vie with them, and shall probably long- 

 remain so, in the accuracy of our instruments, and in the art of using them 

 with precaution and with success. 



When, however, we contemplate the astonishing magnitude to which a 

 collection of books in any department of science may even at present be ex- 

 tended, and the miscellaneous nature of the works in which many of the most va- 

 hiable disquisitions have been communicated to the public, together with the 

 natural disposition to indolence, which a high degree of civilisation too fre- 

 quently encourages, there is the greatest reason to apprehend, that from the 

 continual multiplication of new essays, which are merely repetitions of others 

 that have been forgotten, the sciences will shortly be overwhelmed by their 

 own unwieldy bulk, that the pile will begin to totter under its own weight, 

 and that all the additional matter that we heap on it, will only tend to add to 

 the extent of the basis, without increasing the elevation and dignity of the fabric. 

 Having been impressed, from continued experience,with the truth of this observa- 

 tion, I have employed no small portion of time and labour, in order to obtain an 

 effectual remedy for the evil; and I trust that, in future, everyone who is de- 

 sirous of enlarging the sphere of our knowledge, with respect to any branch 

 of science, connected with the subject of these Lectures, will find it easy, by 

 consulting the authors who will be quoted in my catalogue of references, to 

 collect that previous knowledge of all that has been already done with the 

 same view, which, in justice to himself, he ought to acquire before he enters 

 on the pursuit, or at any rate, in justice to the public, before he calls on the 

 syoiid at large to participate in his improvements and discoveries. 



