GBANTHAM ADDRESS. 281 



discovered both the absorption of heat, the constitution of the 

 atmosphere, and the oxidation of metals, and by a few more 

 trials might have ascertained it. 



Cuvier had been preceded by inquirers who took sound 

 views of fossil osteology : among whom the truly original 

 genius of Hunter fills the foremost place. The inductive 

 system of Bacon, had been, at least in its practice, known to 

 his predecessors. Observations and even experiments were 

 not unknown to the ancient philosophers, though mingled with 

 gross errors : in early times, almost in the dark ages, experi- 

 mental inquiries had been carried on with success by Friar 

 Bacon, and that method actually recommended in a treatise, 

 as it was two centuries later, by Leonardo da Vinci ; and at 

 the latter end of the next century Gilbert examined the whole 

 subject of magnetic action entirely by experiment. So that 

 Lord Bacon's claim to be regarded as the father of modern 

 philosophy rests upon the important, the truly invaluable, 

 step of reducing to a system the method of investigation 

 adopted by those eminent men, generalizing it, and extending 

 its application to all matters of contingent truth, exploding 

 the errors, the absurd dogmas, and fantastic subtleties of the 

 ancient schools above all, confining the subject of our inquiry, 

 and the manner of conducting it, within the limits which our 

 faculties prescribe.* 



cette augmentation pourrait aussi leur etre venue de la meme cause, et non 

 de la matiere iguee.' He had been experimenting with a view to try if 

 heat had any weight. (Acad. des Sciences, 1737, Prix. IV. p. 169.) 



* Friar Bacon's ' Opus Majus ' was composed about the middle of the 

 13th century, certainly before 1267 ; and it contains, among other matters 

 connected with experimental inquiry, a treatise expressly setting forth the 

 advantages of that mode of philosophising. His aversion to the Aristote- 

 lian errors, and his departure from the whole philosophy of the times, was 

 probably at the bottom of the charges of heresy under which he suifered 

 cruel persecution for so many years. Gilbert's Treatise, ' De Magnete et 

 Corporibus Magneticis,' was published in 1600. It is entirely founded on 

 experiments and observations, and is called by Lord Bacon " A painful and 

 experimental work." Newton, who never alludes to Bacon, has been by 

 some supposed not to have been acquainted with his writings. Sir D. 



