CLASSIFICATION OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. 33 



classification ; founded, as it is, upon real anomalies, or irregularities, 

 in the very subjects of knowledge. The different branches of know- 

 ledge are so concatenated, or interwoven ; having, as Cicero ex- 

 presses it, a common bond or tie, (vinculum commune") ; that no 

 classification can perfectly satisfy all the conditions ; though one may 

 approach much nearer to it than another. That classification which 

 satisfies the greatest number of the most important conditions, is the 

 best, therefore, which the subject admits ; and our only resource is 

 to treat of each topic most fully in the place where it most strictly 

 belongs ; with careful references to and from those connections or 

 relations, which the system does not bring explicitly into view. This 

 principle of double reference, will be found occasionally necessary in 

 every possible system of human knowledge ; and especially so in 

 alphabetical Encyclopaedias ; which, without it, would be labyrinths 

 without a clue. 



If we adopt Ampere's first division of human knowledge, into 

 two great kingdoms. Noology relating to mind, and Cosmology 

 relating to matter, the first two of our provinces would correspond 

 to the former, and the other two, to the latter. Strictly speaking, 

 however, the second and fourth provinces relate to mind and matter 

 in connection ; that is, to man, and his labors, considered as an im- 

 mortal spirit, transiently inhabiting a mortal body, and thus bound to 

 the material world. Indeed, so closely are mind and matter connected, 

 in all human researches, that we regard this step in the division, as 

 of minor importance ; and have accordingly omitted to give it a dis- 

 tinct place. Should it be objected that the names of our provinces, 

 and minor divisions, are not absolutely precise, but admit of greater 

 or less extension ; we must reply that the same remark holds true of 

 nearly all the general terms of science; which are in a like degree 

 arbitrary and exceptionable, owing to the inherent defects of human 

 language. But we add, that the names here chosen may be easily 

 adapted, and without confusion, or violation of existing usage, to the 

 ground which they are intended to cover. 



With these preliminary remarks, we proceed to resolve the four 

 great provinces of human knowledge into their appropriate depart- 

 ments ; briefly explaining, as we proceed, the reasons for the arrange- 

 ment here adopted.* The acquisition of some one language, is 

 necessarily the first of mental attainments: and this is deemed a suf- 

 ficient reason, in the absence of opposing ones, for placing first in 

 order, the department of Glossology ; or the study of all Languages ; 

 including Grammar and Lexicology. As the study of Grammar leads 

 to that of Rhetoric ; which is introductory to Logic ; and this to 

 Phrenics or Mental Philosophy, and Ethics or Moral Philosophy ; 

 and these to Education ; it seems proper to place next in order the 

 department of Psychology, in which all these branches are, we think, 

 properly included. The Mental Sciences form a natural introduction 

 to the subjects of Law and Government, including Political Philoso- 



* The derivation of the names of all the provinces, departments, and branches, 

 will be found at the commencement of the several parts and chapters, in the subse- 

 quent divisions of this work. 

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