174 ATTRACTION, 



(e.) Natural science is to be studied by observing facts, and making 

 experiments, and then drawing conclusions ; this is the inductive or 

 Baconian method of reasoning, and is the foundation of legitimate 

 theory. An experiment is nothing but the exhibition of a fact. 



(f.) Hypotheses may be introduced in the absence of true theory 

 founded on induction ; but they can be admitted only provisionally, 

 until something better can be done.* 



(g.) We will add from Sir Isaac Newton, that, " ive are to admit 

 no more causes of natural things, than such as are both true and suffi- 

 cient to explain their appearances." 



( h.) " Therefore, to the same natural effects we must, as far as 

 possible, assign the same causes."^ 



(i.) The range of human reason is the whole extent of second 

 causes. 



(j.) The final reason of a particular law is sometimes discovered 

 by us, and always magnifies the author. The unvarying proportion 

 of oxygen gas in the atmosphere ; and the means by which it is pro- 

 bably sustained ; the exception in the expansion of water between 32 

 and 40 ; the phosphorescence of marine animals and of fish gener- 

 ally in the ocean, and the circulation of fluids and of aeriform bodies 

 in currents to equalize temperature, are striking instances among mul- 

 titudes that might be adduced. f 



(k.) The moral effect of physical study upon every mind which has 

 been correctly disciplined, is altogether happy, and augments the vigor 

 of every proper feeling. It is not, however, to be denied, that an op- 

 posite effect is sometimes produced upon certain minds ; but this is 

 the fault of the individual and not of the study. Even moral study 

 sometimes produces the same effect. 



(/.) The greatest mental power and the longest life, joined with 

 the greatest industry, can enable man to compass only a small part of 

 universal knowledge. Of this, the wisest and the greatest men are 

 the most sensible. Newton was not more distinguished for his vast 

 powers and acquirements, than for his singular modesty. The im- 

 portant suggestions at the end of his optics are in the form of queries. 

 The whole amount of the knowledge of such a man, compared with 

 all that a savage knows, is indeed great ; but, compared with univer- 

 sal knowledge, it is an evanescent point. 



II. APPARATUS AND OPERATIONS. 



Under the head of apparatus, we include all the instruments and 

 utensils employed in chemical experiments. An experiment being, 

 (as already observed,) only the exhibition of a fact, we want such 



* See Lord Bacon's Novum Orgaiium, and Do Augment. Scientiarum. 

 i Principia, Vol. II, Ed. 1803. t See Paley's Natural Theology. 



