52 Imi)orta7ice of general and scientific Knowledge 



provements in their art. We are well aware that some depart- 

 ments of knowledge are more attriictive to some minds than they 

 are to others. It is, no doubt, well that such is the case; as a person, 

 to excel, must have his mind principally directed to one channel 

 of investigation. But we do not consider that on this account 

 we have any right to praise one branch of science, and despise 

 another as unworthy of our notice. If one department of 

 science appears more wonderful than another, it will generally 

 happen because we are not equally acquainted with both. The 

 true philosopher, while he considers no science to be utterly 

 beyond the grasp of his intellect, likewise considers none to be 

 below or unworthy of his notice. He finds as much to excite 

 his admiration in examining the structure of the humble moss.^ as 

 in contemplating the form of what would be termed the more 

 perfect plant ; as much in investigating the phenomena revealed 

 by microscopic agency, as in soaring amid those sublimating 

 regions brought within his ken by telescopic vision. Still, how- 

 ever, there exists with many an aversion to studying certain 

 branches of knowledge. The reason assigned is, that knowledge 

 which does not bear most directly upon their own particular 

 profession can be of no real utility ; and its only recommenti- 

 ation is, that it may be amusing. This opinion is founded upon 

 the plausible reason, that, as it takes a man a lifetime to arrive 

 at anything like perfection in any of the sciences, it follows thai, 

 if he divide his attention and energies to the pin^suit of different 

 sciences, instead of arriving at perfection in one, he will not 

 reach mediocrity in any. To such an argument we accede this 

 much, that, when an individual pursues every branch of know- 

 ledge with equal ardour, he may render himself a cyclopa?dia of 

 the knowledge acquired by others ; but, unless in cases of extra- 

 ordinary superiority of intellect, he will not be the originator of 

 any discoveries himself. At the same tim€, we are fully con- 

 vinced that no individual will arrive at eminence in any science, 

 without being acquainted with those intimately connected with it. 

 So waved and indefinite, indeed, is the line of demarcation be- 

 tween the dillerent sciences, that it is impossible to say where 

 one should end, or where another should commence. So de- 

 pendent, too, are they upon each other, that, before we can study 

 one science with advantage, we must possess a general accjuaint- 

 ance with several others. This must have been acted upon 

 before any science could have arrived at its present advanced 

 position. What, for instance, would astronomy have been, if 

 the mind of a Newton had not been assisted and directed by a 

 comprehensive acquaintance with the science of mathematics ? 

 What woidd the art of navigation be, but for the aid of astro- 

 nomy and magnetism? Where, again, would our steam-engines 

 have been, if the discovery of an Arkwright had not been jm- 



