I 



23 



facts to propositions of a more and more general 

 character. The unknown is brought into the 

 domain of the known, and as this domain increases, 

 not only is the position acquired strengthened, but 

 at the same time rendered more advantageous for 

 the attainment of further extension. Thus the 

 march onwards proceeds, and when some general 

 law of nature — like, for instance, gravitation, the 

 correlation of the physical forces, or, even, with a 

 more limited bearing, reflex spinal action — is dis- 

 covered, a gain is made which, through reflected 

 influence, has the effect of at once immensely en- 

 larging and perfecting the understanding. Truly, 

 it may be said, the explorer by the inductive 

 method does not know whither he may be led. 

 He dedicates himself 



" To unpathed waters — undreamed shores ; " 



and follows simply the direction indicated to be 

 taken by what happens to be revealed. Guided 

 entirely by the facts disclosed by observation and 

 experiment, he brings the instrumental agency of 

 the mind as a reasoning power to bear upon them. 



