FINAL CAUSES. O 



which the mind has cognizance. The phenomena 

 of the universe may be viewed as connected with 

 one another either by the relation of cause and 

 effect, or by that of means and end; and accord- 

 ingly these two classes of relations give rise to dif- 

 ferent kinds of knowledge, each of which requires 

 to be investigated in a peculiar mode and by a dif- 

 ferent process of reasoning. The foundation of 

 both these kinds of knowledge is, indeed, the same ; 

 namely, the constant uniformity which takes place 

 in the succession of events, and which, when traced 

 in particular classes of phenomena, constitutes 

 what we metaphorically term the Laivs of Nature. 

 It is the province of Philosophy, strictly so called, 

 to discover the circumstances or laws which regu- 

 late this uniformity, and to arrange the observed 

 changes according to their invariable antecedents, 

 or causes : the unknown links by which these causes 

 are connected with their respective consequents, or 

 effects, being denominated the poivers of Nature. 

 With reference to phenomena which are purely 

 mechanical, that is, to changes which consist in the 

 sensible motions of material bodies, these powers 

 are denominated forces ; and the intensities, the 

 operations, and the characters of these forces admit 

 of exact definition, according to the qualities of the 

 corresponding effects they produce. It is by pur- 

 suing the method of philosophical induction, so 

 well explained by Bacon, that the physical sciences, 

 which the misdirected efforts of former ages had 

 failed to advance, have, within the last two centuries, 

 been carried to a height of perfection affording just 

 grounds for exultation at the achievements of the 

 human intellect. 



