424 LIFE OF DALTON : ATOMIC THEORY. 



a constant regard to it. To the Atomic doctrine especially 

 it is essential, almost as an integral part of the theory and 

 as the sole exponent of the phenomena. We apply the term 

 polarity to various actions of light, magnetism, and elec- 

 tricity, but in reality we know such actions only by the 

 polarities given to the particles of matter upon which these 

 forces act. The whole subject is one of deep interest to the 

 futurity of physical science, and its connection with mathe- 

 matical as well as experimental enquiry is the best security 

 for the truth of every result obtained. 



It is strange, yet nevertheless in accordance with the light 

 and shade of all human things, that while true science is 

 thus embracing in its progress every part of the material 

 world establishing facts, disclosing laws, and scrutinising 

 by assured methods even those actions and relations of matter 

 which are inapproachable by the senses there should exist 

 simultaneously a series of delusions, in which credulity and 

 imposture are closely interwoven ; yet usurping the phraseo- 

 logy of real science, and thus misleading many whose intel- 

 lect in other matters is acute and discriminative. We would 

 fain indulge the hope, recently expressed by one of our most 

 eminent philosophers, that education may in the end provide 

 a remedy against these aberrations ; but we still fear that as 

 long as credulity remains a part of the human temperament, 

 there will never be wanting the agents and materials to work 

 upon it. Our best guarantee lies in the knowledge that 

 follies and impostures are in their nature ephemeral ; while 

 no fact of genuine science can ever disappear, except by 

 merging in some higher and more general truth. 



