Chap. I.] Mechanical Philosophy. 91 



a remarkable characteristic of the age, that every 

 branch of natural philosophy has been investigated 

 in modern times, in a more practical manner than 

 it ever had been before, and more extensively and 

 generally applied to purposco of economy and the 

 arts. While the explorers of science have gratified 

 liberal curiosity, and gained reputation for them- 

 selves, their inquiries have been rendered subservient 

 to the abridgement of labour; the increase both of 

 expedition and elegance of workmanship, in manu- 

 factures ; and the promotion of human comfort, to 

 a degree beyond all former precedent. In short, 

 the number of heads and of hands at work, in the 

 various departments of mechanical philosophy, at 

 the close of the century under consideration, was 

 imquestionably much greater than it ever had been 

 since science was an object of human study. That 

 much further, and more satisfactory light, therefore, 

 may be expected to break in upon us, at no great 

 distance of time, on many points at present in- 

 volved in darkness, can hardly be doubted. " But 

 the subject," says an eloquent writer, " is still 

 greater than our exertions, and must for ever mock 

 the efforts of the human race to exhaust it. ^^'ell 

 did lord Bacon compare natural philosophy to a 

 pyramid ; its basis is indeed the history of nature, 

 of which we know a little, and conjecture much ; 

 but its top is, without doubt, hid high among the 

 clouds. It is the ivork xvhich God xcorkclh from 

 the beginning to the end, infinite and inscrutable*." 



* Bishop Watson's Chemical Essai/s, vol, i.- p. 15. 



