VI 



mist or moonshine which they vilify by the name of 

 metaphysics. But unfortunately for such opinions 

 the fact is constantly forced upon the attention of 

 scientists of every description, that the agent by 

 which they examine matter is more than matter, 

 and that this agent, whatever be its substance, asserts 

 its prerogatives to determine the conceptions 

 which the scientist forms of matter as well as to 

 the methods by which he investigates material pro- 

 perties. Even the positivist philosopher who not 

 only denounces metaphysics as illegitimate, but also 

 contends that the metaphysical era of human in- 

 quiry, has in the development of scientific progress 

 been outgrown like the measles, which is expe- 

 rienced but once in a life-time ; finds when his 

 positivist theory is brought to the test that positiv- 

 ism itself in its very problem and its solutions, is 

 but the last adopted metaphysical theory of science. 

 We also notice that it is very difficult, if not im- 

 possible, for the inquisitive scientist to limit himself 

 strictly to the object-matter of his own chosen field, 

 and not to enquire more or less earnestly not in- 

 frequently to dogmatize more or less positively 

 respecting the results of otfier sciences and even 

 respecting the foundations and processes of scien- 

 tific inquiry itself. Thus Mr. Huxley in the first 

 Essay of this Series on The Physical Basis of Life, 

 leaves the discussion of his appropriate theme in 

 order to deliver sundry very positive and pro- 

 nounced assertions respecting the " limits of philoso- 

 phical inquiry," and quotes with manifest satisfac- 

 tion a dictum of David Hume that is sufficiently 

 dogmatic and positive, as to what these limits are. 



