INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE. 691 



life is spent in learning how little is known with 

 absolute certainty. But the time is not distant, 

 when a unity and precision will be given to 

 science, by a luminous arrangement of all its 

 branches and their reduction to the simplicity of 

 established principles, that will render its acqui- 

 sition as delightful and rapid, compared with its 

 former progress, as are the present means of lo- 

 comotion by steam power, contrasted with the 

 slow and laborious methods of travelling before 

 that mighty engine of civilization was invented. 



When it shall be fully understood, that the true 

 method of exploring the head-springs of science, 

 and of resolving the most difficult problems of 

 nature, is to observe accurately, and record faith- 

 fully, all her proceedings, innumerable obscurities 

 will vanish, like mists before the mid-day sun. 

 And there is reason to believe that the partial 

 success of philosophers has been owing to their 

 having attempted too little rather than too much. 

 For if it be true, that all the operations of nature 

 are connected together as one harmonious system, 

 it is obvious that no one of them can be rightly 

 understood without a general acquaintance with 

 the whole : 



" The only hopes for ever doom'd to know 

 A false event, are those that aim too low." 



And if it be true, that caloric is the primary phy- 

 sical cause of all the mechanical, chemical, and 

 vital changes of matter, it follows, that every di- 



