PHYSICS OF NINETEENTH CENTURY 159 



The social philosophy of the nineteenth century 

 bore marks of the hopes of the Encyclopaedists for 

 the explanation of the Universe, and of the French 

 Revolution for the regeneration of mankind. Once 

 again immense strides were taken ; once again the 

 forward movement gradually became overshadowed 

 with the certainty of another great disillusionment for 

 those who had mistaken the means for the end. 



Like the Israelites in the wilderness, the modern 

 world cried out to science to make it a golden calf. 

 The golden calf was duly made and greatly admired, for 

 it had its uses ; but it has been found wanting as an 

 object of worship. Meanwhile, new tables of the law 

 are being delivered to the prophets of pure knowledge, 

 and a fresh revelation is forthcoming of the terms of 

 the covenant by which alone it is possible for human 

 nature to fulfil the immediate purpose of its existence 

 in the age now beginning. 



Newton and his contemporaries wrote in Latin. 

 Their works were thus the common property of that 



small section of each nation that under- 

 The 



Popularization stood the ancient tongue sections that 

 of Science. were robabl a kj n to each other in race 



as well as in modes of thought. The very limitation 

 and detachment inseparable from publication in a 

 classical language produced advantages to set against 

 its drawbacks. Science was cosmopolitan ; it was 

 apart from the national life ; but was thereby saved 

 from the dangers of popular interference, and the 

 degradation of popular approval of the material 

 benefits it may confer. 



When we take up the tale once more, in the latter 



