CHAPTER X. 



MODERN SCIENCE. 



In the family of studies, science is the Cinderella who hides unknown 

 perfections in obscurity. The whole work of the house has been given to 

 her to do. It is through her skill, intellect, devotion, that we have attained 

 all the commodities and pleasant things of life, and, while she serves others 

 and keeps modestly aloof, her proud sisters display their tinsel beauty to 

 the eyes of the world. 



HERBERT SPENCER. 



IN the preceding chapters a review has been given of the 

 science of the Greek, the Arabian, the Mediaeval, and the 

 Revival periods, which has enabled us to appreciate to its 

 full value the work done in those times. It now behoves us 

 to proceed with the sketch of science in the modern period. 

 This is so vast a subject that no apology need be made for 

 presenting it in an altogether inadequate manner. Insufficient 

 as the presentment of it will prove, it has nevertheless not 

 been undertaken without difficulty, or without a deep feeling 

 of diffidence. Not only does the author acknowledge that he 

 has taken a purview of each branch too restricted in extent 

 fully to satisfy the inquirer, much less the scientific critic, but 

 he is also well aware that he has left out of the list of the 

 masters which follows, many men who stand high in the 

 annals of science. Out of the host of those who have 

 gloriously tilled the field of knowledge, to make a satisfactory 

 selection is scarcely possible. So many have equal claims 

 that to mention them all would be the only way out of the 

 difficulty ; but this being impracticable in a sketch, the choice 

 must be determined by what appears typical originality in the 



