1 64 General mode of discovering New Truth. 



Of all subjects, the simple sciences of physics, and 

 chemistry, are at the present time, apparently making 

 the most rapid advance, and the chief reasons for this 

 probably are, \st. they treat of facts and principles 

 which can be verified, and 2nd. because the more 

 complex sciences, together with the arts and manufac- 

 tures based upon them, can only improve in pro- 

 portion as they are developed. All the essentially 

 human subjects, such as sociology, politics, morality, 

 religious worship, &c., are in this position, and are 

 probably results partly of the operation of the great 

 principles of nature acting through the body and 

 mind of man. 



The chief method of discovering new truth is that 

 of observation, experiment, and study, and further 

 mental treatment of the results. The most systematic 

 methods also of evolving new truths are those em- 

 ployed by scientific men in making discoveries, and 

 when any person arrives at a new idea, he usually 

 (either consciously or unconsciously) employs them. 



The acquisition of new knowledge must of necessity 

 precede its diffusion. Immediately a new truth, es- 

 pecially an important one, is discovered, its influence 

 begins to permeate the existing mass of knowledge in 

 various directions, causing us to view many of our old 

 ideas in a new aspect ; giving rise also by comparison 

 and inference, and by processes of combination, per- 

 mutation and analysis of ideas, to a multitude of other 

 new truths, usually less important ones, which them- 

 selves also affect previous knowledge in similar ways, 



