ON THE STUDY OF PHYSICS. 215 



CHAPTER XL 



Otf THE STUDY OF PHYSICS.* 



I HOLD in my hand an uncorrected proof of the syllabus 

 of tliis course of lectures, and the title of the present lec- 

 ture is there stated to be " On the Importance of the Study 

 of Physics as a Means of Education." The corrected proof, 

 however, contains the title: "On the Importance of the 

 Study of Physics as a Branch of Education." Small as 

 this editorial alteration may seem, the two words suggest 

 two radically distinct modes of viewing the subject before 

 us. The term Education is sometimes applied to a single 

 faculty or organ, and if we know wherein the education of 

 a single faculty consists, this will help us to clearer notions 

 regarding the education of the sum of all the faculties, or 

 of the mind. When, for example, we speak of the educa- 

 tion of the voice, what do we mean? There are certain 

 membranes at the top of the windpipe which throw into 

 vibration the air forced between them from the lungs, thus 

 producing musical sounds. These membranes are, to some 

 extent, under the control of the will, and it is found that 

 they can be so modified by exercise as to produce notes of 

 a clearer and more melodious character. This exercise we 

 call the education of the voice. We may choose for our 

 exercise songs new or old, festive or solemn; the education 

 of the voice being the object aimed at, the songs may be 

 regarded as the means by which this education is accom- 

 plished. I think this expresses the state of the case more 

 clearly than if we were to call the songs a branch of edu- 

 cation. Regarding also the education of the human mind 

 as the improvement and delvopment of the mental faculties, 

 I shall consider the study of Physics as a means toward the 

 attainment of this end. From this point of view, I degrade 

 Physics into an implement of culture, and this is my de- 

 liberate design. 



The term Physics, as made use of in the present 

 Lecture, refers to that portion of natural science which lies 

 midway between astronomy and chemistry. The former 

 indeed, is Physics applied to " masses of enormous weight," 



*From a lecture delivered in the Royal Institution of Great Britain 

 in the spring of 1854. 



