Conservation of Energy 23 



Most of this, though in itself probable 

 enough, must, when scientifically re- 

 garded, be rated as guess-work, being 

 an overpressing of known fact into an 

 exaggerated and over-comprehensive form 

 of statement. Let it be understood that I 

 am not objecting to his speculations, but only- 

 pointing out that they are speculations. 



The conservation of energy is a legitimate 

 enough generalisation : we do not really 

 doubt its conservation and constancy when 

 we admit that we are not yet sure of having 

 fully and finally exhausted the whole category 

 of energy. What we do grant is, that it 

 may hereafter be possible to discover new 

 forms ; and when new forms are discovered, 

 then either the definition may have to be 

 modified, or else the detailed statement 

 at present found sufficient will have to be 

 overhauled. But after all, this is not specially 

 important : the serious mistake which 

 people are apt to make concerning this 

 law of energy is to imagine that it denies 

 the possibility of guidance, control, or 



