38 COSMOS. 



results of observation, which is so much the more difficult to 

 shake, as it denies the vahdity of the facts by which it may 

 be refuted. This empiricism, the melancholy heritage trans- 

 mitted to us from former times, invariably contends for the 

 truth of its axioms with the arrogance of a narrow-minded 

 spirit. Physical philosophy, on the other hand, when based 

 upon science, doubts because it seeks to investigate, distin- 

 guishes between that which is certain and that which is mere- 

 ly probable, and strives incessantly to perfect theory by ex- 

 tending the circle of observation. 



This assemblage of imperfect dogmas, bequeathed by one- 

 age to another — this physical philosophy, which is composed 

 of popular prejudices — is not only injurious because it perpet- 

 uates error with the obstinacy engendered by the evidence of 

 ill-observed facts, but also because it hinders the mind from 

 attaining to higher views of nature. Instead of seeking to 

 discover the mean or medium point, around which oscillate, 

 in apparent iiidependence offerees, all the phenomena of the 

 external world, this system delights in multiplying exceptions 

 to the law, and seeks, amid phenomena and in organic forms, 

 for something beyond the marvel of a regular succession, and 

 an internal and progressive development. Ever inclined to 

 beheve that the order of nature is disturbed, it refuses to rec 

 ognize in the present any analogy with the past, and, guided 

 by its own varying hypotheses, seeks at hazard, either in the 

 interior of the globe or in the regions of space, for the cause 

 of these pretended perturbations. 



It is the special object of the present work to combat those 

 errors which derive their source Irom a vicious empiricism and 

 from imperfect inductions. The higher enjoyments yielded by 

 the study of nature depend upon the correctness and the depth 

 of our views, and upon the extent of the subjects that maybe 

 comprehended in a single glance. Increased mental cultiva- 

 tion has given rise, in all classes of society, to an increased de- 

 sire of embellishing life by augmenting the mass of ideas, and 

 by multiplying means for their generalization ; and this sen- 

 timent fully refutes the vague accusations advanced against 

 the age in which we live, showing that other interests, be- 

 sides the material wants of life, occupy the minds of men. 



It is almost with reluctance that I am about to speak of a 

 sentiment, which appears to arise from narrow-minded views, 

 or from a certain weak and morbid sentimentality — I alludo 

 to thejTear entertained by some persons, that nature rnay by 

 degrees lose a portion of the charm and magic of her power. 



