COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



of a general science of Molecular Physics, re- 

 garded as a science of vibrations. And in 1843 

 Mr. Joule, by discovering the mechanical equiv- 

 alent of heat, gave to the new science a quanti- 

 tative character. These were the great epoch- 

 making steps, like the steps taken by Newton 

 in astronomy, which founded the science. 1 



It is thus evident that Comte was far from 

 successful in this part of his classification ; and 

 considering the state of science forty years ago, 

 it appears impossible that he should have suc- 

 ceeded. He united phenomena which should 

 have been kept separate, and separated pheno- 

 mena which should have been united. We are 

 now in a position to see that Comte's grand divi- 

 sion of inorganic science must be subdivided into 

 Molar Physics, which treats of the movements 

 of masses ; Molecular Physics, which treats of 

 the movements of molecules and of the laws 

 of aggregation of homogeneous molecules; and 

 Chemistry, which treats of the laws of aggrega- 

 tion of heterogeneous molecules. And we see, 

 moreover, that astronomy is merely the appli- 

 cation of the principles of molar physics (and, 

 in its latest researches, of molecular physics and 



1 [The history of the theory of the Conservation of Energy 

 has been much discussed since this passage was written. It is 

 possible that Fiske would have given, in the light of later re- 

 searches, credit to Mayer for his share in the great generaliza- 

 tion.] 



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