220 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY 



the law of combining weights is intimately connected with this theory ; 

 but they are not identical, but only connected, with it. The law of 

 combining weights is formulated with great ease, and is an immediate 

 consequence of the atomic theory, without it, it is even difficult to under- 

 stand. Data for its evolution existed previously, but it was not seen 

 until those data were interpreted by the atomic theory. Such is the 

 property of hypotheses. They are indispensable to science ; they bestow 

 an order and simplicity which are difficultly attainable without their 

 aid. The whole history of science is a proof of this. And therefore 

 one may boldly say that it is better to hold to an hypothesis which may 

 afterwards prove untrue than to have none at all. Hypotheses facilitate 

 scientific work and render it uniform. The search for truth, like the 

 plough of the husbandman, helps forward the Avork of the labourer, 

 regulates it, and forces him to think of the further improvement both 

 of the work itself and of its implements. 



