58 THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE n 



bequeathed by their scientific forefathers, but to 

 pass on to their successors physical truths of 

 a higher order than any yet reached by the 

 human race. And if they have succeeded as 

 Newton succeeded, it is because they have sought 

 truth as he sought it, with no other object than 

 the finding it. 



I am conscious that in undertaking to give even 

 the briefest sketch of the progress of physical 

 science, in all its branches, during the last half- 

 century, I may be thought to have exhibited more 

 courage than discretion, and perhaps more pre- 

 sumption than either. So far as physical science 

 is concerned, the days of Admirable Crichtons have 

 long been over, and the most indefatigable of hard 

 workers may think he has clone we'll if lie has 

 mastered one of its minor subdivisions. . Never- 

 theless, it is possible for any one, who has familiar- 

 ised himself with the operations of science in one 

 department, to comprehend the significance, and 

 even to form a -meral estimate of the value, of 

 the achievements of specialists in other depart - 

 inn 



Nr is then- any lack either of guidance, OT of aids 

 Lorance. IJy a happy chance, ih<' firsl edition 



of Whewell's " History of (lie Inductive Sciences" 

 Mililish.'d in |s:>7. and it affords a very useful 



be commencement 

 of th ;ii rpocli. As to subsequent events, 



