PT. i. Astronomy and Geology compared. 13 



flings himself purely at hazard into the bosom of 

 nature, and by accident discovers some novel secret ; 

 at another time he pursues some already discovered 

 analogy up to fresh results ; he resembles a skilful 

 counsel cross-examining a reluctant witness, and 

 he forces some concealed truth into light by dint of 

 questions, each experiment being a question. By 

 this process most of the great discoveries in the 

 natural sciences have been arrived at. Experimental 

 philosophy did not originate with Bacon, although 

 the name of the system might. Those who first 

 discovered that tin and copper combined produced 

 bronze were experimental philosophers ; those who 

 discovered that a mass of grapes left to ferment 

 produced wine were experimental philosophers, and 

 very useful ones too. This third method of experi- 

 mental philosophy is, in other words, the intellect 

 and energy of Man guiding him to become an 

 intelligent and active agent, producing those great 

 discoveries by which he has obtained such mastery 

 .over the material world. It is the great element of 

 that Progress which we hear so often spoken of and 

 so frequently misunderstood ; its power seems by no 

 means exhausted, and it is quite possible that the 

 energy of Man will add many new discoveries to 



