THE NATDKAL AND THE ARTIFICIAL. 177 



for thought and profitable discussion than because I have 

 anything strikingly original to offer to this learned body Avith 

 regard to them. 



The exigencies of science are so increasing with its 

 ■extension, that it is said now to require fourteen years 

 merely to become acquainted with what is now known 

 in chemistry. The span of life not being augmented, 

 the range of knowledge in the individual is being constantly 

 narrowed as its depth is increased, and multiplying sub- 

 divisions in science are become a necessity, with the unfailing 

 result that the horizon is contracted, and the scientist 

 resembles rather a miner at the bottom of a pit than an 

 explorer of new territories. The philosopher with his broad 

 generalizations is transformed into a specialist of narrow 

 accuracy, who ill conceals his contempt for his former self. 



The " natural " means in its etymology that which is 

 about to be, or that which is so unfailing in its occurrence 

 as to be confidently predicted; being the production of 

 constant laws. What the word means in its use it is 

 impossible to say, the word "nature" being used as a 

 synonym for God in one breath, and for a man's habits in 

 ^another. 



Nature may not be unfairly described as the impersonal 

 deity of many scientists, who invest it with law-giving power; 

 all observed principles of force being called " laws of 

 nature." 



We would, however, to avoid confusion, use the word 

 mainly in its contrast to " artificial," as meaning that which 

 is expected to occur ; Avhereas the artificial is the result of 

 the capricious art or artifice of man. " Natural " may of 

 course be contrasted with " spiritual," and with other words 

 accordingly as we look at some of its many sides; but at 

 present we will confine our attention to its use in this one 

 aspect. It will be necessary, however, to clear the ground 

 as we approach our subject, by a brief consideration of the 

 inorganic and organic world, relatively to which these words 

 are used. 



It has been beautifully said, " God in eternity eternally 

 sees time, space, the universe. In time He sees the finite 

 expression of His eternity; in space He sees the finite 

 expression of His infinity ; Avhile in the universe He sees 

 the finite expression of His being." 



Time and space, however, are merely duration and exten- 

 .sion, they are not ''things" but impressions or projections of 



N 2 



