366 Dr. Whewell’s Inaugural Lecture 
are only one class out of thirty of the great collection of which 
we are speaking. If, then, so great benefits arise from a common 
‘understanding as to the species of one. of the lowest members of 
our classification, may we not expect corresponding advantages 
rom a fixation of the names and distinctions of the higher mem- 
bers?—of the names of tools and machines, for-instance; and 
from a perception of their relations to each other, which a good 
classification brings into view ; and then, again, from a clear per- 
ception of the relation of class to class and of their lines of de- 
markation? And may we not expect that on such grounds, the 
very language of art.and industry, and the mode of regarding 
the relations of their products, shall bear for ever the impress of 
the Great Exhibition of 1851? . 
There is one other remark which I should wish to make, sug- _ 
gested by the classification. of the objects of the Exhibition ; or, 
rather, a remark which it: is possible to express, only because we 
have such.a classification before us. It. is an important charac- 
Jn looking at these two classes, we may see some remarkable 
contrasts between them. The: first-class of arts, those which are 
employed in obtaining and working the metals, are among the 
most ancient; the second, the. arts of manufacturing chemical 
rig them was, to expel oxygen or sulphur; that combination may 
definite or indefinite. Tubal-Cain, in the first ages of the 
world, was “the instructor of every artificer in brass and iron; 
fi 
it to coil itself up in its sheath when its. rigid thrust is not needed. 
Here art has preceded science, and science has barely: overtaken 
art. But in the second class, science has not only overtaken 
