ee 
a) St ee 
Staiues of Distinguished Men. 111 
Whether he conversed with theologians, astrologers or scholastics, he al- 
ways took observation and experiment as the basis of his reasoning. If 
Roger Bacon did not invent the telescope, the steam engine, the compass, 
or phosphorus, which have been sometimes falsely attributed to him, he 
has, r. Charles has said, done much more than this, he invented a 
method, the method of experiment, and thus anticipated by several cen- 
turies the system of philosophy which has immortalized his namesake, the 
Chancellor Francis Bacon 
Cournor—des idées fundamentales.—The works of this renowned 
dans les Sciences et dans U Histoire’ Mr. Cournot is known for his math- 
ematical labors, researches upon the calculus of probabilities, the theory 
of functions, the infinitesimal calculus, dc., and also for his works upon 
philosophical criticism. Mr. Cournot has for a long time performed the 
duties of Inspector General of the Studies at the University of France. 
t present he is Rector of the Academy of Dijon, where he employs his 
leisure in philosophical labors of the class mentione bove. : r 
e following are some of the principal topics embraced in this re- 
markable work, viz: 
Of order and form in general—the characteristics of the logical and mathe- 
matical sciences. 
Of the transition from order purely intelligible to phenomenal order— 
@ ideas of time and space.—Geometrical ideas. 
Of Kinematics or general theory of motion.—The idea of types. 
Of the measure of time and principles of the infinitesimal calculus. 
Of the doctrine of chances and of probabilities and their logical and 
mathematical applications. : 
Of the synoptical arrangement of ideas which pertain to order and form. 
@ ideas of matter, mass and inertia. : ; 
— subordination of characteristics and classification of physico-chem- 
ical theories, : . aa 
Of the ideas of unity, individuality, space and type, in their application 
n 
life and organization in general. ; 
e sae Sesto of dhe nate sciences, natural history and natural 
Philosophy. 
Of the mode and conditions of vital action. : : a 
the origin of species and the idea of organic creation, &e. &e. &e. 
uth to some great man, and insists on erecting his omy 
Po very honorable without doubt, may be carried too far. 
east, i 
We begin to u 7 i hich invigorates is be 
nderstand that the science which invigorat ; 
the art which kills, and that it is possible to render service to humanity 
therwise than by shedding human blood. 
