THE LEWIS BROOKS MUSEUM. 27 



ence has no foundation if the order of nature is not con- 

 stant, but may be perpetually interfered with. 



Of course no man, imbued with the true scientific 

 spirit, can listen to such doctrines. I know that one or two 

 men, honored in science, have given more or less counte- 

 nance to some of the phases of spiritualism. In this they 

 violate the first principles of science. Science cannot pre- 

 tend to deal with any phenomena which may not be re- 

 duced to law. It should not dogmatically deny that such 

 phenomena exist, but should declare that they lie outside of 

 its province. The formation of universal hypotheses — i. e., 

 hypotheses which attempt to bring all related phenomena 

 under one universal law, is a weakness of the scientific mind. 



In the progress of the Science of Geology many univer- 

 sal hypotheses have been formed. At first such hypotheses 

 give great impetus to the study of science, but they end by 

 opposing its progress. 



The true scientific spirit is opposed to such hypotheses. 

 It aims to discover truth, no matter where it may lead. 

 The upholder of hypothesis is too apt to neglect facts which 

 oppose his belief, and to give undue weight to those which 

 confirm it. Thus the true scientific spirit demands quali- 

 ties of mind well nigh heroic, for few men can sacrifice pet 

 theories with readiness. 



We must not confound the discoveries of science with 

 the hypotheses erected on them. Too many persons forget 

 this distinction, and close their eyes to facts because the hy- 

 potheses to which they give rise are offensive to them. 



Such are some of the advantages accruing to general in- 

 telligence and culture from the study of Geology. We may 

 now examine some of the more special applications which 

 can be made of the science to promote the material welfare 

 of mankind. 



A knowledge of Geology forms the basis of the Science 

 of Agriculture. Lithology, one of the departments of Ge- 

 ology, teaches the structure and composition of rocks. 



