INTRODUCTION. 
5 
What, we ask, are these benefits compared with the magic 
influence which lulls the sufferer to sleep and spares him all the 
anguish of a painful operation ? or with the silent messenger 
that speeds from land to land with news of life and death, of 
peace and war, outstripping Phoebus in his course ; or to the 
vapoury element which, when confined and controlled, bears its 
master on his journeys over land and sea like some mighty 
“ Genius ” of the East ; or, in the stillness of night, conveys 
intelligence, borne on the wings of lightning from the farthest 
corners of the earth, and, multiplied indefinitely by this self-same 
power, to the home of eveiy family throughout the length and 
breadth of the land. 
But there is still another lesson of importance suggested by 
the simple story of the farmer’s son. 
He delved with a view to enrich himself alone, but the fruits 
of his toil supplied the wants of many. So has it been with 
regard to science. Had some alchemist been enabled through 
a mysterious process to convert the baser metals into gold, he 
would have amassed enormous stores of wealth, and with them 
hoarded up the secret of their production, and carried it with 
him to the grave. 
But it has been wisely ordained by Providence that the spread, 
of knowledge should be gradual, not only in this, but in every 
other particular ; and the unfolding of nature’s secrets has neces- 
sitated the united efforts of many minds. The principle of com- 
bination, whilst it has lightened the labours of the student, has 
aided materially to enrich our stores of knowledge, and the 
greater the harvest becomes, the more numerous will be the 
husbandmen. The men Avliose avocation it is to penetrate 
nature’s secrets, do not now, as formerly, work alone, secluded 
from the world, and surrounded by mysteries impenetrable to 
the vulgar gaze, as were their ancestors. They vie with one 
another in imparting, not in concealing, information ; and the 
thoughtful sage who spends his nights in study may be seen in 
the broad light of day rambling through country lanes sur- 
rounded by anxious inquirer^ — youths and maidens, the aged 
