1882.] 
Analyses of Books. 
491 
stantly reconcile, and perhaps convert into obvious con- 
currences.” We are here reminded of some interesting specula- 
tions put forward by Mr. W. Crookes, F.R.S., in a memoir on 
“ Gravitation as a Fa(5tor in the Organic World,”* in which he 
shows that our perceptions of external nature and our modes of 
interpreting phenomena are to a very great degree modified by 
our size. 
Mr. Griffith also suggests that “ time has difficult problems of 
its own, perhaps still more formidable than those of space.” 
He continues: — “ There are yet other cases innumerable where 
the antecedent and the consequent appear to run on such 
essentially different planes, that no common data are left us for 
determining the relation in which they stand to each other.” 
The illustration which he seleCtsis not in our opinion either well- 
chosen or well handled, as it would be easy to show did space 
permit. 
As to alleged apparent suspension or modifications of forces, 
he writes, “ Our very definition of a miracle throws it at once 
entirely outside the domain of Science — not in the least as in- 
validating, superseding, or amending any previously existing 
laws, but as springing from the orderly co-working of certain 
higher and more comprehensive laws, the full meaning or value 
of which it is beyond the power of human language to ex- 
press. 
Our author comes now to a consideration of the “ Principles 
and Method of Induction,” in which as also in other portions of 
his little work, he criticises justly — and therefore severely — the 
illusory system known as “positivism,” or “ Comtism.” 
Whilst recognising the value, or rather the necessity of Induc- 
tion, he points out that the utmost discrimination is required in 
arguing from the few to the many. As to the Comtean canon 
of confining ourselves strictly to phenomena, he owns that 
“ speculation (in the philosophic, not in the gambling sense of 
the term) has its dangers, but not to speculate at all is simply 
not to think, or, in other words, not to be worthy of being called 
men.” He further contends and shows by examples that 
absolute perfection of observation is unattainable. “ As all our 
sensations are reactions of mind subsequent to long successions 
of intermediate material changes it is manifest we never can see 
any event exaCtly at the right time, or any objeCt in its right 
place or its right size.” 
Treating of the deduCtive process which the author recognises 
as virtually identified with induction in all successful investiga- 
tion, the two being the “ systole and diastole of logic,” he argues 
that, to end in knowledge, pupils have to begin in faith. Thus : 
— “ To determine not to proceed with arithmetic until you have 
demonstrated or have had demonstrated to you the validity of 
* Journal of Science, 1879, p. 45. 
2 K Z 
