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an effectual and substantial method of scientific discoverv The adyarices which have , during the last three centuries , been made in the physical sciences— _ m As tronomy , in Physic ^ in Chemistry , in Natural H , story , in Physiology ^ -these are al lowed by ^ all to _ be real to be great , to be striking ; may it not be that the steps of progress in these different cases have in them ' something alike ? May it not be that in each advancing movement of such knowledge there is some common principle , some common process ? May it not be that discoveries are made by an organ which has something uniform in its working ? If we can show that this is so , we shall have the New Organ , which Bacon aspired to construct , renovated according to our advanced , position and office .
We have quoted these sentences thus fully , convinced that space would be best economised by allowing the author fully to express tlie scope of the book , and thus to save the necessity of our own explanation and comment , necessarily less summary and concise . The relation of the Novum Organon Renovation to the Novum Organum is simply this : Baeoii , with little previous help , necessarily , therefore , suggesting the further course of science provisionally and conjecturally , but nevertheless standing upon the just dogmatism built up for him as a foundation by faith in the universal applicability of his method and practical experience , in experimental fields , of its .-efficacy , sends forth a crowd of investigators into the varied domains of nature , each more or less having imbibed and bearing with him the search
spirit of the new philosophy of patience and , Successive generation ' s : and bands of them pursue each their respective paths , into territories various , but mapped out by the same chart , subject to the same rule , and to be inquired into by the same method . Each brings to the great emporium ol scientific truth , and methodical arrangements his own genius and trophies . Seated in this central and commanding observatory , Dr . Whewell applies each science and its varied steps marked out by Bacon ' s precepts , since Bacon ' s time , to the text of the Novum Orr / amim , and declares in what measure its detailed rules and precepts are made good by their practical application , in what degree they must be-modified and recast , and what is the reciprocal light shed upon the further progress of each respective science by the jo-urncy made by its sister
inquiries . Host tempting is it to enlarge in this vein ; to compare the position of science as surveyed by Bacoii and Whewell ; to contrast the special aptitude of each of the men for the special requirements of the self-chosen cosinical task of each . Devious but appropriate by-paths might also entice us , such as an estimate of the value and efficacy of such wide and comprehensive views , an inquiry into the mental qualities requisite for the survey , a contrast and comparison of the objects of such works as that now under review and Humboldt ' s Cosmos
Such a treatment of the theme would be admissible if the volume before us were a first edition , and . Dr . Whewell had only just brought his great work before the public . But we have only to chronicle and criticise what is new in the book and meets our eyes for the first time . The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences is divided by its author into three parts—the "History of the Sciences , " thq " History of Scioni i fie Ideas , " and that now before us , now published , like the others , in a separate and , compact form , on the " Methods of Scientific Discovery . " The first 1 ms regard to the
/ acts or bcionce ; tho second contains the history of those ideas by which such facts are turned into Theories ; the third ( the Novum Organon Renovation ) furnishes the rules and methods by which facts may be gtvtherod and treasured , classified undor their respootivo unity-giving ideas , and by which men may stand upon the twogcnoral truths thus gained , and attract to their vantage ground now ( nets , unclassified else and unproliuc of further gains . A . preliminary resumation of aphorisms concerning ideas binds tho third part of the plan to its predecessor , tho " History of Ideas . " A book on
Knowledge , " having rogard to " two pvinoipal processes by which Soicnoo is constructed /'—the explication of oonooptions and the colligation of factstreats in minute dotail tho historical progress of Saionoo , the use of definitions , of axioms , so-oallod accidental disoovories , hivontion as a part of induction , tho U 9 o and tosts of hypotheses , tho logic of inauotion , tho laws of phenomena and of causes , the relations of art and soionoo , and tho olassillcation of soionoo . A , furthor book on " Methods employed in tho Formation of Science" ooiuparcs and uxos the modes of progression in tho various sciences , and discussoa at length methods ol
observing , of acquiring scientific ideas , analyses the process of induction , gives rules for the construction of conceptions , and explains the methods of induction depending on resemblance-. One short chapter , on the "Application of Inductive Truths , " furnishes' a considerable amount of new matter . We can only give , and that meagrely , the general scope of this chapter . Dr . Whewell , starting by an exposition of the verification of theories by further observations and experiments , popularly illustrates his theme by the constant exemplification of the leading doctrines of chemistry by each chemist in
his laboratory , arid by the case of astronomy , where in observatories the consequences of theories are habitually compared with the results of observation , and where tables , " as it were , challenge nature to deny the truth of discoveries . " The processes occupying this period of-the history of each great discovery he appropriately designates " the sequel of the epoch . " In . a second aphor ism , arid its accompanying comment , he adds that sometimes further observations , instead of verifying , supply corrections of the constants involved in sometimes additions to theories
theories , and . The extension of well-established theories to the explanation of new facts is appositely exemplified by Laplace ' s explanation , by the doctrine of universal gravitation , of the cycle , among the perturbations ¦ of .. Jupiter ' s satellites , observed by Bradley and Wargentinc , and by them unaccounted for , and by the adduction by Lagrimge of mechanical principles as explanatory of , the coincidence of the nodes of the moon ' s equator with those of her orbit . From optical , electr ical , magnet ical ^ and nliftmiral science he adduces other instances of "
felicities of this kind . " AVhile candidly admitting that useful arts have as often led science to her discoveries , as sprung from them , he dwells with justifiable pride on such inventions as the weather-glass , the air-pump , the safetylamp , the diving-bell , the balloon , the electric telegraph , the telescope , the photographic arts , and the steam-engine , as improved by Watt , as being directly produced and springing from advances in theoretical science . Such instances are multiplied with most interesting profusion . Thereby he teaches the superiority of the method of improving art by . science , to i ; hc blind ffropinirs of mere practical habit .
The fourth and last book qu the " Language of Science " is rich in new matter . Technology and terminology arc expounded fully in their origin , growth , and the consideration of the rules by which they ean be made most clear and expansive , as new facts and new ideas require new names and new terms . Here we can do nothing more than give the suimn a fastigia rerum . A skeich is given of the growth of the formation of technical terms in the ancient period of sciences , by the three methods of
appropriating common words and fixing their meaning ( as sphere , plane , rhombus ) ., by constructing terms containing their description £ as quadrangle , polygon ) , and by constructing terms containing reference to a theory ( as right ascension of a star , the equation of the centre , of the sun , momentum , reaction ) . Then comes the genesis of systematic nomenclature , terminology , and modification of terms to express theoretical relations , all proper to tho modern period of science .
Here the universality of Dr . Whcwelrs acquaintance with the cosmos of scientific truth becomes apparent ; and all is compressed into due shape , place , and proportion , by a most mathematical unity and precision . To quote or condense would bo impossible . This book oonsists of a successive application to a number of sciences sufficient to roprcsont the whole , of the most summary and precise rules for tho rendoring of language , to
its utmost capacity , serviceable for tho purposes ot arrangement and progression . Here Bacon ' s method of aphorisms , adopted by Dr . Whewell , all through his great work , is most largely made use of . By it a clearness and compactness arc givon to the rapid journey from field to field of science , otherwise hopolossly impossible . And the reader , oven ol ' moderate capacity and scientific attainment , is enabled to seize and hold in his mind a clear idea of
the broad rules on which a correct nomenclature ( and through this , a correct classification ) of soicnoo rests . Of tho additions to this part of the Philosoph y q / the Inductive Sciences wo can onl ' v , in conclusion , say that thoy were called for ; that tho progress of scionoo in various directions , sinco tho first publication of tho work , rcquirod its extension and amp lification } thai , tho now void has boon amply flllml ; that this now organ ol ' scionco is fairly abroast ol' its
last discoveries ; and , as far as methodology and nomenclature are concerned , large room arid provision are by it made for the orderly garnering of new truths in the repertory of human knowledge .
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REDMARSH RECTORY . Redmarsk Rectory . A Tale of Life . By Xona Bellairs . 3 vols . Skeet . This novel is dedicated to the "Squire Of Progression ; " who this mysterious patron may be we profess to be unable to unravel—the nine hundred pages or so affording no clue to his whereabouts . The novel has also the advantage of some authentic letters from " F . M . Ids Grace the late Duke of Wellington , " with an episodical story dovetailed into th ( T work , we suspect , for the sake of the letters ; as neither story nor letters have any very legitimate connexion with the tale , arid might Iiave served as " fillings up " for any other work the writer has written or may intend hereafter to write .
Having cleared the Way thus far , we proceed to give an outline of the story . The most prominent fi gure in the various tableaux is Edward Sidney , a parson by compulsion , the matter having been planned and settled by his parent , Colonel Sidney , in , infancy . Edward Sidney shows neither moral nor religious fitness for his serious vocation . At coir lege he runs into debt and dissipation to such an . extent as to plunge his fat her into serious pecuniary embarrassmeuts . His father dies—he continues his collegiate peccadilloes , adding to them the larger vice of gambling . This completes the ruin of his earl y prospects in life , for the upshot is that he is
rusticated , and his Church prospects for the present blighted . He leaves England—he makes his way to Sardinia—he meets-at an olive gathering a beautiful Roman Catholic peasant , Magdalena—he marries her—he deserts her just as she was about to become a mother on nVeetiiig with a friend who informs him that his college debts are paid arid that lie need no longer fear arrest on his return to England . He does return to England , penniless , and without occupation . He battles with poverty for two years , arid is reduced at one time to such distress as to attract the casual notice of a charming young lady in the street , who com passionately presents him with half a sovereign . During these two years Edward Sidnev thus amuses himself : — -
He maintained himself by writing for periodicalspoet ^ , essays ,, stories , &c . ; but Uis views , of life were so unpractical , and his style so obscure , that it fared but badl y with him . . The literary young lady , lazily turning over the leaves of the highly-decorated periodical , would say— 14 Here is another story by Edward Sidney ; it is very pretty , but so exceedingly unreal . " Dearladj ' , had he told you a tale of real life ,-would you have listened to it as readily . Your eyes are wet with tears over the disappointed loves of his Julias and Marias ; your bosom thrills at the narrow escapes and heroic dangers endured for the smile of a bright eye by his Algernons and Fredericks . What if , instead , he hail told you truth ?
Of weary days and sleepless nights to gain his scanty bread ? tho stifling heat of the garret where God ' s free air never comes- —of days and weeks spent with ., no human voice to cheer him , no sound but the dull , ceaseless roll of enrringes , and the prowling cat , to break tho dull monotony of his life ?—day by day , week by we . 'k , tho same unvarying round of want ami care . Now this is a fanciful picture , drawn rather from imagination and stereotype ^ representations of the miseries of Grub-street authors , than from faot . Our own experience of this class of literary drudges , and it is tolerably extensive , tends to the impression that although writers for periodicals , &c , become by no means Rothschilds iii a pecuniary point of view , yet they do somehow contrive to rub on with tolerable comfort , and to pass through
life rathor jollily than otherwise Tins , nowover , by tho way . £ > omo heaven-born rich relative , at the very nick of time , leaves Edward Sidney a legacy of -1000 / . Edward Sidney thereupon returns to eollego ond takos orders , which brings him to Rednuirsh in tho capaoity of curate . Hero t . ) io interest and purposo of tho novel commence , Tho inmates of Red marsh Rectory arc tho Rector , Mr . IVrcsl ' oril , a very pleasant , very orthodox sort of porsonago , and his daughter Laura' —a Hobo in person , a veritable Church of England parson in petticoats , anil tho donor of tho eleemosynary half-guinea . Sir ITenry Lovoll , a wealthy neig hbour , plain ami honourable , manly and high-pnuoiplod , is in lovo . with Laura , and btunda a fair ohanoo of winning her , until Edward Sidnoy comes , like a dark cloud , to oast his unwholesome shadow
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Tfo . 460 . Jasttabt 15 , 1859-1 THE IiEADM . 75
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 15, 1859, page 75, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2277/page/11/
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