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No. 4m. Jakttart 15, 1859.1 IBE LEAlEB,;...
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REDMARSH RECTORY. Redniarsh Rectory. A T...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Application And Language Of Science....
last discoveries ; and , as far as methodology and nomenclature are concerned , large room and provision are by i t made for the orderly garnering of new truths in the repertory of human knowledge .
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 or the leading doctrines of chemistry by each chemist in his laboratory , and by the case of astronomy , where in observatories the consequences of theories are habitually compared with the results of observation , and where tables , " t were , challenge nature to deny the truth of discoveries . " The processes occupying this period of the history of each great discovery lie appropriately designates " the sequel of the epoch . " In a second aphorism , he adds that
and its accompanying comment , sometimes further observations , instead of verifying , supply corrections of the constants involved ^ in theories , and sometimes \ additions to theories . The extension of well-established theories to the explanation of new facts is appositely exemplified by Laplace ' explanation , by the doctrine of universal gravitation , of the cycle , among the perturbations of Jupiter ' s satellites , observed by Bradley and Wargcniinc , and by them unaccounted for , and by the adduction by Lagraugc of mechanical principles as explanatory of the coincidence of the nodes of the moon ' s equator with those of her orbit . From optical , electrical , magnetical , and chemical science he adduces other instances of " felicities of this kind . "
While 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 , theair-pump , the safetylamp , the diving-bell , thc ~ 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 the blind gropings of mere practical habit . The fourth and last book on the " Language of Science " is rich in new matter . Technology and terminology are expounded fully in their origin , growth , ana the consideration of the rules by which
an effectual and substantial method of scientific discovery The advances which have , during the last three centuries , been made in the p hysical sciences--in Astronomy , in Physics , in Chemistry , in NaturaLH . storv in Physiology —these are allowed by all to be real ' to lie 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 com 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 sliow 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 the 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 Nocum Organon Jtenovalum to the IJovuni Organum is simply this : Bacon , with little previous help , necessarily , therefore , suggesting the further course of science provisionally and conjecturally , but nevertheless standin " upon the just dogmatism built tip 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
spirit of the new philosophy of patience and search-Successive generations 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 met hod . Each brings to the great emporium of scientific truth and methodical arrangements his own genius and trophies . Seated in . this central and commanding , observatory , Dr . Whewell applies each science ana its varied steps marked out by Bacon ' s precepts , since Bacon ' s time ,. to the text of the Noviim Organum , 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 journey made by its sister
inquiries . Most tempting is it to enlarge in this vein ; to compare the position of science as surveyed by Bacon and Whewell ; to contrast the special aptitude of each of the men for the special requirements of the self-chosen cosmical 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 HunibolcU ' s Cosmos Such a treatment of the theme would be admissible if the volume before us were a first edition , and if
they can be made most clear and expansive , as new facts and new ideas require new ww and new terms . Here we can do nothing more than give the stimnuifas tigia remm . A sketch 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 fixiug their meaning ( as sphere , plane , rhombus ) , by constructing terms containing their description ( as qiuulraugle , polygon } , and by constructing terms contaiuiug 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 the modern period of science .
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 Induct toe Sciences is divided by its author into three parts—the "History of the Sciences , " the "History of Seicntificldeas , " and that now before us , now published , like the others , in a separate and compact form , on the " Methods of Scientific Discovery . " The first hus regard to tho facts of Science ; tho second contains the history of those ideas b y which such facts are turned into Theories ; the third ( the Novum Organon R < > nova turn )
Here the universality of Dr . Wlicwcll's acquaintance with the cosmos of scientific truth be * comes 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 consists of a successive application to a number of sciences sufficient to represent the wholo , of tho most summary and precise rules for the rendering of language , to
furnishes tho rules and methods by which facts may be gathered and treasured , classified under their respective unity-giving ideas , ami by which men may stand upon the two genoral truths thus gained , and attract to their vantage ground now Incts , unclassified elso and unprolifio 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 principal processes by which Soionoo 13 oonstruotcd' —the
oxpliits utmost capacity , serviceable for tho purposes of arrangement and progression . Hero Bacon ' s method of aphorisms , adopted by Dr . Whewcll , all through his great work , is most ' largoly made use of . By it a clearness and compactness aro given to tho rapid journey from field to field of science , otherwise hopelessly impossible Ami the roadcr , oven of moderate capacity and scientific attainment , is enabled to scizo ana hold in his mind a clear idea of
cation of conceptions and tho oolligation of factstreats in minute detail the historical progress of Soionce , the use of definitions , of axioms , so-culled aooiaontal discoveries , invention as a part of induouort , the use and tests of hypothosos , tho logiq of induction , tho laws of phenomena and of causes , t ;» o relations of art . and soionoo , and tho olassifioutip . 11 of science . A furbhor book on " Methods om-Ployod in the Formation of Soionoo" compares and « xos tho modes of progression in tho various poi enoos , and disoussos at length mothpus 61
tho broad rules on whioh a correct ; nomenclature ( anil through this , a correct classification ) of science rests . Of tho additions to this part of the Philosophy of tho Ttidttctivo / Sciences wo ' own only , in oonolusion , say that thoy were-called for ; 1 lint tho progress of soionoo in various directions , siuoo tho first publication of tho work , roquirod its extension and amnlifloafion ; that tho now void has boon amply filled ? that this now organ ofscienco is fairly abroast of its
No. 4m. Jakttart 15, 1859.1 Ibe Lealeb,;...
No . 4 m . Jakttart 15 , 1859 . 1 IBE LEAlEB , ; : , 75
Redmarsh Rectory. Redniarsh Rectory. A T...
REDMARSH RECTORY . Redniarsh Rectory . A Tale of Life . By Nona 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 . his < 3 race the late Duke of Wellington , " with an episodical story dovetailed into the work , we suspect , for the sake of the letters ; as neither story nor letters have any very legitimate connexion with the tale , and might have 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 figure in the various tableaux is Edward Sidney , a parson by compulsion , the matter having been planned and settled by his parent , Colonel Sidney , in infancv . Edward Sidney shows neither moral nor religious fitness for his serious vocation . At college he runs into debt and dissipation to such an extent as to plunge his father into serious pecuniary embarrassments . His father dies— -he continues his collegiate peccadilloes , adding to them the larger vice of gambling . This completes the ruin of his early 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 meeting with a friend who informs him that his college debts are paid and that he 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 , and is reduced at one time to such distress" as to attract the casual notice of a charming voung lady in the street , who compassionately presents him with half a sovereign . During these two years Edward Sidney thus amuses himself : —
He maintained himself by writing for periodicals—rpoetry ,, essays , stor ies , & c : ; but his views of life were so unpractical , and his style so obscure , that it fared but badly with him . , The literary young lady , lazily turning over the leaves of the hipjhlv-decorated periodical , would say-r" Here is " another story by Edward Sidney ; it is very pretty , but so exceedingly unreal . " Dear lady , 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 gam his scanty bread ? the stifling heat of the garret whore 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 carriages , and the prowling eat , to break the dull monotony of his life?— -day by day , week by week , the same unvarying round of want and care . Now this is a fanciful picture , drawn rather from imagination and stereotyped representations of . the miseries of ( 3 rub-street authors , than from faot . Our own experience of this class of literary drudges , and it is tolerably cxtciisive , tends to the impression that although , writers for periodicals , & c , become by no means Rothschilds in a pecuniary point of view , yet they do somehow contrive to rub on with tolerable oomfort , and to pass through
life mthor jollily than otherwise This , however , by the way . Some heaven-born rioh relative , at tlto verv nick of time , leaves Edward Sidney a legnoy bf 4000 / . Edward Sidney theroupon returns to college and takes orders , whioh brings him to Rodmursh in tho capacity of ourato . Horc the interest and purposo of the novel commence . The inmulos of Rodmursh lleotory are tho Roetor , Mr . Berosfortl , a very plonsaut , very orthodox soil ; of personage , and his daughter Laura—a Hobe in person , a veritable Chuvch of Ifingliuul parson m petticoats , and tho' donor of tho eleemosynary half-guinea . Sir JTehr . v LovcFI , a wealthy neighbour , plain and honourable , manly and high-principled , is in love with Laura , and stands a fair clmnoo of winning her , until lCdward Sidney oomes , like a dark cloud , to cast ; his unwholosoino slmtlQW
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 15, 1859, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_15011859/page/11/
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