great departments of physical and intellectual science, might naturally suggest to the mind a great variety of important reflections. The writer will not, however, prolong a work, already far too extended for an elementary treatise, by any lengthened train of observations; and the rather as as he is persuaded, that an attentive perusal of the preceding pages can scarcely fail to have produced a conviction of those great moral truths, which he is most anxious to impress on the minds of youth-a conviction founded not on human opinion merely, but on the evidence of facts:- that the causes which have operated, in all preceding ages, to perpetuate ignorance or to impede the progress of knowledge, were, either an undue deference to human authorities, or a disposition to speculate without evidence that every solid and valuable attainment, and even the most stupendous discoveries, are to be attributed to the rigid adherence of those by whom they were made to the processes of induction and experiment - that, great as have been the attainments and discoveries of past ages, and mighty the powers of genius by which they were achieved, there is no reason to imagine that nothing further is to be expected; for whoever pursues the track of inquiry marked out in the present volume, and takes a survey of the history of science, subsequently to the period at which this review terminates, will perceive, that there are vast regions yet unexplored, and still greater developments to be anticipated, as the reward of diligent investigation in future ages;---and finally, that on account of - the present limitation of our faculties, and the necessary imperfection of our knowledge, it becomes us to pursue our investigations into the hidden processes of Nature, and still more, into the profound mysteries of Revelation, with a humble and devout mind; earnestly imploring divine instruction; and joyfully anticipating the period, when "that which is perfect shall come, and that which is in part shall be done away." NN INDEX OF SUBJECTS. N. B. The numbers refer not to pages, but paragraphs. ABSTINENCE, 145, 193. Abstract Sciences, (see Mathematics). Academic Questions (Cicero's), 149. Acta Eruditorum (Leipsic Journal), "Advancement of Learning" (Bacon's), Affinities, chemical, 212, 226, 341. Air, nature and properties of, 102, Air-Pump, invention of, 225, 312, Albertines, sect of the, 237. Alchemy, science of, 212, 213, 226, Algebra, origin of, 33, 202; progress, 206, 215, 246, 256. Algebraists, Arabian, 202 204; European, 215-222; Almagest, Ptolemy's, 88, 89, 205, 207, Alphabetical characters invented, 59. Analytics (of Aristotle), 113, 122, 123, Astronomy, Chaldæan, 15, 16, 18; Chinese, 28; Indian, 33; Persian, schools of, 207, 220, 271. Atheism, Atheists, 146, 386, 387. Attraction, law of, (see Gravitation). NN 2 Automata, 210, 223. Axioms, 136, 305. Baconian Philosophy, 297, 355-371, Barometer, invention of, 310, 312. Calendar, corrections of, 81, 87, 272, Camera Obscura, 225, 317. Categories (Aristotle's), 122, 124, 141, Catenarian Curve, 261, 303. Central Forces, 286, 289, 295, 298, 300, 301, 303, 305, 306. Christian Philosophers, 386, 389. Circle, quadrature of, 72, 76, 254, 260, Classification of Sciences, 6-11; an- Clepsydræ, or Water-clocks, 100, 210, Clocks, invention of, 224. Collision, laws of, 299, 306. Colours, doctrine of, 322, 331, 332, Colures, solstitial, 83. Composition of Forces, 295, 299, 303, Comets, theory of, 16, 17, 80, 221, 271, 280, 283, 285. Conflagration, final, 161. Conic Sections, 72, 77, 78, 203, 221, Constellations, ancient, 16, 28, 79; Continuity, law of, 195, 295, 395, 399. Cosmogonies, 16, 57, 60, 61, 169. Cubation of solids, 254. Curves, nature of, 76, 253, 256, 260, Cycles, 41, 81, 83; Metonic, 81. Cylinder, treatises on, 76, 78, 221. Dæmons, 145, 153, 164, 192. Definitions (in logic), 118, 122, 140. Demonstrations (Huet's and Clarke's), Design of the work, 1, 5, 12. Dialling, art of, 81, 82. Dialogues (of Plato), 119, 152. Differential Calculus, 261, 262, 264, 266, 303, 392. Triangle, 260. Dioptrics, 318, 320, 330, 332. Divisions of the Work, 12, 68, 199, 244, Dynamics, science of, 93, 292-307. |