and oppositions of science falsely so called; yet that little, if any thing, has been done toward the cultivation of solid learning and real science, since our fathers of the seventeenth century fell asleep. In the opinion, and in the language of such, the present race of men are "a generation of triflers "and profligates, sciolists in learning, hypocrites "in virtue, and formalists in good breeding; wise "only when they follow their predecessors, and

visionary fools whenever they attempt to deviate "from, or go beyond them." With these cynical critics novelty is degeneracy; and every thing which bears the name of invention, discovery, or improvement, is useless, if not dangerous innovation. But this indiscriminate opposition to the claims of modern times is evidently rather dictated by prejudice than by enlightened views and impartial observation. Though a change of circumstances may produce different degrees or kinds. of excellence in the efforts of intellect; yet the native powers of man are doubtless the same in all ages. It must be admitted, indeed, that in some of the branches of human knowledge the Fast age has added nothing to the attainments of the preceding; and that many things which superficial readers consider as new, were long since familiarly known, and as well practised as at the present day. In works of genius, imagination, and taste, there seems no good ground to represent the present generation as possessing any peculiar or transcendent excellence. Perhaps a candid inquirer would even say, that in these respects we rather fall below than rise above the standards of former times, and for this fact plausible if not satisfactory reasons may be assigned. But still, amidst multiplied false theories, and much pompous. jargon, which have been too prevalent in the world during the last century; though the field of

in Science, Arts, and Letters.

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enterprise, in this department of human exertion, has been more remarkable for the number of labourers employed in it, than for the success of their labours; though luxuriant foliage, more than substantial fruit, has abounded; yet much, within this period, has been done. New and important truth has been elicited: discoveries of an highly interesting nature have been made: systems of philosophy have assumed a more regular, consistent, and dignified form: and various departments of learning have been purged of the dregs, and rescued from the rubbish with which the ignorance and the inexperience of former times had encumbered them.

At the close of the seventeenth century, the stupendous mind of NEWTON, and the penetrating genius of LOCKE, had laid their systems of matter and of mind before the world. Like pioneers in an arduous siege, they had many formidable obstacles to remove-many labyrinths to explore-and the power of numberless enemies to overcome. But they accomplished the mighty enterprise. With cautious, but firm and dauntless step, they made their way to the intrenchments of fortified error; they scaled her walls; forced her confident and blustering champions to retreat; and planted the standard of truth, where the banner of ignorance and of falshood had so long waved.

It cannot be supposed, indeed, that these great men taught nothing but the truth, and far less that they taught the whole truth. They were fallible mortals. They were liable to err. They did err. But their achievements in the respective regions of knowledge which they explored and cultivated, were so splendid, as to command the admiration not only of their countrymen and contemporaries, but of the civilized world, and of posterity. Besides all the light which they in

dividually threw on the departments of science which they undertook to investigate, each commenced, or rendered fashionable, a mode of philosophizing in his particular sphere, equally new, grand, and interesting; and they may be said to have laid the foundation of all the magnificent structures which have been since erected.

TO NEWTON no successor has hitherto appeared. The chair which he left has never since been filled. It is probable no effort of the human mind, to rear a rational and permanent system of philosophy, was ever attended with such a degree of success as that which he made. Certainly no other system ever attained such extensive and undisputed empire in science. It is founded on principles so precise, connected and firm; it explains, with such luminous clearness, most of the phenomena of the heavens which had been observed before his time, as well as of those which the persevering industry, and the more perfect instruments of later astronomers have made known; and instead of being undermined or discredited, has been so remarkably illustrated and confirmed by the labours of subsequent inquirers, that any thing like efficient opposition seems to have been long since given up; and the admiring world appears no longer to hesitate in placing the discoveries of this wonderful genius among the most important that were ever made by man, and among the very few which may justly lay claim to immortality.

And if the intellectual system of LOCKE have gained a sway, less general and potent, than the physical doctrines of his great contemporary; still, perhaps, his genius ought to be considered as but little inferior. What though a few respectable metaphysicians, since his day, have pointed out some errors in his principles, and suggested some valuable improvements in his philosophy of mind?

They were taught by him to think and to reason. They stood on ground which his wisdom and diligence had gained. As long as the human faculties continue to be objects of study, this illustrious man must be considered one of the greatest fathers of knowledge, and his writings as forming a distinguished æra in the history of science.

But though no builders in the temple of science may have arisen to the same rank with those MASTER WORKMEN, whose names have been mentioned; yet many distinguished men, within the period of which we are speaking, have contributed their labours to enlarge, to simplify, to strengthen, and to adorn the edifice, with honourable success. Of these, time would fail us to recount even the principal names. The most general and superficial views only of their laudable achievements can be given.

CHAPTER I.

MECHANICAL PHILOSOPHY.

UNDER this general head is included the whole of that extensive branch of science, "which explains the sensible motions of the bodies of the universe, with the view to discover their causes, to account for subordinate phenomena, and to improve art." In this department of science, the progress of the last century has been astonishingly great. New fields of inquiry have been opened; splendid discoveries have been made; and facts, apparently discordant, have been connected and systematized, to an extent which does signal honour

to human capacity; and which far surpasses what the most sanguine projectors of former times had reason to anticipate. And the paths to yet further improvements in this science are so clearly marked out, that nothing seems requisite but honest industry, patience, and persevering attention, to enable future adventurers to penetrate into regions of knowledge, at present far removed from the sight of man.

Though the Newtonian Philosophy is, perhaps, one of the noblest products of human genius ever given to the world; yet that great interpreter of nature was by no means free from mistake, which besets, and characterizes all human labours.-The errors in this system, which probably, all things considered, were as few as ever mingled themselves with so extensive and important a fabric, were, some of them, corrected by his successors; who, while they could distinguish spots in this luminary of science, yet were not backward to pay due homage to his general and splendid excellence.But, though he had many philosophical adversaries, who called in question his right to the honour of certain discoveries, and who opposed particular doctrines, there were few who ventured to declare war against the leading principles of his system. This however was done by some, respectable both for their learning and talents.

Among these, perhaps none are more worthy of notice than the celebrated JOHN HUTCHINSON, of Great-Britain, and his followers, who occupy a considerable space in the scientific history of the eighteenth century. Mr. HUTCHINSON, dissatisfied with the prevalence of Newton's opinions, and, perhaps, feeling some envy at his extended fame, undertook to disprove the doctrines displayed in his Principia, as opposed to revelation, and, of consequence, false. To effect this, he