servience to this system; and all science having been thus incorporated with theology, the notion arose, that nothing could be true in any science that was not accordant with. the received interpretation of Scripture, whether literal or hypothetical.*

'If the scriptures,' said sir Humphry Davy, are to be literally interpreted, and systems of science found in them, Gallileo Gallilei merited his persecution, and we ought still to believe that the sun turns round the earth.' And we would add, that those who seek for systems of geology, for instance, in the Genesis of

three sciences that were first learned in the schools, viz., Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic; and the schools in which these sciences alone were taught were called Triviales. The Quadrivium comprehended the four mathematical sciences, viz., Arithmetic, Music, Geometry, and Astronomy.-Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, vol. 2, p. 251, note; and see Dr. Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, p. 63.

* Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, p. 302, note. + Sir H. Davy's Consolations in Travel, p. 141. See some judicious remarks on this subject by Archbishop Whately, Lectures on Political Economy, pp. 30-36.

Moses, are not consistent with themselves, when they acknowledge (as all rational people do acknowledge) the truth of the Copernican system. In the one case, they are guided by a just rule of construction, which, in the other, they reject.

It deserves to be mentioned, as an interesting fact which hereafter will be recorded in the history of science, that, in the year 1818, Pius VII., a pontiff alike distinguished for his liberality and love of knowledge, procured a repeal of the edicts against Galileo and the Copernican system. He assembled the congregation; and the late cardinal Toriozzi, assessor of the Sacred Office, proposed that they should wipe off this scandal from the church.' The repeal was carried, with the dissentient voice of one Dominican only.*

• Lyell's Principles of Geology, vol. 1, p. 99, note, (third edit.) 'Long before this time,' says Mr. Lyell, 'the Newtonian theory had been taught in the Sapienza, and all Catholic universities in Europe, (with the exception, I am told, of Salamanca ;) but it was always re

Another hindrance to the advancement of science has arisen from the habits and regulations of universities and other academical societies. These bodies were the great external means by which that sterile scholastic philosophy was cherished and matured which converted theology and physical science into a subtle system of abstract terms.* Chained down to the dogmas of particular authors, reason submitted to authority; and if any one dared to assert the liberty of thinking for himself, he was branded as an atheist; and perhaps, like Roger Bacon,—one of the most illustrious names in the early annals of science, dragged from his studious cell into

quired of professors, in deference to the decrees of the church, to use the term hypothesis, instead of theory. They now speak of the Copernican theory.

* Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, pp. 9, 86, and passim. In physical science,' says Dr. Hampden, it has been admitted, that conclusions from abstract terms are no valid indications of facts in nature. May we hope, that the time will come, when the like will be as fully and practically admitted in Theology!'-Ib., p. 56,

In

a prison. Now, however, science is no longer called upon to struggle against such attacks; but it must be confessed that, even in modern times, the progress of knowledge has been not a little retarded by the war-cry of innovation. When sir William Blackstone first began to deliver his law lectures before the university of Oxford, an attempt was made to cry him down as an innovator; and in various ways he was made to feel the influence of established opinions. an introductory lecture, which unfortunately has not been published, he thus forcibly and eloquently retorted upon his opponents:'In those scholastic days,' said the learned commentator, 'when the original and inquisitive mind of Roger Bacon was directed to the investigation of Nature's laws, the theological animus conspired against him, and he was accused of holding communion with evil spirits. Upon Upon a particular occasion, when he intended to exhibit some curious experiments to a few select friends, the secret hav

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ing got out, the whole town and all the colleges of the university were in an uproar. Priests, and fellows, and students were seen flying about in every direction, with their gowns streaming behind them, crying out, 'no conjuror, no conjuror." The cry of "no conjuror" resounded from hall to hall, from cell to cell. At a later day, Galileo was condemned by men, whose names are now remembered only as parts of the rubbish upon which the pedestal of his fame is raised. And in our times, there are men who seek to raise the cry of "no conjuror" against me. I tell you, you will soon find out, that these good people are, at least, no conjurors themselves.'*

Another obstacle mentioned by Bacon, (and the last which can be noticed in this sketch,) is, that rare or remarkable phenomena have been principally inquired into; such as are common or trivial, being carelessly

* See Note (E.)