imposed upon by the misrepresentations of crafty Jesuitism, or the declamations of blind fanaticism. To expose such mischievous errors is one main object of the ensuing pages. But it is to be hoped that this state of things may not continue. It is to be hoped on every account, for the sake of society itself, as well as of science; for the sake of the general intellectual improvement of mankind, as well as of the encouragement of research; and above all, for the sake of the moral and religious influence which true science never can fail to secure as affording the sole rational foundation of natural theology, and by consequence of all further religious truth. And if, as indeed there seems abundant promise may before long be the case, the course of public opinion shall take a direction in accordance with the just claims of physical science, how infinitely more pernicious will it be that this absurd and unhappy hostility should be cherished and kept up, on the part of those who ought to be the ministers and disseminators of truth. To expose, then, such mischievous errors as those just adverted to, to explain the real bearing of physical science, and vindicate its essential services to natural theology, and in its consequences to revealed religion also, forms a main object of my discussion. The attainment of this object requires a closer examination into some of the first principles of the subject, to which too little attention has hitherto been paid, and this brings us into close connexion with the essential nature of the great rules of induction, as established and explained by their illustrious propounder: and more especially as contrasted with the sources of false philosophy, and erroneous theory, which he has happily designated and classified under the name of "Idola;" (the false divinities which the mind is apt to raise as the objects of its worship, and at whose shrine truth is often sacrificed ;)-a portion of his argument, which is found more full of valuable instruction, the more extensively it is examined and applied. THE EVIDENCE AND NATURE ОР PHYSICAL TRUTH. I. EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL TRUTH. THE INDUCTIVE METHOD. II. NATURE OF PHYSICAL TRUTH. CAUSE AND EFFECT. SECTION I. EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL TRUTH. THE INDUCTIVE METHOD. "There is a certain analogy, constancy, and uniformity, in the phenomena or appearances of nature, which are a foundation for general rules; and these are a grammar for the understanding of nature, or that series of effects in the visible world, whereby we are enabled to foresce what will come to pass in the natural course of things.” BISHOP BERKELY, (Siris, p. 120.) "Usque adco natura, una eadem semper atque multiplex, disparibus etiam formis, effectus pares, admirabili quadam varictatum simplicitate, conciliat." SCARPA. Introduction. THE Inductive Philosophy stands forth as the distinguishing boast of modern intellectual advancement, and the prolific source of innumerable advantages, mental, moral, and physical. It has opened the path now universally recognised as alone leading to the correct interpretation of nature; of that stupendous order of varied existence, and incessant activity of causation, with which we are surrounded and filled. It is justly characterized as a method framed in conformity to experience; and stands essentially opposed to those artificial systems of former ages, which were but the vain chimeras of minds bewildered in the obscurities of verbal mysticism, or deluded by the conceits of gratuitous hypothesis; systems which cramped all energy of thought |