4

HISTORICAL VIEIV OF THE

sions naturally suggested by well marked differences ofcharacter in the science of different periods; and theseintimately connected with causes which influenced thewhole condition of society in those periods. Thesechief divisions in our subject will be, —

I. The Progress of Science among the Ancients,

II. Its Condition from the Middle Ages till the Timeof Newton.

III. Its Advance from the Discoveries of Newton to thepresent Day.

Under each of these great divisions we shall pursueas perspicuous a description of the physical knowledgeof those times as our limits will allow, and the natureof entirely popular illustration will permit. We shallendeavour to direct the attention of our readers mainlyto those leading researches and discoveries which gavea character to the science of the age, or were remark-able as opening the way to the yet more valuable in-ventions of after times; and as producing the mostbeneficial results on the improvement of the humanspecies in knowledge and happiness. We are, at thesame time, fully aware that there will occur many sub-jects of considerable importance which we shall benecessitated to pass over without such notice as theydeserve; but which could not be adequately discussedwithout entering into details absolutely inconsistentwith our plan. ,