A
COURSE OF LECTURES
AND the
MECHANICAL AHTS.
LECTURE I.
INTRODUCTION.
J.T is to be presumed, that most of those who honour the theatre of theRoyal Institution with their attendance, are already acquainted with the na-ture of the objects which its founders and promoters have been endeavouringto attain: yet it appears to be by no means superfluous, that I should definewith accuracy my own views of the utility that is likely to he derived fromit, and of the most effectual means of accomplishing its purposes; in orderthat we may be able to distinguish, without difficulty, the most eligible trackfor our common progress through the regions of science; and that those whoare desirous of accompanying me in the journey, may know precisely whatroute we are to follow, and what departments will more particularly arrestour attention.
Societies, which are merely literary and philosophical, have in generalprincipally proposed to themselves, to enlighten the understanding by thediscovery of unknown phenomena, and to exercise the reasoning powers, by
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