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in reality ( put what interpretation on ft we will ) , is Heat ; conceived as ex isting » p » Tt from the heated body ? Light , independent of the luminous object ? Electricity separated from the electrical body ? evidently nothing but pure Entities , just as much as Thought is , when considered as possess ^ ing an existence independent of the thinking body ; or Digestion when isolated fromthe digesting . body ^! The only difference distinguishing toem from these ancient scholastic Entities is this , that these essentially attract existences | fave beeia replaced by imaginary fluids ^ , wliose corporeity is very equivocal , since , bjr their essential definition , we deprive them of all quaUties capable of characterizing any kind of matter whatever . < Indeed , we do not even leave room for our regarding them as the ideal limit of a gas indefinitely . rarefied ;
The fundamental character of metaphysical conceptions is to look on phenomena as indepeiident of the objects which manifest them , and to attribute to the properties of each substance an existence distinct from its own , "What matters it , then , whether we make spirits or fluids of these personified abstractions ? Their origin is always identical . It constantly springs from that inquisitiveness into the hidden nature of things , which marks , in every race , the infancy of the human mind , and which first inspired the conception of gods , who then passed into spirits , and have finally been transformed into imaginary fluids .
Agreeably to the law of development , Physics had to pass through this transitional stage of metaphysics . Astronomy did the same . There the metaphysical suppositions of Descartes , which were as ably supported as similar suppositions in Physics have been , gave way when the true nature of positive Astronomy was established by the discoveries of Newton . In like manner these metaphysical notions have been driven from the more advanced parts of Physics . No man of any note has , since the days of Galileo , propounded a hypothesis to explain the fall of bodies . But the less advanced parts of Physics , as Light and Electricity , still suffer from this metaphysical influence . They do so from the same causes which affected the others , and will , like them , be gradually emancipated .
Comte next occupies himself with the division of Physics into its principal branches . This division is , of course , based on the degree of generality of corresponding phenomena , on the extent of their complication , their relative states of speculative perfection , and also their mutual dependence . Accordingly , the science of the phenomena of weight ( Barology & $ he calls it , ) ranks . as the first branch by universal consent ; and on the other hand , the science of Electrical phenomena ranks last * The former is most allied to Astronomy ; the latter forms a natural transition to Chemistry . They are at the two extremes of Physics , not only as respects generality and the other qualities just mentioned , but also in regard to their present states of positivity . Between these two extreme terms we have , first , Thermoldgy , next Acoustics , and thqn Optics .. his
Having thus indicated the main points ii ^ genera ) considerations on Physics , I have passed over that portion pf the ground which , from its abstract nature , will have had less interest to minds not specially versed in these subjects , than those which are to follow . Next week we will enter upon Chemistry . *
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PASSAGES FROM A BOY'S EPIC . I . Some thirteen years ago , when yet a boy , I sang of Ariadne and her woes , I sang of Theseus , and the mighty deeds Of men that die and of the enduring gods . "Twas a boy ' s epic and a boy ' s mistake , Yet the kind world that shapes itself to song , And scorns no verse that has a noble aim , May hear and pardon passagps like these . Ariadne and Ph ^ sdra . There was a valley in the Cretan isle , Not far withdrawn from that great labyrinth , Which Da ; dalus , the lord of many arts , Built for the pleasure of the island king . Throughout the valley branches of tall trees Against the watchful sky and wandering clouds In wavering garlands hung , while nearer earth , Through emerald loopholes crept the shadowy gleams Of liquid lustre playing on the leaves . Amid this luxury of light and shade * The moulding hand of nature had contrived A secret bower , w h ere many branches met , And with transparent grass and coloured moss , Had cushioned the white roots of antique trees . A sfl | pt it . was qf cool and greon delight , That ever fair yet now at fairest seemed , For in its sylvan temple it enshrined Two Jovely forms , like marble goddesses . They , arm in arm and hand in hiuul enwreathed , Sat ' silent , till at length low silver tones
Sighed in the air and grew to earnest speech » " O Phoodra ! O my sister ! I have heard . Nor heard in vain thy voice like murmuring brqok Among thick summer leaves ; for I will weep , And sob out all my passion in thine arms . Men say that sorrow will look beautiful . If love but clothe her as wise sculptors clothe Pale marble images , Then let me speak . "
. Ariadne . " Yet gleamed the stars in all the changing skies When first the gates I past , but now the sun Stood on the sea , treading with radiant feet The level billows , while his golden head Looked out of heaven , and to the shouting waves And to the wondering earth revealed the god . The winged clouds that on the morning wait , Paused in their flight , and died for very love
Of him and of his beauty . Then I turned To gaze , and as I gazed I worshipped him . And now amid the odours of the morn , Its odours and its melodies I passed Through woodland ways , where stately trees put forth Their pensile boughs , while all their whispering leaves , By undulations of the sunlight toucht , Rippled and brightened on the morning breeze . Here as I gazed a gorgeous vision rose ! A band of warrior youths , gold-panoplied ,
Stood with uplifted eyes and sung aloud , Praising Apollo . When their voices ceased , The silver-sounding trumpet , far and wide Ran down the breeze , till all the listening hills Gave clear response ; and in each deep recess the spirit of the valley caught the sounds , And with a merry mockery gave them back . Now nearer drew the youths with golden shields From midst of whom , and fairest of them all , Stept one , who thus in gentle phrase began ;
' Our homes , O lady , o ' er the sounding seas In Athens lie , but we for noble ends Have won these shores , and gladly anchoring here Now seek the palace of the Cretan king ; Vouchsafe fair guidance . ' ' Theseus , ' I replied , s The gods that in ambrosial houses dwell Have led thee hither . ' But what more I said , And how I gave the goblet , sword and clue To him , sole champion named , I pass untold ; Untold I leave the many weary thoughts ,
The patience and impatience , hopes and fears Which haunted me until the evening fell . Then to the Athenian strangers wine was served , And song and feast went round in echoing halls , So peace was made with Athens , and long days Dwelt Theseus with the king , till he had seen Our Cretan cities , seen our temples , towns , Our fields and forests , and the lovely shapes Wrought by the wise magician Daedalus , In wood and marble , gold and iron .
. Ariadne continues ,, " Time fleeted and the vernal blossoms fell , In the long grass , and on the level lake , And to the days and to the hours , concealed Amid the thick leaves of departing spring , I told my fancies wild and passionate , From dawn until the taller shadows came ; And when the moon above the mountain top Hung like a silver shield , I lingered still ,
Still mid the solemn pause and dream of night , My spirit travelled , clothed with starry thoughts , Through trackless paths in gleaming worlds remote One day , while buried Ui us in foliage deep , I heard a sudden noise of rustling leaves , And as a child awakes so wakened I To joy and wonder , when the parting boughs A regal shape disclosed , most like that god ,
Wlfo , from the conflict with the giant snake Returned victorious , and from orbs divine Lightened effulgence , while a silent scorn Lay beautiful upon his smiling lip . O Theseus ! O fair Theseus 1 false and fair I He with tho step and bearing of the god Approached j he stood by me j lie clasped my hand He uttered words that wove like burning tire .,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 5, 1852, page 545, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1938/page/21/
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