Objects, Advantages , And Pleasures Of Science.

OBJECTS , ADVANTAGES , AND PLEASURES OF SCIENCE .

INTRODUCTION . IN order fully to understand the advantages and the pleasures which are derived from an acquaintance with any Science , it is necessary to become acquainted with that Science ; and it would therefore be

impossible to convey a complete knowledge of the benefits conferred by a study of the various Sciences which have hitherto been cultivated b y philosophers , without teaching all the branches of them . But a very distinct idea may be given of those

benefits , by explaining the nature and objects of the different Sciences : it may be shown , by examples , how much use and gratification there is in learning a part of any one branch of knowledge ; and it may thence be inferred , how great reason there is to learn the whole .

It may easily be demonstrated that there is an advantage in learning , both for the usefulness and the pleasure of it . There is something positively agreeable to all men , to all at least whose nature is not most grovelling and base , in gaining knowledge for its own sake . When you see

anything for the first time , you at once derive some gratification from the sight being new ; your attention is awakened , and you desire to know more about it . If it is a piece of workmanshi p , as an instrumenta machine of any kindyou wish

, , to know how it is made , how it works , and what use it is of . If it is an animal , you desire to know where it comes from ; how it lives ; what are its dispositions , and , generally , its nature and habits . You feei this desire , too , without at all

considering that the machine or the animal may ever be of the least use to yourself practically ; for , in all probability , you may never see them again . But you have a curiosity to learn all about them , because they are new and unknown . You

accordingly make inquiries ; you feel a gratification in getting answers to your questions , that is , in receiving information , and in knowing more—in being better informed than you were before . If you happen again to see the same instrument or animal , you find it agreeable to recollect having seen it formerly , and to

think that you know something about it . If you see another instrument or animal , in some respects like , but differing in other particulars , you find it pleasing to compare them together , and to note in what they agree , and in what they differ . Now , all

this kind of gratification is of a pure and disinterested nature , and has no reference to any of the common purposes of life ; yet it is a pleasure—an enjoyment . You are nothing the richer for it ; you do not gratify your palate or any other bodily

appetite ; and yet it is so pleasing , that you would give something out of your pocket to obtain it , and would forego some bodily enjoyment for its sake . The pleasure derived from Science is exactly of the like natureorratherit is the very

, , , same . For what has just been spoken of is , in fact , Science , which in its most comprehensive sense only means Knowledge , and in its ordinary sense means Knowledge reduced to a System ; that is , arranged in a regular orderso as to be conveniently

, taught , easily remembered , and readily applied . The practical uses of any science or branch of knowledge are undoubtedly of

the hig hest importance ; and there is hardly any man who may not gain some positive advantage in his worldly wealth and comforts , by increasing his stock of information . The mere gratification of curiosity ; the knowing more to-day than we knew yesterday ; the understanding

clearly what before seemed obscure and puzzling ; the contemplation of general truths , and the comparing together of different things , —is an agreeable occupation of the mind ; and , beside the present enjoymentelevates the faculties above low

pur-, suits , purifies and refines the passions , and helps our reason to assuage their violence . The Sciences may be divided into three great classes : those which relate to Number and Quantity—those which relate to Matter—aud those which relate to Mind

The first are called the Mathematics , and teach the properties of numbers and of figures ; the second are called Naturd Philosophy , and teach the properties of the various bodies which we are acquainted with by means of our senses ; the third are called fntellectual or Moral Philosophy , and teach the nature of the mind , of the existence of which we have the most