The book of nature

Front matter

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HISTORICAL WORKS

Preface

Tux present volume, which is designed to take a systematic, but popular, survey of the most interesting features of the general scIENCE OF NATURE, for the purpose of elucidating what has been found obscure, controverting and correcting what has been felt erroneous, and developing, by new and original views and hypotheses, much of what yet remains to be more satisfactorily explained, derives its origin from the following circumstances :-—

Towards the close of the year 1810, the author had the honour of receiving a visit from a deputation of the Directors of the Surrey Inst- TUTION, founded on what had been antecedently the LEvEr1an Museum, with a request on the part of their Chairman, Dr. Adam Clarke, that he would undertake a department of lectures in that literary and scientific establishment ; with the generous offer of leaving to himself a nomination of time, terms, aud subject. He regretted his inability of acceding to so kind a request at that particular period; but being a little more at liberty not Jong afterward, he readily consented, on a second application by Dr. Lettsom and other Directors; and the ensuing volume contains the course of study he ventured to make choice of; the lectures having been divided into series, and delivered in successive years.

It was his intention to have carried the plan to a somewhat more protracted extent, though the present is sufficiently complete for the outline laid down ; but, though earnestly and repeatedly pressed to proceed farther, or even to go over the same lectures again, an augmented sphere of professional duties compelled him, with much reiuctance, to decline the invitation; and the same cause has prevented him, till the present period, from fulfilling a subsequent request to submit them to the public; though he has always intended to do so as soon as he could find leisure.

As the lectures were delivered from general recollection, though with — the author’s manuscript at hand, it is possible that those who took notes may find a few passages in the present text slightly varied from what was xviii ae PREFACE. uttered at the time. Yet he believes that, upon an accurate examination, such discrepancies will be found but few, and of no importance. |

The Instrrution has had its day, but it set in glory, and had the satisfaction of reaping its own reward. Its proprietary shares, like those of every other literary institution in this metropolis, were soon found to have been fixed at too low a price. And, a difficulty having been experienced in obtaining the consent of every proprietor to an adequate additional subscription, it was wisely resolved, almost from the first, to make a yearly encroachment upon the capital, and to maintain the Institution at its zenith of vigour and activity till the whole of such capital should be expended, rather than to let it live through a feeble and inefficient existence, though | for a longer period of time, by limiting it to the narrow scale of its annual income alone.

To the crowded and persevering audience by which, from year to year, the author had the gratification of being surrounded, many of whom are yet within the circle of his acquaintance and friendship, he still looks back with gratitude; and can never forget the ardour and punctuality of their attendance. It is a lively recollection, indeed, of the manner in which his labours were received, when delivered, that chiefly induces him to hope for a favourable reception of them in their present form.

The progress of time, and the mental activity with which it has been followed up, have strikingly confirmed various hints and opinions which he ventured to suggest as he proceeded, and have introduced a few novelties into one or two branches of science since the period referred to; but the interval which has hereby occurred has enabled the author to keep pace with the general march of the day, and to pay due attention to such doctrines or discoveries in their respective positions of time and place.

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Table Of Contents

SERIES I.

NATURE OF THE MATERIAL WORLD 5 AND THE SCALE OF UNORGANIZED AND ORGANIZED

Lect.