# A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

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THE
CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA.
​"Homo, naturæ minister et interpres, tantum facit et intelligit quantum de naturæ ordine re vel mente observaverit: nec amplius scit aut potest."
Bacon, Novum Organum, Aphor. 1.
Man, as the minister and interpreter of nature, is limited in act and understanding by his observation of the order of nature: neither his knowledge nor his power extends farther.
THE
CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA.
conducted by the
REV. DIONYSIUS LARDNER, LL. D. F. R. S. L. & E. M. R. I. A. F. R. S. Ast. F. L. S. F. Z. S. Hon. F. C. P. S. &c. &c.
assisted by EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
Natural Philosophy.
A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE
on
THE STUDY OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.
by
J. F. W. HERSCHEL, ESQ. M. A. of St. John's College, Cambridge.
LONDON:
printed for
LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,
paternoster-row;
AND JOHN TAYLOR,
Upper Gower Street.
1831.
PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE
on the Study of
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY
JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM HERSCHEL, ESQ. A. M.
Late Fellow of S$^t$ John's College, Cambridge &c. &c. &c.
| H. Corbould del. | E. Finden sculp. |
NATURÆ MINISTER ET INTERPRES.
London:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN & GREEN: PATERNOSTER ROW; AND JOHN TAYLOR, UPPER GOWER STREET 1830.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Of the general Nature and Advantages of the Study of the Physical Sciences.
CHAP. I.
CHAP. II.
CHAP. III.
PART II.
CHAP. I.
CHAP. II.
CHAP. III.
CHAP. IV.
CHAP. V.
CHAP. VI.
CHAP. VII.
PART III.
Of the Subdivision of Physics into distinct Branches, and their mutual Relations.
CHAP. I.
CHAP. II.
CHAP. III.
CHAP. IV.
CHAP. V.
CHAP. VI.
INDEX.
"In primis, hominis est propria veri inquisitio atque investigatio. Itaque cum sumus negotiis necessariis, curisque vacui, turn avemus aliquid videre, audire, ac dicere, cognitionemque rerum, aut occultarum aut admirabilium, ad benè beatéque vivendum necessariam ducimus;—ex quo intelligitur, quod verum, simplex, sincerumque sit, id esse naturæ hominis aptissimum. Huic veri videndi cupiditati adjuncta est appetitio quædam principatûs, ut nemini parere animus benè a naturâ informatus velit, nisi præcipienti, aut docenti, aut utilitatis causâ justè et legitimè imperanti: ex quo animi magnitudo existit, et humanarum rerum contemtio."
Cicero, de Officiis, Lib. 1. §13.
Before all other things, man is distinguished by his pursuit and investigation of truth. And hence, when free from needful business and cares, we delight to see, to hear, and to communicate, and consider a knowledge of many admirable and abstruse things necessary to the good conduct and happiness of our lives: whence it is clear that whatsoever is true, simple, and direct, the same is most congenial to our nature as men. Closely allied with this earnest longing to see and know the truth, is a kind of dignified and princely sentiment which forbids a mind, naturally well constituted, to submit its faculties to any but those who announce it in precept or in doctrine, or to yield obedience to any orders but such as are at once just, lawful, and founded on utility. From this source spring greatness of mind and contempt of worldly advantages and troubles.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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