Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-08-28
AMERICAN SYSTEM OF THE SCIENCES

Sentiments Of the Reverend Samuel b. Wyhe, of
Philadelphia, respecting the Classification Of
Science.
4 systematic distribution of human know ledge
founded upon correct principles has long been
desidsrasmn among scientific men. Many attempts
have been made from the days of Pythagoras TO
the present time, both by ancient and modern
writers, to produce accurate classification of
human thought and its objects. Every attempt
Of this kid, heretofore offered TO the weird, has
preve'i utterly unsatisfactory and there have been
many who have considered even the -ctten1ot to
eassit, the divisions anil subdivisions Of chi, extern
awe empire, UIsi1na'y and arrogant. Yet. it
cannot he denied, that, in every department of life
from the most eNsitcd statesman, to ths meanest
pebeian from the most profound philosopher to
tue most isnorant peasant, the advantages of
encouragement are obviously important and
highly desirable.
How extensive is the present mass of human
knowledge How niultiarioos are its qualifications
And though, like mighty river, its origin NAV
have be-n comparatively small, it has by the "a
rious tributary streams constantly pouring into it.
Tgered its channel and swelled into q majestic
2cod, whose progressive and ultimate magnitude TO
pcrse' vii! pretend Go define.
In the present confused state Of hsmaD know
ledge, itrelnres rare talents great facilities for
study; and more than common industry to E7igpV
what is diTed,y h7iosUr. Oar Cyclopedias and oui.
Encyclopedias, agreeaay 10 their etymologi $, ia-
deed present with vast collections of knoiele,Iee
m circIs, huddled together cn ulGsse with but
iiui- regard 10 their natural affiliations; depending
chiefly npor t,e accidental order of Alphabetical
arrangement. Hence ii often happens, that, in
these Systems, fthey deserve the name OF stem,
we find subjects brought together. which differ
from each other tote c@'o. while others are widely
separated, which, notwithstanding, are really united
by the closest natural affinity Thus the U,ird
OF the Student, which ought to be disciplined by in
dusiry to habiual accuracy, is, at every STEP by
neglectng the exquisite harmony aud beautiful en-
tnuity o!nature, in danger of contracting habits Of
loose association OF IDEAS. In this important point,
Art has been so far Il ON contributing to the per-
fectbn Of nature. by "teacaing tie young idea
Ac1v TO shoos - that it often, not emily strength
her alterations, b. the force OF pernicous
habits, but also tiiwsFts her beneficial ten
denotes, by tae CONFEDERATION its vicious infu-
tncc.
But. provided the tree of h1,aian knowlee,ye
we're 90 deiiaeated to tie view Of the Students
mind, that he could clearly recognize its tr7r.k
grand branches, and more minute ram fcGfsons.
shooting upin nstural order, from the root 70 the
topmsst twig, he would have before him System
not only cengenial with the gradual evolution of
MS mental faculties but Also one Of the most per
ftct examples OF tue Analytic and the Synthetic
hrts. When he begins at the root, and asceods TO
TIE most distant brahches, he is almost unconscious
~ but with instructive pleasure, acquiring habit
Synthetic reasoning. In the progress Of his des.
cent lac becomes Infatuated to the important pro.
csssOf Analy 5is--Such system would greatly "a
ciktSte the acquisition Of knowledge aud expedite
tho evolution OF intellect while il would generate
habits Of accurate thinking, and Of consequence
would be- calculated TO eircumscrbe the diversity of
opinions and IN its results would be friendly to The
interests Of Political government, .Horahfy aud
Reiigion.
Such asystern requires more than ordinary genius
"a achieve. Such system, in roy opinion, is that
with which the Hon Judge Woodward President of
the Court il, Michigan Territory proposes 10 exhibit
TO tho pubic. His plan Of the distribution ct hu.
man knowledge, have had the pleasure repeat
edly of hearing him explain, in the presence Of
sorae of the first literary characters in FhiIadel-
pha. J have aiso seen and examined his tables,
containing bis plan Of the classification Of the differ
eDt paris Of human knowledge Like many others,
considered any scheme ot this kind visionary and
the prospects Of US utility altogether chime At
eve.-y step the Judge advanced il the exposition If
his llau. M pr,pldiees we're weakened, and ~
ieugth totally dissipated. Aitera rigorous, I might
even ssy fsrt'siaJg examination Of these Tables,
embracing the principal partof his -Nomenchif,re
could rot help perceisiDg grandeur of concel-
don, . determination Of thought, AID an accuracy
in defining the hounGaries Of the Sciences according
10 their specific characteristics Which had never
h1oie been able 10 recognize in aoy attempt a.
fis nature. desire net, however, hereby to be-
understood IS giving an unqualified appreciation 10
every item oud tenn 10 Judge Woodwsrd's yOeabu-
jarv. No hnr0ap work j. perfect. But have no
bosi,sdon In declaring, that, in my opinion, the
Judges plan is subsfm6ai5 correct that It sp-
any other have ever seen, whether ancient on mo-
deTa-. ti&t is groundwork ~ nougeaisi with na-