On the improvement of society by the diffusion of knowledge. The philosophy of a future state. The philosophy of religion. On the mental illumination and moral improvement of mankind. An essay on the sin and evils of covetousness

PREFACE.

The plan and outlines of the following work were sketched, and a considerable portion of it composed, about eighteen years ago. It was advertised, as preparing for the press, in 1823, when the author published the first edition of "The Christian Philosopher;" but various other engagements prevented its appearance at that period. The Introduction and the first two sections were published in a respectable quarterly journal in the year 1816; but they are now considerably modified and enlarged. This circumstance will account for the date of some of the illustrative facts to which reference is made in the first part of the volume, and in several portions of the Appendix.

Had the present work been published at any of the periods now referred to, the subject it discusses, and some of the illustrations, would have presented a more novel aspect than they can lay claim to at the present time, when the diffusion of knowledge has become an object of general attention. The author, however, is not aware that any work embracing so full an illustration of the same topics has yet made its appearance; and is, therefore, disposed to indulge the hope, that, in conjunction with the present movements of society, it may, in some degree, tend to stimulate those exertions which are now making for the melioration and mental improvement of mankind. Independently of the general bearing of the facts and illustrations on the several topics they are intended to elucidate, the author trusts that not a few fragments of useful knowledge will be found incorporated in the following pages, calculated to entertain and instruct the general reader.

In the numerous illustrations brought forward in this volume, it was found impossible altogether to avoid a recurrence to certain facts which the author had partially adverted to in some of his former publications, without interrupting the train of thought, and rendering his illustrations partial and incomplete. But, where the same facts are introduced, they are generally brought forward to elucidate a different topic. Any statements or descriptions of this kind, however, which may have the appearance of repetition, could all be comprised within the compass of three or four pages.

The general subject of the present work will be prosecuted in another volume, to be entitled "The Mental Illumination of Mankind, or an inquiry into the means by which a general diffusion of knowledge may be promoted." This

work will embrace - along with a great variety of other topics - an examination of the present system of education, showing its futility and inefficiency, and illustrating the principles and details of an efficient intellectual system, capable of universal application; together with a variety of suggestions in relation to the physical, moral, and intellectual improvement of society.

To his numerous correspondents who have been inquiring after the work, "The Scenery of the Heavens Displayed, with the view of illustrating the doctrine of a Plurality of Worlds," which was announced at page 88 of the "Philosophy of a Future State," - the author begs respectfully to state, that, if health permit, he intends to proceed, without delay, to the completion of that work, as soon as the volume announced above is ready for the press. It will form a volume of considerable size, and will be illustrated with a great number of engravings, many of which will be original.

Broughty Ferry, near Dundee,
18th April, 1833.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION-Retrospective view of the state of mankind-ignorance of the dark ages-

revival of learning at the Reformation. Present intellectual state of the human race.

Causes which have retarded the progress of the human mind. A more general diffusion

of knowledge desirable. Preludes which indicate the approach of the era of intelligence 11

SECTION I.

INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE IN DISSIPATING SUPERSTITIOUS NOTIONS AND

VAIN FEARS.

Objects and circumstances which ignorance has arrayed with imaginary terrors-eclipses,
comets, aurora borealis, &c. Absurdity of astrology. Belief attached to its doctrines.
Various prevalent superstitious opinions-omens-witches-spectres, &c. Proof of such
notions still prevailing. Superstitions indulged by men of rank and learning. Baneful
tendency of superstition-leads to deeds of cruelty and injustice. How knowledge would
undermine superstition and its usual accompaniments-illustrated at large. Animadversion
on Dr. S. Johnson, &c.

SECTION IL

ON THE UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE IN PREVENTING DISEASES AND FATAL
ACCIDENTS.

Accidents which have happened from ignorance of the properties of the different gases, and

the means of preventing them. Disasters which have happened in coal mines. Figure

of Davy's Safety Lamp, with description and remarks. Accidents caused by the stroke

of lightning. Precautions requisite to be attended to during thunder-storms. Accidents

from ignorance of the principles of mechanics. Reasons of such accidents explained by a

figure. Fatal accidents caused from ignorance of the effects produced by the refraction of

light-illustrated by figures and experiments. Accidents from the clothes of females

catching fire, and the means of prevention. Various diseases propagated from ignorance

of their nature. Pernicious effects of contaminated air. Improper mode of treating

children during infancy, and its fatal effects. Importance of temperance. General

remarks

SECTION III.

ON THE INFLUENCE WHICH A DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE WOULD HAVE ON THE

PROGRESS OF SCIENCE.

Science founded on facts. Every person is endowed with faculties for observing facts.
Anecdote of Sir I. Newton. Extraordinary powers of intellect not necessary for making
discoveries in science. Ample field of investigation still remains. Discoveries would

be nearly in proportion to the number of observers. Various illustrations of these positions.

Geology, its multifarious objects and desiderata. Natural History, how it may be improved,

and its range extended. Meteorology, imperfection of our knowledge in regard to many

of its objects,-thunder-storms, aurora borealis, meteoric stones, &c. Astronomy, deside-

rata in reference to, which remain to be ascertained. Illustration taken from Jupiter,

with four different views of this planet. Venus, mode by which the time of its rotation

may be determined-illustrated by a figure. Comets, fixed stars. Moon, plan by which

our knowledge of the scenery of this globe may be extended. Discoveries which have

been made in the heavens by accident. Prospects presented when knowledge shall be

more generally diffused. Chymistry, its objects, and the means of its improvement.

Futility of framing hypotheses-importance of observing facts-general remarks and

reflections

SECTION IV.

ON THE PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH THE PURSUITS OF SCIENCE.

Pleasures of sense and of intellect. The enjoyments of the ignorant and of the man of

intelligence contrasted, and particularly illustrated. Pleasure annexed to the gratification

of the principle of curiosity. Scientific facts illustrative of this subject.-Number of effects

produced by a single principle in nature. Surprising resemblances in operations where

we should least of all have expected them. Grand and sublime objects which science

presents before us. Variety of novel and interesting objects it exhibits. Illustrated from

mechanics, hydrostatics, magnetism, optics, chymistry, &c. Instruments connected with

optics. Figure of the Aerial Telescope. Pleasure in tracing the steps by which dis-

coveries have been made, and the experiments by which they are illustrated. Beneficial

tendency of scientific pursuits on the heart, and on social and domestic enjoyment. Mis-

cellaneous reflections and remarks

SECTION V.

ON THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND ITS TENDENCY
TO PROMOTE THE COMFORTS OF GENERAL SOCIETY.

I. A knowledge of science would render mechanics, &c. more skilful in their respectiv

employments-illustrated from the arts of dying, calico printing, bleaching, brewing,

tanning, agriculture, &c. Chymistry essentially requisite to surgeons and apothecaries.

Utility of practical Geometry, illustrated by a diagram. Utility of Mechanics. Of Hydro-

statics and Hydraulics, illustrated with various figures. Hydrostatical paradox, mode of

conveying water, hydrostatical press, perpendicular pressure of water, and the accidents

it may occasion. Application of these facts to engineering and hydraulic operations.

Disaster occasioned by want of attention to hydrostatic principles. Practical utility of

Pneumatics anecdote illustrative of. Mode of curing smoky chimneys, illustrated by

figures. Utility of an acquaintauce with Optics. Explanation of the nature of a

telescope, and the mode of its construction. Mode of constructing a compound

microscope, with illustrative figures. Burning lenses, Sir D. Brewster's Polyzonal Lens,

reflecting concave mirrors for light-houses, &c., with illustrative figures. Utility of

Electricity and Galvanism. Mode of directing lightning as a mechanical power.
Practical applications of Magnetism, and late discoveries in-Magnetized masks, &c.
Practical utility of Geology. Utility of Natural History. Application of steam-steam
navigation-steam carriages. Carburetted hydrogen gas. Utility of science to day-
labourers, house-keepers, kitchen-maids, &c. Instance illustrative of the advantages
of chymical knowledge

II. Scientific knowledge would pave the way for future inventions and improvements in the arts.

Circumstances which led to the invention and subsequent improvement of the telescope,

with a figure of the first telescope. Fraunhofer's telescope-Guinand's experiments on

the composition of flint glass-Description of an achromatic object-glass, with a figure, &c,

Historical sketches of certain inventions-steam engine-mariner's compass-galvanic

principle-pendulum clocks-watches-air-pump-spinning jennies--safety lamp, &c.

Few inventions owing to chance. Cautions to be attended to in the construction and use

of the safety lamp. Mechanics have a greater chance of becoming inventors than mere

philosopners. Prospects of improvement in future ages

III. The external comforts of mankind promoted by intelligence and improvements in the arts.

Contrast between the past and present aspect of the social state. Wretched accommoda-

tions which still exist among the lower classes, Mental improvement would lead to

diligence and economy, to cleanliness in person, clothes, and furniture-to tasteful decora-

tions of houses and garden-plots-improvements in foot-paths, narrow lanes, villages, &c. 89

SECTION VI.

ON THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING ENLARGED CONCEPTIONS
OF THE CHARACTER AND PERFECTIONS OF THE DEITY.

Grovelling conceptions of the Deity both in heathen and Christian countries. Just con-

ceptions of the Divinity acquired from his external manifestations. Ignorance exhibits

distorted views of the Divine character. Attributes of the Deity which science illustrates :

1. The unity of God. 2. Wisdom of the Deity-manifested in the various arrangements

of sublunary nature, Particular illustration. 3. Benevolence of the Deity-manifested in
the parts of the human frame, and in the surrounding elements-muscles of the eye (illus-
trated with figures)-gratification afforded to our different senses. Remedies against
the evils to which we are exposed. Multitudes of animated beings, and the ample
provision made for them. Calculations in relation to the number of certain species of
birds, and the velocity with which they fly. Number of species of plants eaten by
different animals. 4. Science exhibits a view of the multiplicity of conceptions which have
been formed in the Divine mind. Exemplified in the different construction and functions
of the various species of animals in the numerous parts which enter into the construction
of an animal frame. Lyonet's description of the numerous parts of the cossus caterpillar.