Transcriber’s Note: Cover created by Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain.

Preliminary discourse
on the Study of
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

BY
SIR JOHN F. W. HERSCHEL, BART. K.H.
M.A.—D.C.L.—F.R.S.L&E.—M.R.I.A.—F.R.A.S.
F.G.S.—M.C.U.P.S.—&c. &c.

NEW EDITION.
1851.

H. Corbould del.

E. Finden. sculp.

NATURÆ MINISTER ET INTERPRES.

NEW EDITION.
London:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN & LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER ROW

CONTENTS.

...

	Page
PART I.
OF THE GENERAL NATURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
CHAP. I.
Of Man regarded as a Creature of Instinct, of Reason, and Speculation.—General Influence of Scientific Pursuits on the Mind.	1
CHAP. II.
Of abstract Science as a Preparation for the Study of Physics.—A profound Acquaintance with it not indispensable for a clear Understanding of Physical Laws.—How a Conviction of their Truth may be obtained without it.—Instances.—Further Division of the Subject.	18
CHAP. III.
Of the Nature and Objects, immediate and collateral, of Physical Science, as regarded in itself, and in its Application to the practical Purposes of Life, and its Influence on the Well-being and Progress of Society.	35
PART II.vi
OF THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH PHYSICAL SCIENCE RELIES FOR ITS SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION, AND THE RULES BY WHICH A SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF NATURE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF THEIR INFLUENCE AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE HISTORY OF ITS PROGRESS.
CHAP. I.
Of Experience as the Source of our Knowledge.—Of the Dismissal of Prejudices.—Of the Evidence of our Senses.	75
CHAP. II.
Of the Analysis of Phenomena.	85
CHAP. III.
Of the State of Physical Science in General, previous to the Age of Galileo and Bacon.	104