It is undoubtedly true, that in this mode of investigation the experiments must be preceded by hypothesis, or supposi tion ; for a man eannot begin to make experiments without the previous formation of a certain plan ; but then the plan, the supposition, or the hy pothesis, goes no farther than to propose something, the confirmation or refutation of which is referred to the result ol'experillients, assisted by mathematical caleulation. In the 13th century, the necessary preliminaries for the improvement of natural kilos% ledge began to be made; viz., collections of what then prevailed under the de nomination of scientific knowledge. natural know ledge, secrets of nature, and the like; and the farrago of truths, errors, inconsistencies. doubts, and perplexities, which these works contain. is strange indeed. Among the few who effectually began to work irk the experimental mode of investigation, during that century, Friar Bacon held the most distinguished place. Ills desire of int;nination was great ; his views ex tensive ; his mind clear and capacious ; and he is said to Intro spent about J.!,000 (a sum very considerable at that time in the perlbrmance of his numerous philosophical ex periments. Baptista Porta also distinguished himself for similar pursuits in Italy. This inquisitive person lived at Naples. and the year 150 formed a society of scientific persons, who met in his own house. The great Galileo, who was born in Italy, in the year 15114, became famous as a philosopher and a mathematician, towards the latter end of that century and the beginning of the next. his genius, superior to the prejudices of the times, investigated and estab lished several leading propositions in natural philosophy ; and his success, his example, and his precepts disseminated a universal ardour for the true mode of investigating the powers and the effects of natural bodies. his successor, Torricelli, was not unworthy of a most distinguished rank amongst the philosophers of the age ; and the Torricellian tube, or the barometer, is a magnificent monument of his experimental inquiries.
In England, as we have already mentioned, Friar Bacon was the first promoter of trite knowledge; hut a great part of the work of philosophical refiffmation was accomplished by another inquiring genius of the same name. Francis Bacon, lord-chancellor of' England, gave a fresh and igorons impulse to the progress of exi.erimental inquiry. lie recorded a vast 1111I nber of facts. proposed and executed a great many experiments, and nothing that related to nature seemed to be below his notice.
These early reformers of philosophy, besides other obvious diflienIties. were obliged to struggle against, and the sueeess of their labours was much impeded by, the erroneous notions ss hie!: then prevailed, and which had been long rooted in the minds even of the most able persons then living, Galileo was oppressed by the ignorance and prejudices of the clergy. Crichton, who flourished about the latter end of the I iith century, wrote an able book expressly against the vain philo sophy of Aristotle, which had long been read in the schools. The two Bacons, and other able writers, frequently allude to, and strenuously endeavour to rem °VP, the absurd and fanci ful notions of their contemporaries. In short, the demolition
of the old defective fabric, proved nearly as laborious as the erection of the new structure.
The reform which had been begun by the above-mentioned, and other worthy persons, was soon after completed by the extraordinary genius of Newton. This truly great man, like a luminary of the first magnitude, illustrated whatever came within the limits of his notice, and his notice was employed in the greatest and most admired works of the creation. IIis method was to institute experiments, to examine the phenomena with accuracy, and to ground upon them the strictest mathematical reasoning. The conviction which such a rational method conveyed, and the numerous discov eries with which it was attended, completely exploded the old tenets, and established the only true method of investi gating nature.
The progress of experimental philosophy might have been interrupted by the death of a single individual ; for it dues but seldom occur that genius, health, Opulence, and other opportunities, concur in the qualification of an experimental philosopher ; but the danger was in great measure averted by the institution of philosophical societies. These societies, by bringing together learned men, and concentrating., as it were, their efforts against the ignorance and prejudice of the age; by uniting the etlbrts of' several ingenious labourers, by furnishing in measure the means of investigation, by encouraging improvements. and by recording and propagat ing the results, at length succeeded in establishing the progress of knowledge in a regular :111.1 permanent channel.
The first society of the kind which We find recorded, is that which we have already mentioned :It the house of Baptista Porta, in Naples, towards the latter end of the Ilth century. It was called " Academia Seeretoruin Naturre." Next to this, and the end of the same century, the academy, called the Lyneei, was tbunded at IZome, and was rendered famous throughout the world, principally by the renown of one of its members, the great Galileo. The Academy- del Cimento, and several other associations of scientific persons, were established in the succeeding, viz., the I ith century. Amongst those associations the first rank must be assigned to the Royal Society of London. This most learned and distinguished society had its origin soon after the middle of the lith century. A few men of learn ing began to meet at stated bones at Wadhain college, I ixtbrd ; and among those persons were the following conspicuous characters: viz., Dr. Ward, Mr. 14)1)(211 Boyle, Dr. Wilkins, Sir William Petty, Mr. Matthew Wren. Dr. Wallis, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Willis, Dr. Bathurst, Dr. Christopher Wren, and Mr. Uouke. From I /xford this association transferred its Meetings in the year 1115S, to Gresham college, in London. There they increased their number ; and soon after the res toration of Charles II., the society received a royal charter, which established it in the form that has been continued ever since.