THE
REASON WHY:
A CAREFUL
COLLECTION OF MANY HUNDREDS OF REASONS FOR THINGS
WHICH, THOUGH GENERALLY BELIEVED, ARE
IMPERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD.
A BOOK OF CONDENSED SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR THE MILLION.
By THE AUTHOR OF "INQUIRE WITHIN."
This collection of useful information on "Common Things" is put inthe interesting form of "Why and Because," and comprehends afamiliar explanation of many subjects which occupy a large spacein the philosophy of Nature, relating to air, animals, atmosphere,caloric, chemistry, ventilation, materia medica, meteorology,acoustics, electricity, light, zoölogy, etc.
NEW YORK:
DICK & FITZGERALD, PUBLISHERS,
No. 18 ANN STREET.
PREFACE.
We are all children of one Father, whose Works it should be ourdelight to study. As the intelligent child, standing by his parent'sknee, asks explanations alike of the most simple phenomena, and ofthe most profound problems; so should man, turning to his Creator,continually ask for knowledge. Not because the profession of lettershas, in these days, become a fashion, and that the man of generalproficiency can best work out his success in worldly pursuits; butbecause knowledge is a treasure which gladdens the heart, dignifiesthe mind, and ennobles the soul.
The occupation of the mind, by the pursuit of knowledge, is of itselfa good, since it diverts from evil, and by elevating and refining themind, and strengthening the judgment, it fortifies us for the hour oftemptation, and surrounds us with barriers which the powers of sincannot successfully assail.
It is not contended that the mere acquisition of knowledge willeither ensure a good moral nature, or convey religious truth. Butboth religion and morals will find in the diffusion of knowledgea ground work upon which their loftier temples may discover anacceptable foundation.
The man who comprehends the order of Nature, and the immutabilityof Divine law, must of necessity bring himself in some degree intoaccordance with that order, and under submission to the law: hencethe tendency of knowledge will always be found to harmonise thefragment with the mass, and to subvert the evil to the good.
The troubles of the world have arisen from the want of knowledge,not from the possession of it. And in proportion as man becomes anintelligent and reflective being, he will be a better creature inall the relations of life. If these benefits, vast and incalculableas they are, be the real tendency and result of knowledge, why isignorance allowed to remain, and why is the world still distracted byerror?
It is because the moral and intellectual qualities of man are, likeall creations and gifts of God, the subjects of development, whoselaw is progression.
We can aid human improvement, but we cannot unduly hasten it.Whenever man has sprung too rapidly to a conclusion, he has alightedupon error, and has had to retrace his steps.
The greatest philosophers have been those who have clung to thedemonstrative sciences, and have held that a simple truth wellascertained, is greater than the grandest theory founded uponquestionable premises. Newton made more scientific revelations tomankind than any other philosopher; and his discoveries have bornethe searching test of time, because he snatched at nothing, leapedover no chasm to establish a favourite dogma; but, by the sloweststeps, and by regarding the merest trifles, as well as the highestphenomena, he lea