An historical view of the progress of the physical and mathematical sciences, from the earliest ages to the present times / [Baden Powell].

  • Baden Powell
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An historical view of the progress of the physical and mathematical sciences, from the earliest ages to the present times / [Baden Powell]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    those most glorious portions of the visible universe would be contemplated; and while their real nature was un- known, and no approach as yet made to an apprehension of the laws and causes of their motions, it was far from unnatural that that adoration which can properly ori- ginate only out of a perception of causation and design, and rise to the great origin of that design, should have been degraded to the character of a grovelling super- stition, and have been transferred to the heavenly bodies themselves. In immediate connection, too, with these last motives, was the application of a knowledge of the stars to the purposes of astrology. The desire to penetrate the future, one of the most deeply seated in ignorant minds, was really gratified as soon as astronomical observation had reached far enough to notice those periods called cycles, in which the celestial motions and configurations re- curred. The prediction of the future appearances of the sky, and, above all, of eclipses, led the ignorant to expect, and the learned too frequently to keep up the expectation, that other events also might be predicted. Hence the combination of motives which tended to foster the cultivation of astronomy, and to impart to it a sacred character in the early periods of human society. The appearances of eclipses and of comets were regarded as prognostics of misfortune and public calamities. The conjunctions and configurations of the planets were con- sidered as influencing the fortunes of states and indi- viduals ; and thus their motions came to be studied, though often with worthier motives, yet very generally with the view of being made subservient to the predic- tion of future events, and not unfrequently as giving to the initiated a command over the multitude, and as furnishing an engine of priestcraft. It is also far from improbable that in many cases pretences accordant with popular superstition were held out merely as an excuse and protection to the real enquirer after knowledge; whose pursuits, if openly avowed, might have met but with reproach and ridicule, or even with opposition and
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