Physicial Astronomy

Автор: Robert Woodhouse
Издательство: Cambridge
Страниц: 487
Год: 1850
Размер: 18,7 МБ

I T must be in compliance with custom, rather than from any distinct view of good likely to result, when an Author begins his Work by defining the Science he means to treat of. A definition is not easily laid down. It is not difficult, indeed, to define a branch of science in general terms ; but such are seldom intelligible to the Student. If we enumerate what is too summarily expressed, and explain a general statement by detailing certain cases comprehended under it, we, probably, forestall what belongs to the body of the Work. We attempt to do immaturely what, it is almost certain, will be done imperfectly ; and this without an adequate advantage ; for, a definition such as we allude to, entailing no consequences, is not required in the beginning of a Work: at the end it is unnecessary.