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DE THOME’S REMARKS ON MAGNETISM. 251
any theory of the magnet,-that is, that nothing which
has yet appeared is to be regarded as such,—is saying
that the theory of Swedenborg is none at all ;-that a
theory demonstrated by experiment, geometry, and rea
soning, and in agreement with them all, is not a theory.
Such, I believe, is the exact amount ofthe assertion ofthe
commissioners, which, therefore, it remains for them to
prove.
"I shall now proceed to enable the public to determine,
whether the Swedish philosopher was not most intimately
persuaded, that, in natural philosophy, every theory which
is not supported by experience and geometry ought to be
regarded as chimerical. In the first page of the first
volume, he thus explains his views on this subject : ’ Qui
finem vult, &c. He who wishes to attain an end, must
also wish to acquire the means. Now these are the
means which more especially lead to knowledge truly
philosophical ; experience, geometry, and the faculty of
reasoning. In the following page he insists, in these
terms : Magna quidem, &c. Arduous is the attempt
to explain philosophically the hitherto secret operations
ofelemental nature, far removed, and almost hidden from
our view. I must endeavour to place, as it were, before
the eyes, those phenomena which she herself is careful
to conceal, and of which she seems most averse to the
investigation. In such an ocean I should not venture to
spread my sail, without having experience and geometry
continually present to direct the hand and watch the
helm. With these to assist and direct me, I may hope
for a prosperous passage over the trackless deep. These
shall be my two stars to guide me in my course, and
light me on my way ; for of these do we stand most in
need in the thick darkness which involves both elemental
nature and the human mind.’ At page 184 of the same
volume, he says, again, Nisi principiorum, &c. Un
less our principles be geometrically and mechanically
connected with experience, they are mere hallucinations
and idle dreams.’ Behold, further, how he establishes
that even elemental nature is under the government of
geometry, and always like herself in the little as well as
"
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