CHAPTER XVII.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

§ 138. In the chapter on “Laws in general,” after delineating the

progress of mankind in recognizing uniformities of relation among

surrounding phenomena—after showing how the actual succession in the

establishment of different orders of co-existences and sequences,

corresponds with the succession deducible _à priori_ from the conditions

to human knowledge—after showing how, by the ever-multiplying

experiences of constant connections among phenomena, there has been

gradually generated the conception of universal conformity to law; it

was suggested that this conception will become still clearer, when it is

perceived that there are laws of wider generality than any of those at

present accepted.

The existence of such more general laws, is, indeed, almost implied by

the _ensemble_ of the facts set forth in the above-named chapter; since

they make it apparent, that the process hitherto carried on, of bringing

phenomena under fewer and wider laws, has not ceased, but is advancing

with increasing rapidity. Apart, however, from evidence of this kind,

the man of science, hourly impressed with new proof of uniformity in the

relations of things, until the conception of uniformity has become with

him a necessity of thought, tacitly entertains the conclusion that the

minor uniformities which Science has thus far established, will

eventually be merged in uniformities that are universal. Taught as he is

by every observation and experiment, to regard phenomena as

manifestations of Force; and learning as he does to contemplate Force as

unchangeable in amount; there tends to grow up in him a belief in

unchangeable laws common to Force under all its manifestations. Though

he may not have formulated it to himself, he is prepared to recognize

the truth, that, being fixed in quantity, fixed in its two ultimate

modes of presentation (Matter and Motion), and fixed in the conditions

under which it is presented (Time and Space); Force must have certain

equally fixed laws of action, common to all the changes it produces.

Hence to the classes who alone are likely to read these pages, the

hypothesis of a fundamental unity, extending from the simplest inorganic

actions up to the most complex associations of thought and the most

involved social processes, will have an _à priori_ probability. All

things being recognized as having one source, will be expected to

exhibit one method. Even in the absence of a clue to uniformities

co-extensive with all modes of Force, as the mathematical uniformities

are co-extensive with Space and Time, it will be inferred that such

uniformities exist. And thus a certain presumption will result in favour

of any formula, of a generality great enough to include concrete

phenomena of every order.

* * * * *

§ 139. In the chapters on the “Law of Evolution,” there was set forth a

principle, which, so far as accessible evidence enables us to judge,

possesses this universality. The order of material changes, first

perceived to have certain constant characteristics in cases where it

could be readily traced from beginning to end, we found to have these

same characteristics in cases where it could be less readily traced; and

we saw numerous indications that these same characteristics were

displayed during past changes of which we have no direct knowledge. The

transformation of the homogeneous into the heterogeneous, first observed

by naturalists to be exhibited during the development of every plant and

animal, proved to be also exhibited during the development of every

society; both in its political and industrial organization, and in all

the products of social life,—language, science, art, and literature.

From the disclosures of geology, we drew adequate support for the

conclusion, that in the structure of the Earth there has similarly been

a progress from uniformity, through ever-increasing degrees of

multiformity, to the complex state which we now see. And on the

assumption of that nebular origin to which so many facts point, we

inferred that a like transition from unity to variety of distribution,

must have been undergone by our Solar System; as well as by that vast

assemblage of such systems constituting the visible Universe. This

definition of the metamorphosis, first asserted by physiologists of

organic aggregates only, but which we thus found reason to think, holds

of all other aggregates, proved on further inquiry to be too wide. Its

undue width was shown to arise from the omission of certain other

characteristics, that are, not less than the foregoing one, displayed

throughout all kinds of Evolution. We saw that simultaneously with the

change from homogeneity to heterogeneity, there takes place a change

from indefiniteness of arrangement to definiteness of arrangement—a

change everywhere equally traceable with that which it accompanies.

Further consideration made it apparent, that the increasing definiteness

thus manifested along with increasing heterogeneity, necessarily results

from increasing integration of the parts severally rendered unlike. And

thus we finally reached the conclusion, that there has been going on

throughout an immeasurable past, is still going on, and will continue to

go on, an advance from a diffused, indeterminate, and uniform

distribution of Matter, to a concentrated, determinate, and multiform

distribution of it.

At a subsequent stage of our inquiry, we discovered that this

progressive change in the arrangement of Matter, is accompanied by a

parallel change in the arrangement of Motion—that every increase in the

structural complexity of things, involves a corresponding increase in

their functional complexity. It was shown that along with the

integration of molecules into masses, there arises an integration of

molecular motion into the motion of masses; and that as fast as there

results variety in the sizes and forms of aggregates and their relations

to incident forces, there also results variety in their movements.

Whence it became manifest, that the general process of things is from a

confused simplicity to an orderly complexity, in the distribution of

both Matter and Motion.

It was pointed out, however, that though this species of transformation

is universal, in the sense of holding throughout all classes of

phenomena, it is not universal in the sense of being continued without

limit in all classes of phenomena. Those aggregates which exhibit the

entire change from uniformity to multiformity of structure and function,

in comparatively short periods, eventually show us a reverse set of

changes: Evolution is followed by Dissolution. The differentiations and

integrations of Matter and Motion, finally reach a degree which the

conditions do not allow them to pass; and there then sets in a process

of disintegration and assimilation, of both the parts and the movements

that were before growing more united and more distinct.

But under one or the other of these processes, all observable

modifications in the arrangement of things may be classed. Every change

comes under the head of integration or disintegration, material or

dynamical; or under the head of differentiation or assimilation,

material or dynamical; or under both. Each inorganic mass is either

undergoing increase by the combination with it of surrounding elements

for which its parts have affinity; or undergoing decrease by the solvent

and abraiding action of surrounding elements; or both one and the other

in varied succession and combination. By perpetual additions and losses

of heat, it is having its parts temporarily differentiated from each

other, or temporarily assimilated to each other, in molecular state. And

through the actions of divers agents, it is also undergoing certain

permanent molecular re-arrangements; rendering it either more uniform or

more multiform in structure. These opposite kinds of change, thus

vaguely typified in every surrounding fragment of matter, are displayed

in all aggregates with increasing distinctness in proportion as the

conditions essential to re-arrangement of parts are fulfilled. So that

universally, the process of things is either in the one direction or the

other. There is in all cases going on that ever-complicating

distribution of Matter and Motion which we call Evolution; save in those

cases where it has been brought to a close and reversed by what we call

Dissolution.

* * * * *

§ 140. Whether this omnipresent metamorphosis admits of interpretation,

was the inquiry on which we next entered. Recognizing the changes thus

formulated as consisting in Motions of Matter that are produced by

Force, we saw that if they are interpretable at all, it must be by the

affiliation of them on certain ultimate laws of Matter, Motion, and

Force. We therefore proceeded to inquire what these ultimate laws are.

We first contemplated under its leading aspects, the principle of

correlation and equivalence among forces. The genesis of sensible motion

by insensible motion, and of insensible motion by sensible motion, as

well as the like reciprocal production of those forms of insensible

motion which constitute Light, Heat, Electricity, Magnetism, and

Chemical Action, was shown to be a now accepted doctrine, that involves

certain corollaries respecting the processes everywhere going on around

us. Setting out with the probability that the insensible motion radiated

by the Sun, is the transformed product of the sensible motion lost

during the progressive concentration of the solar mass; we saw that by

this insensible motion, are in turn produced the various kinds of

sensible motion on the Earth’s surface. Besides the inorganic

terrestrial changes, we found that the changes constituting organic life

are thus originated. We were obliged to conclude that within this

category, come the vital phenomena classed as mental, as well as those

classed as physical. And it appeared inevitably to follow that of social

changes, too, the like must be said. We next saw that phenomena

being cognizable by us only as products of Force, manifested under the

two-fold form of attraction and repulsion, there results the general law

that all Motion must occur in the direction of least resistance, or in

the direction of greatest traction, or in the direction of their

resultant. It was pointed out that this law is every instant illustrated

in the movements of the celestial bodies. The innumerable transpositions

of matter, gaseous, liquid, and solid, going on over the Earth’s

surface, were shown to conform to it. Evidence was given that this same

ultimate principle of motion underlies the structural and functional

changes of organisms. Throughout the succession of those nervous actions

which constitute thought and feeling, as also in the discharge of

feeling into action, we no less found this principle conspicuous. Nor

did we discover any exception to it in the movements, temporary and

permanent, that go on in societies. From the universal coexistence

of opposing forces, there also resulted the rhythm of motion. It was

shown that this is displayed from the infinitesimal vibrations of

molecules up to the enormous revolutions and gyrations of planets; that

it is traceable throughout all meteorologic and geologic changes; that

the functions of every organic body exemplify it in various forms; that

mental activities too, intellectual and emotional, exhibit periodicities

of sundry kinds; and that actions and reactions illustrating this law

under a still more complex form, pervade social processes.

Such being the principles to which conform all changes produced by

Force on the distribution of Matter, and all changes re-actively

produced by Matter on the distribution of Force, we proceeded to

inquire what must be the consequent nature of any re-distributions

produced: having first noted the limiting conditions between which

such re-distributions are possible, and the medium conditions that are

most favourable to them. The first conclusion arrived at, was,

that any finite homogeneous aggregate must inevitably lose its

homogeneity, through the unequal exposure of its parts to incident

forces. We observed how this was shown in surrounding things, by the

habitual establishment of differences between inner and outer parts,

and parts otherwise dissimilarly circumstanced. It was pointed out

that the production of diversities of structure by forces acting under

diverse conditions, has been illustrated in astronomic evolution,

supposing such evolution to have taken place; and that a like

connection of cause and effect is seen in the large and small

modifications undergone by our globe. In the early changes of organic

germs, we discovered further evidence that unlikenesses of structure

follow unlikenesses of relations to surrounding agencies—evidence

enforced by the tendency of the differently-placed members of each

species to diverge into varieties. We found that the principle is also

conformed to in the establishment of distinctions among our ideas; and

that the contrasts, political and industrial, that arise between the

parts of societies are no less in harmony with it. The instability of

the homogeneous thus caused, and thus everywhere exemplified, we also

saw must hold of the unlike parts into which any uniform whole lapses;

and that so the less heterogeneous must tend continually to become

more heterogeneous—an inference which we also found to be everywhere

confirmed by fact. Carrying a step further our inquiry into

these actions and reactions between Force and Matter, there was

disclosed a secondary cause of increasing multiformity. Every

differentiated part becomes, we found, a parent of further

differentiations; not only in the sense that it must lose its own

homogeneity in heterogeneity, but also in the sense that it must, in

growing unlike other parts, become a centre of unlike reactions on

incident forces; and by so adding to the diversity of forces at work,

must add to the diversity of effects produced. This multiplication of

effects, likewise proved to be manifest throughout all Nature. That

forces modified in kind and direction by every part of every

aggregate, are gradually expended in working changes that grow more

numerous and more varied as the forces are subdivided, is shown in the

actions and reactions going on throughout the Solar System, in the

never-ceasing geologic complications, in the involved symptoms

produced in organisms by disturbing influences, in the many thoughts

and feelings generated by single impressions, and in the

ever-ramifying results of each new agency brought to bear on a

society. To which add the corollary, confirmed by abundant facts, that

the multiplication of effects must increase in a geometrical

progression, as the heterogeneity increases. Completely to

interpret the structural changes constituting Evolution, there

remained to assign a reason for that increasingly-distinct demarcation

of parts, which accompanies the production of differences between

parts. This reason we discovered to be, the segregation of mixed units

under the action of forces capable of moving them. We saw that when

the parts of an aggregate have been made qualitatively unlike by

unlike incident forces—that is, when they have become contrasted in

the natures of their component units; there necessarily arises a

tendency to separation of the dissimilar orders of units from each

other, and to aggregation of those units which are similar. This cause

of the integration that accompanies differentiation, turned out to be

likewise exemplified by all kinds of Evolution—by the formation of

celestial bodies, by the moulding of the Earth’s crust, by organic

modifications, by the establishment of mental distinctions, by the

genesis of social divisions. And we inferred, what we may everywhere

see, that the segregation thus produced goes on so long as there

remains a possibility of making it more complete. At length, to

the query whether the processes thus traced out have any limit, there

came the answer that they must end in equilibration. That continual

division and subdivision of forces, which is instrumental in changing

the uniform into the multiform and the multiform into the more

multiform, we saw to be at the same time a process by which force is

perpetually dissipated; and that dissipation, continuing as long as

there remains any force unbalanced by an opposing force, must end in

rest. It was shown that when, as happens with aggregates of various

orders, a number of movements are going on in combination, the earlier

dispersion of the smaller and more resisted movements, entails the

establishment of different kinds of moving equilibria: forming

transitional stages on the way to complete equilibrium. And further

inquiry made it apparent that for the same reason, these moving

equilibria have a certain self-conserving power; shown in the

neutralization of perturbations, and the adjustment to new conditions.

This general principle, like the preceding ones, proved to be

traceable throughout all forms of Evolution—astronomic, geologic,

biologic, mental and social. And our concluding inference was, that

the penultimate stage of this process, in which the extremest degree

of multiformity and completest form of moving equilibrium is

established, must be one implying the highest conceivable state of

humanity.

Thus it became apparent that this transformation of on indefinite,

incoherent homogeneity into a definite coherent heterogeneity, which

goes on everywhere, until it brings about a reverse transformation, is

consequent on certain simple laws of force. Given those universal modes

of action which are from moment to moment illustrated in the commonest

changes around us, and it follows that there cannot but result the

observed metamorphosis of an indeterminate uniformity into a determinate

multiformity.

* * * * *

§ 141. Finally, we have asked whether, for these universal modes of

action, any common cause is assignable—whether these wide truths are

dependent on any single widest truth. And to this question we found a

positive answer. These several principles are corollaries from that

primordial principle which transcends human intelligence by underlying

it.

In the first part of this work it was shown, by analysis of both our

religious and our scientific ideas, that while knowledge of the cause

which produces effects on our consciousness is impossible, the existence

of a cause for these effects is a datum of consciousness. Though Being

is cognizable by us only under limits of Time and Space, yet Being

without limits of Time and Space was proved to be the indefinite

cognition forming the necessary basis of our definite cognitions. We saw

that the belief in an Omnipresent Power of which no commencement or

cessation can be conceived, is that fundamental element in Religion

which survives all its changes of form. We saw that all Philosophies

avowedly or tacitly recognize this same ultimate truth:—that while the

Relativist rightly repudiates those definite assertions which the

Absolutist makes respecting real existence, he is yet at last compelled

to unite with him in predicating real existence. And this inexpugnable

consciousness in which Religion and Philosophy are at one with Common

Sense, proved to be likewise that on which all exact Science is founded.

We found that subjective Science can give no account of those

conditioned modes of existence which constitute consciousness, without

postulating unconditioned existence. And we found that objective Science

can give no account of the existence which we know as external, without

regarding its changes of form as manifestations of an existence that

continues constant under all forms. Absolute Being, or Being which

persists without beginning or end, was shown to be the common datum of

all human thought; for the sufficient reason that the consciousness of

it cannot be suppressed, without the suppression of consciousness

itself.

From this truth which transcends proof, we have seen that the general

principles above set down, are deducible. That the power or force

manifested to us in all phenomena, continues unaltered in quantity,

however its mode of manifestation be altered, is a proposition in which

these several propositions are involved. It was shown that on the

Persistence of Force are based the demonstrations that Matter is

indestructible and Motion continuous. When its proofs were examined, the

correlation and equivalence of forces was found to follow from the

Persistence of Force. The necessity we are under of conceiving Force

under the two-fold form of attraction and repulsion, turns out to be but

an implication of the necessity we are under of conceiving Force as

persistent. On the Persistence of Force, we saw that the law of

direction of Motion is dependent; and from it also we saw that the

rhythm of Motion necessarily results. Passing to those changes of

distribution which, by the Motion it generates, Force produces in

Matter, it was pointed out that from the Persistence of Force are

severally deducible, the instability of the homogeneous, the

multiplication of effects, and that increasing definiteness of structure

to which continuous differentiation and integration leads. And lastly we

saw that Force being persistent, Evolution cannot cease until

equilibrium is reached; and that equilibrium must eventually be reached.

So that given Force manifested in Time and Space, under the forms of

Matter and Motion; and it is demonstrable, _à priori_, that there must

go on such transformations as we find going on.

* * * * *

§ 142. See then the accumulation of proofs. The advance of human

intelligence in establishing laws continually wider in generality,

raises the presumption that there are all-comprehensive laws. Turning to

the facts, we discern a pervading uniformity in the general course of

things where this can be watched, and indications of such uniformity

where it cannot be watched. Considering this uniformity analytically, we

find it to result from certain simpler uniformities in the actions of

Force. And these uniformities prove to be so many necessary implications

of that primordial truth which underlies all knowledge—the Persistence

of Force. The aspect of things raises a presumption; extended

observations lead to an induction that fulfils this presumption; this

induction is deductively confirmed; and the laws whence it is deduced

are corollaries from that datum without which thought is impossible.

No higher degree of verification than this can be imagined. An induction

based on facts so numerous and varied, and falling short of universality

only where the facts are beyond observation, possesses of itself a

validity greater than that of most scientific inductions. When it is

shown that the proposition thus arrived at _à posteriori_, may also be

arrived at _à priori_, starting from certain simple laws of force; it is

raised to a level with those generalizations of concrete science which

are accepted as proved. And when these simple laws of force are

affiliated upon that ultimate truth which transcends proof; this

dependent proposition takes rank with those propositions of abstract

science which are our types of the greatest conceivable certainty.

Let no one suppose that any such degree of certainty is alleged of the

various minor propositions brought in illustration of the general

argument. Such an assumption would be so manifestly absurd, that it

seems scarcely needful to disclaim it. But the truth of the doctrine as

a whole, is unaffected by errors in the details of its presentation. As

the first principles of mathematics are not invalidated by mistakes made

in working out particular equations; so the first principles set forth

in the foregoing pages, do not stand or fall with each special statement

made in them. If it can be shown that the Persistence of Force is not a

datum of consciousness; or if it can be shown that the several laws of

force above specified are not corollaries from it; then, indeed, it will

be shown that the theory of Evolution has not the certainty here claimed

for it. But nothing short of this can invalidate the general conclusions

arrived at.

* * * * *

§ 143. If these conclusions be accepted—if it be admitted that they

inevitably follow from the truth transcending all others in authority—if

it be agreed that the phenomena going on everywhere are parts of the

general process of Evolution, save where they are parts of the reverse

process of Dissolution; then it must be inferred that all phenomena

receive their complete interpretation, only when recognized as parts of

these processes. Regarded from the point of view here reached, each

change that takes place, is an incident in the course of the

ever-complicating distribution of Matter and Motion, except where it is

an incident in the course of the reverse distribution; and each such

change is fully understood, only when brought under those universal

principles of change, to which these transformations necessarily

conform. Whence, indeed, it appears to be an unavoidable

conclusion, that the limit towards which Science is advancing, must be

reached when these formulæ are made all-comprehensive. Manifestly, the

perfection of Science, is a state in which all phenomena are seen to be

necessary implications of the Persistence of Force. In such a state, the

dependence of each phenomenon on the Persistence of Force, must be

proved either directly or indirectly—either by showing that it is a

corollary of the Persistence of Force, or by showing that it is a

corollary from some general proposition deduced from the Persistence of

Force. And since all phenomena are incidents in the re-distributions of

Matter and Motion; and since there are certain general principles,

deducible from the Persistence of Force, to which all these

re-distributions conform; it seems inferrable that ultimately all

phenomena, where not classed as consequences of the Persistence of

Force, must be classed as consequences of these derivative principles.

* * * * *

§ 144. Of course this development of Science into an organized aggregate

of direct and indirect deductions from the Persistence of Force, can be

achieved only in the remote future; and indeed cannot be completely

achieved even then. Scientific progress, is progress in that

equilibration of thought and things which we saw is going on, and must

continue to go on; but which cannot arrive at perfection in any finite

period, because it advances more slowly the further it advances. But

though Science can never be entirely reduced to this form; and though

only at a far distant time can it be brought nearly to this form; yet

much may even now be done in the way of rude approximation. Those who

are familiar with the present aspects of Science, must recognize in them

the broken outlines of a general organization. The possibility of

arranging the facts already accumulated, into the order rudely exhibited

in the foregoing pages, will itself incline them to the belief that our

knowledge may be put into a more connected shape than it at present has.

They will see the probability that many now isolated inductions, may be

reduced to the form of deductions from first principles. They will

suspect that inferences drawn from the ultimate laws of force, will lead

to the investigation and generalization of classes of facts hitherto

unexamined. And they will feel, not only that a greater degree of

certainty must be acquired by Science, as fast as its propositions are

directly or indirectly deduced from the highest of all truths; but also

that it must so be rendered a more efficient agent of further inquiry.

To bring scientific knowledge to such degree of logical coherence as is

at present possible, is a task to be achieved only by the combined

efforts of many. No one man can possess that encyclopedic information

required for rightly arranging even the truths already established. But

as progress is effected by increments—as all organization, beginning in

faint and blurred outlines, is completed by successive modifications and

additions; advantage may accrue from an attempt, however rude, to reduce

the facts already accumulated—or rather certain classes of them—to

something like co-ordination. Such must be the plea for the several

volumes which are to succeed this.

* * * * *

§ 145. A few closing words must be said, concerning the general bearings

of the doctrines that are now to be further developed. Before proceeding

to interpret the detailed phenomena of Life, and Mind, and Society, in

terms of Matter, Motion, and Force, the reader must be reminded in what

sense the interpretations are to be accepted. In spite of everything

said at the outset, there are probably some who have gained the

impression that those most general truths set forth in the preceding

chapters, together with the truths deducible from them, claim to be

something more than relative truths. And, notwithstanding all evidence

to the contrary, there will probably have arisen in not a few minds, the

conviction that the solutions which have been given, along with those to

be derived from them, are essentially materialistic. Let none persist in

these misconceptions.

As repeatedly shown in various ways, the deepest truths we can reach,

are simply statements of the widest uniformities in our experience of

the relations of Matter, Motion, and Force; and Matter, Motion, and

Force are but symbols of the Unknown Reality. That Power of which the

nature remains for ever inconceivable, and to which no limits in Time or

Space can be imagined, works in us certain effects. These effects have

certain likenesses of kind, the most general of which we class together

under the names of Matter, Motion, and Force; and between these effects

there are likenesses of connection, the most constant of which we class

as laws of the highest certainty. Analysis reduces these several kinds

of effect to one kind of effect; and these several kinds of uniformity

to one kind of uniformity. And the highest achievement of Science is the

interpretation of all orders of phenomena, as differently-conditioned

manifestations of this one kind of effect, under differently-conditioned

modes of this one kind of uniformity. But when Science has done this, it

has done nothing more than systematize our experience; and has in no

degree extended the limits of our experience. We can say no more than

before, whether the uniformities are as absolutely necessary, as they

have become to our thought relatively necessary. The utmost possibility

for us, is an interpretation of the process of things as it presents

itself to our limited consciousness; but how this process is related to

the actual process, we are unable to conceive, much less to know.

Similarly, it must be remembered that while the connection between the

phenomenal order and the ontological order is for ever inscrutable; so

is the connection between the conditioned forms of being and the

unconditioned form of being, for ever inscrutable. The interpretation of

all phenomena in terms of Matter, Motion, and Force, is nothing more

than the reduction of our complex symbols of thought, to the simplest

symbols; and when the equation has been brought to its lowest terms the

symbols remain symbols still. Hence the reasonings contained in the

foregoing pages, afford no support to either of the antagonist

hypotheses respecting the ultimate nature of things. Their implications

are no more materialistic than they are spiritualistic; and no more

spiritualistic than they are materialistic. Any argument which is

apparently furnished to either hypothesis, is neutralized by as good an

argument furnished to the other. The Materialist, seeing it to be a

necessary deduction from the law of correlation, that what exists in

consciousness under the form of feeling, is transformable into an

equivalent of mechanical motion, and by consequence into equivalents of

all the other forces which matter exhibits; may consider it therefore

demonstrated that the phenomena of consciousness are material phenomena.

But the Spiritualist, setting out with the same data, may argue with

equal cogency, that if the forces displayed by matter are cognizable

only under the shape of those equivalent amounts of consciousness which

they produce, it is to be inferred that these forces, when existing out

of consciousness, are of the same intrinsic nature as when existing in

consciousness; and that so is justified the spiritualistic conception of

the external world, as consisting of something essentially identical

with what we call mind. Manifestly, the establishment of correlation and

equivalence between the forces of the outer and the inner worlds, may be

used to assimilate either to the other; according as we set out with one

or other term. But he who rightly interprets the doctrine contained in

this work, will see that neither of these terms can be taken as

ultimate. He will see that though the relation of subject and object

renders necessary to us these antithetical conceptions of Spirit and

Matter; the one is no less than the other to be regarded as but a sign

of the Unknown Reality which underlies both.

THE END.

JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS.

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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Changed “which takes place” to “which take place” on p. 315.

2. Duplicated the large spaces in the original text.

3. Silently corrected typographical errors.

4. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

5. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.

First Principles · 第 17 / 17 章