facts, either affirmed or implied, should be inquired into; that the alleged dependence of one fact upon another should be examined; and, that the sense assigned to each of the important terms should be ascertained.

GENERALIZATION,

In the strictest sense, is gathering up, from a multitude of facts, a conclusion, or inference, or rule, which is applicable to all, or which is suggested by all. By an effort of abstraction, we separate some one property, or peculiarity, from among others; and after observing this peculiarity in a number of instances, we digest, or bring together, the common part of all the instances: this mental process is generalization. The propensity to generalize, constitutes what is called the philosophical temper. It is a desire to know, not particular facts, but those universal facts which, when known, enable us to explain whatever particular facts present themselves to our notice. When the tendency of a certain mode of conduct, as, for instance, procrastination, has been observed in a great number of cases, we bring the conviction that has gradually formed itself in our mind, into the form of a general proposition, which,

though it may be worded variously, contains the principle, or truth-that, to defer till to-morrow what should be done to-day, is a course of conduct which often ends in ruin or disgrace. This general truth we may safely apply to any new instance of the same kind, and may predict the issue, as at least probable. Or, when we learn from history that nations addicted to agriculture have been easily subjugated, unless they were also, to some considerable extent, commercial, we derive the general inference-that the combination of agriculture and commerce is favourable to the political strength of a nation. The process of deriving these inferences from a number of facts, is generalization.

GENUS and SPECIES,

Are correlative terms, the one having no meaning apart from the other. The resemblance or sameness of many things that are not absolutely alike, brings them together in our minds; and we call the collection a genus, or family. When the differences which distinguish some from others is noted, we distribute them into species. (See DEFINITION and DIFFERENCE.)

HYPOTHESIS,

From πoεσs, a supposition.

Experiments,

made with the intention of discovering the causes of the effects we observe, would be vague and fruitless, if we did not, in each instance, follow some probable conjecture or hypothesis. That is to say, a cause is first guessed at, and then experiments are instituted for the purpose of trying whether we have been right or wrong in our surmise. If wrong, we guess again, and make a new trial. An hypothesis, therefore, in not an unproved supposition, to which we give an idle assent; but a means, or instrument for gaining true knowledge. The instance adduced under the word EXPERIMENT, may be again referred to, for shewing the use of an hypothesis. The American philosopher asked, "What is lightning?" His supposition or hypothesis was-it is electricity-or the brilliant and active fire which is generated by the friction of resin, or amber. It was to prove or disprove his hypothesis that he made his experiment. Or, to take another example: we have observed that a certain spot in a meadow produces a greater quantity of grass than the rest of the field. We remember, too, that a heap of various matters, rubbish, ashes, litter, &c. had for some time lain

upon that spot; now (supposing that we were entirely ignorant of the virtues of manure) we should, as it were involuntarily, imagine that the heap of rubbish had been, in some way, the cause of the superior fertility of the spot. To ascertain the correctness of this hypothesis, we cover another spot with earth, or sand, in order to find whether the mere circumstance of covering the sward, for a time, was the reason of the fact in question. But no such effect is found to be produced in this instance. Our next supposition is, that some one of the several matters contained in the first heap was the true cause we are in search of, and we proceed to deposit a parcel of each ingredientashes, sea-weed, stable-litter, decayed vegetables, &c. separately, on different spots; and, after the lapse of some time, observe that, on one there is no increased fertility, while the others exhibit increased verdure in various degrees. This experiment, or trial, has determined our hypothesis. It is in this manner that all substantial knowledge of the laws of nature is acquired. And almost every addition to our knowledge suggests some new hypothesis, and leads to new discoveries.

IDEA.

This word is often applied to any kind of thought, or notion, or belief; but its more proper

use is restricted to such thoughts as are images of visible objects, whether actually seen and remembered, or compounded by the faculty of imagination. The words notion, or opinion, would often be well substituted for the word idea.

IDENTITY,

Is absolute sameness in substance; and is affirmed more usually of persons, than of things. John yesterday, and John ten years ago, and today, is identically the same person, although the matter of his body has undergone many changes, as well as the dispositions and habits of his mind. The conviction or consciousness of personal identity, or of continued sameness, from the commencement to the end of life, is conveyed by memory; but does not depend upon, or consist in memory. A man who by disease, or intemperance, loses all recollection of his early years, does not cease to be the same person, though he is ignorant of being so. We grant that to be identically the same, through a long course of time, which has undergone none but gradual and partial changes. It is thus that the human body, in its course from infancy to age, is thought of as identically the same. The identity of the soul, or rational power,