My life : a record of events and opinions - Wallace-online.org

——SELF-EDUCATION IN SCIENCE, ETC. incommon things conferred by a knowledge of theelementary laws of physical science, I remark**Many who marvel at the rolling thunder carenot to inquire what causes the sound which is heardwhen a tightly-fitting cork is quickly drawn from abottle, or when a whip is cracked or a pistol fired;and while they are struck with awe and admirationat the dazzling lightning, look upon the sparks drawnfrom a cat's back on a frosty evening and the slightcrackle that accompanies them as being only fit toamuse a child ;yet in each case the cause of thetrifling and of the grand phenomena is the same. Hewho has extended his inquiries into the varied phenomenaof nature learns to despise no fact, howeversmall, and to consider the most apparently insignificantand common occurrences as much in need ofexplanation as those of a grander and more imposingcharacter. He sees in every dewdrop trembling onthe grass causes at work analogous to those whichhave produced the spherical figure of the earth andplanets ; and in the beautiful forms of crystallizationon his window-panes on a frosty morning he recognizesthe action of laws which may also have a partin the production of the similar forms of plants andof many of the lower animal types. Thus the simplestfacts of everyday life have to him an inner meaning,and he sees that they depend upon the same generallaws as those that are at work in the grandest phenomenaof nature."I then pass in review the chief arts and sciences,showing their inter-relations and unsolved problems ;and in remarking on the Daguerrotype, then the onlymode of photographic portraiture, I make a suggestionthat, though very simple, has not yet been carriedout. It is as follows :