of its existence. Yet with the confidence and zeal •of prophecy he declares that it must exist for demonstration has proved it." In accordance with his predictions the quest is begun, and a few hours' research reveals this long-lost tenant of the skies. Thus Neptune was added to our little family Of planets. "And 'what were, the glorious contemplations of this pupil of mathematical philosophy ? Alone, yet not alone, amid the glowing lights of heaven he sends his spirit forth through the works of God. He has taken line and figure and'measure, and from proposition to proposition, and from conclusion to conclusion, riveting link after link, he has bound the universe to the throite of its Creator, by that `----- golden everlasting chain, Whose strong embrace holds heaven and earth and main.'" Yes, mathematics has explored the heavens and returned heavily laden with jewels of truth, which she has laid at the feet of man. But more ; she turns to the earth beneath, weighs its very atoms, severs the cord that binds its elements together, and reveals the laws of their combination. Chemistry with all its wonders, loaded so heavily with blessing, its gorgeous beauties beaming forth with all their dazzling brilliance, humbly does obeisance to this monarch of science. Mathematics has ever furnished the final court of appeal in the quest for the unknown. Behold its kingly grandeur as it dictates to Sir Isaac Newton the truth or falsehood of his specula tions. But Newton, we are told, discovered the laws that have made his name immortal by a course of . inductive reasoning. What honor was that for mathematics, which is essentially de ductive ? He simply observed the facts of nature, and from them he assumed a law. True, but before that law is fixed it must stand the test of deduction. He assumes it as true, and from it calculates the orbit of the moon. The test fails, and the mighty Newton, bowing in humble submission before the decree of this' unerring science, admits that his assumptions must be regarded
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