IN

6

N VIEW of the present edition of these Fragments,' I have carefully re-examined, recast, and to some extent remodelled them, adding some new ones to those published in former editions.

In regard to style they are as clear and simple as I could make them. In regard to matter my desire has been that they should utter nothing base.

35X0 32

ATHENEUM CLUB: March 24, 1876.

JOHN TYNDALL.

PREFACE

ΤΟ

THE FIRST EDITION.

Y MOTIVE in writing these papers was mainly that

Mr

which prompted the publication of my Royal Institution lectures; a desire, namely, to extend sympathy for science beyond the limits of the scientific public.

I have carefully looked over all the articles here printed, added a little, omitted a little-in fact, tried as far as my time permitted to render the work presentable. Most of the essays are of a purely scientific character; and from those which are not, I have endeavoured, without veiling my convictions, to exclude every word that could cause needless irritation.

From America came the impulse which induced me to gather these Fragments' together, and to my friends in the United States I dedicate them.

ATHENEUM CLUB: March 1871.

JOIN TYNDall.