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What then is Art?and what is Science?using each word in
the sense now attributed to it. What are the processes by which
scientific men on the one hand,and artists on the other,reach their
respective results? Science,in our modern acceptation of the word,
is built upon an extensive,and at the same time minute,observation
of phenomena-of things which,as the word strictly signifies,can be
seen with our eyes,or tested by our other senses-in the physical
world around us. When these recorded observations are numerous
enough,and are found to reproduce invariably the same sequences of
cause and result,we have what is called a Natural Law,or a Law of
Nature. Now,most of you doubtless know,yet it will do no harm to
recall,that the word Law,when thus applied to the processes of
Nature,is not strictly correct-any more than it is when used in
the expression"International Law". The primary meaning of the word
"Law" is a rule of action laid down by a superior-imposed by an
external authority. This is not the case with International Law,
for no nation recognizes such an external superior. Similarly,in the
eyes of pure Science,these so-called "Laws" of Nature are imposed
by no external authority of which Science has cognizance. The
Supreme Being,to whom theists ascribe the mode of Nature's opera-
tions,cannot be known by our senses. He is not among phenomena-
things that do appear-and consequently concerning Him,or His exis-
tence,Science affirms nothing,for she knows nothing.