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General Conditions in the Eighteenth Century 411 indefinite advance. We can hardly realize how great a change has come over man's outlook on the world in recent times, for today we expect constant new discoveries and improvements and accept without astonishment such marvelous inventions as the telephone, the wireless telegraph, and the aeroplane. 716. Modern Experimental Science. In the Middle Ages learned men had been but little interested in the world about them and had devoted their attention to philosophy and theology. They were content to get their knowledge of nature from reading the works of the ancients mainly Aristotle. The new scientists, however, were not satisfied with the mere observation of what they saw about them, or the account which some ancient writer had given; they began to perform experiments that is, they placed materials in new combinations and carefully observed what took place. They established laboratories, especially equipped, where they could use apparatus which was designed to help them in their studies. Microscopes, telescopes, barometers, thermom- eters, clocks, and balances now assisted them in making accurate measurements which were impossible for the Greeks and Romans, who had none of these instruments to aid them. This new method of study led to the most astonishing discoveries, which have revolutionized the world in which we live. Our modern machinery, locomotives, steamships, telephones, cameras, and phonographs are but a few of the marvelous results of scientific experiment which had its beginnings in the eighteenth century. 717. Opposition to Scientific Discoveries. Those who ac- cepted the old views of the world and religion were quite justified in suspecting that the new discoveries would make them trouble. For scientific investigation taught men to distrust the past, which furnished so many instances of ignorance and superstition. More- over, some of its teachings did not seem to harmonize with the Bible and the prevailing notions of the universe. Unlike the theologians, the newer thinkers maintained that man was not utterly vile or incapable of good thoughts and deeds except through divine grace. They urged him, on the contrary, to use his own reason freely and believed that he might indefinitely better