text:  We waive the metaphysical question of the free agency of man and the theological question of the occasional interference of the Divine Power; and presuming these to be decided in a manner favourable to the project of our Sociologist we still ask if it be possible to make of the affairs of society--legislation and politics for instance--a department of science? The mere multiplicity and complication of facts in this department of enquiry have been generally regarded as rendering such an attempt hopeless