HUTCH IN SON I ANS

The name given to those who embraced the opinions of John Hutch in son, a well-known philosopher and naturalist of the 18th century. Though the followers of Hutch in son have never constituted a sect, they have reckoned among their number several distinguished divines both of the established churches of the United Kingdom and of di enting communities. The number of profe ed Hutch in son i ans is rapidly decreasing, though the principles and views of their founder are still entertained by many. The chief characteristics of Hutch in son's philosophy consist in his rejection of Newton's doctrine of gravitation; and in his maintaining the existence of a plenum on the authority of the Old Testament, which according to him embraces a complete system of natural philosophy as well as of religion. See his works, 12 vols. 8vo. 1748. [s. 581]