PREFACE. HE text of the following elementary treatise was undertaken without any view to publication, being intended by the author merely for the instruction of his only child. Finding, however, as he proceeded, that it would unavoidably attain a larger size than he had expected, and conceiving that its catechetical form gave it a simplicity and plainness not usually found in works of this nature, he was led to think of the propriety of publishing it. Other considerations then presented themselves; and, from a high opinion of the value of chymical knowledge, and the vast importance of inspiring a taste for it in early life, he imagined it might not be thought presumptuous, were he to give to the world what had cost him so much trouble to compile, and what he considered to be better calculated to teach the rudiments of the science to young people than any other book with which he was acquainted. Having endeavored to give the whole rather an inviting appearance than otherwise, even to youth, he presumed that such a performance might prove exceedingly useful in those seminaries where the preceptors have not had leisure or opportu nity to study more elaborate treatises; and that it would also enable parents who are not qualified by previous acquirements to instruct their children in the elements of chemistry, than which there can be nothing more essential, in whatever line of life a youth may be destined to move. But a more powerful motive was the desire to exhibit, in a popular form, a body of the most incontrovertible evidence of the wisdom and beneficence of the Deity in the establishment and modification of those laws of matter which are infinitely and beautifully varied, and whose operation is too delicate to be the object of general notice. For if it could be proved to the satisfaction of youth, that matter is subject to a vast variety of laws which escape common observance; and that, in the adjustment of those laws, the most minute attention, if it may be so expressed, has been paid to our convenience and comfort—it was imagined such a detail would tend to make a more indelible impression on the young mind, than the display of the same goodness in the operation of causes which come under our daily notice and observation. With these views he could not but entertain a favourable opinion of the probable utility of a work upon such a plan, if pro.. perly executed. It was therefore with the utmost diffidence and anxiety that he ventured upon the task of preparing the following sheets for the press-actuated, however, by the desire of being useful, he hopes that their imperfections will not expose him to unmerited reprehension. A work of this nature, particularly where such a mass of facts is crowded into one single volume, must be liable to errors and imperfections; but as he has chosen à new path, the allowance due to the defects of a first attempt will not, he confidently trusts, be refused him, especially by those who are aware of the labour and of the difficulties which attend the compilation of an elementary treatise. In order to render the generality of parents and preceptors more competent to explain and expatiate upon the variety of facts which this science presents, and to qualify them in some measure to afford such answers to a number of questions which the young pupil, as he advances and becomes more interested in the experiments, will not fail to demand, the author has added a variety of explanatory notes. Many of these notes will be found to contain hew matter, or, at least, what is not generally known or published; others, and perhaps the majority, were drawn from various sources: but as many were quoted from memory, and still more from the common-place-book of the compiler, he was compelled in some instances, either to omit the authorities, or entirely forgo the advantages he had derived from the works, experiments, and opinions of some of the most enlightened chymical philosophers of the age. Here he has constantly been guided by one rule-to produce rather what is useful than original, The author is not without his apprehensions lest some of the very numerous facts so interesting to young people, notwithstanding his best endeavours, should have escaped his notice; and in this instance he particularly begs for indulgence, as the greater part of his time is devoted to those occupations which are inseparable from the superintendance of a chymical manufactory. However, should the work attain a second edition, he will gratefully receive, and gladly avail himself of, any suggestions that sha be offered. The moral reflections, which frequently occur, will probably be regarded by some as irrelevant to the subject; but, in compiling any initiatory book, no writer, as a parent, could lose sight of what is certainly a more important object than chymical instruction; viz. the necessity to embrace every favorable opportunity of infusing such principles into the youthful mind, as might defend it against immorality, irreligion, and scepticism. The arrangement of the chapters, the order of the matter, and indeed, the whole plan may also seem to require an apology, especially to those who may perceive that the disposition of the subjects is different from that of every other chymical writer; but it is hoped that the reader will be satisfied with the assurance, that this method of distribution was not adopted but upon the most mature deliberation, and that the author had no object in view but to afford to the student a greater facility in the acquisition of chymical knowledge; being persuaded that a strict regu larity of classification cannot always be so practical, or so well understood, in this and in many other branches of science, until the young mind be first prepared by the acquirement of the more easy and obvious truths. In chymistry, and in many other parts of philosophy, it were often better for the student to commence at once by experiments, and thence to advance to theory. Intances of the success derived from this mode are not wanting; nay, they are even numerous. Doctor Priestly is a very striking example; nor should a Black, a Cavendish, or a Lavoisier be omitted; the last of whom certainly founded his well digested theory upon the results of many previous experiments. Upon the whole, then, the proficient must not expect to find either a new or complete system of chymistry detailed in these pages for if the rudiments of the science be drawn in such form as to invite a youth to study larger and more extended works*, and prepare him to imbibe only that theory which he can substantiate by his own experiments, the chief design of the author will then be fully accomplished, In the course of the work the author has endeavoured to direct the student to the best treatises in each department of the science: this, he hopes will greatly facilitate a progressive improvement, |