230 MEMOIK OF DE. DALTON, AND 



CHAPTER XI. 



DALTON S ATOMIC THEORY. 



We now come to Dalton, whom we have left since he first 

 thought of weighing atoms ; this has been done in order that 

 by accumulating all the materials he might have used, we 

 may know what has been his especial work. Matters stood 

 thus : Higgins had, in 1789, seen the fundamental principle 

 clearly, and given it out more as a thinker than a discoverer, 

 neglecting to generalize; that principle included simple 

 proportion or the law of necessary definite composition 

 and multiple proportion. Richter had systematized all the 

 laws of combination known to him, but had not known of 

 Higgins, although he would there have got the clue to all 

 his strivings. He discovered one of the most important con- 

 sequences of the fundamental law, in reciprocal proportion, 

 but did not rise up to first principles. Scientific men could 

 get no decided guide from either, and preferred to follow 

 BerthoUet, who was leading them out of the right direction, 

 obstructing for many years the advance of chemical philoso- 

 phy, or compelling others to accumulate proof until it was 

 suflScient to overwhelm him. 



The materials we have for tracing the progress of Dalton's 

 opinions are few, but distinct and sufficient. I shall not enter 

 into the argument of honesty, which can be thrown with greater 

 violence at so many heads, but shall take it for granted, that 

 all those who have had the honour of working at the laws of 

 chemical combination with any success, have also had the 

 advantage of an honest mind. I know of no dishonesty on 

 any side among the principals connected with this subject, and 

 their defenders have erred, probably, on account of proving 

 one side better in morals than the other. 



