24S 



>y Bcrthollet. 



CONTACT OF ELEl 



PARTICLES. 



Apology for 

 Berthollety 



thollet, in his Ejfai de Static Chimiquc, Tom. I. p. 24, parag. 

 2, * has thefe words ; ♦' Cohefion is the effed of that affinity 

 which the particles exercife on each other, and keeps them at 

 a diftance, determined by the equilibrium of this force with 

 thofe which are oppofed to it ; for the property poflefled by 

 the moft compaft bodies of undergoing a diminution of volume 

 by reducing their temperature, proves that there is no irnme- 

 diate conta6l between their parts." 



After all, it is not furprifing that an author, who has un- 

 dertaken and fuccefsfully executed a work of fuch immenlity 

 with regard to chemiftry, fhould refer to one of his mod cele- 

 brated predeceflbrs for the folidity of an argument which re- 

 lates to the principles of natural philofphy ; and this condud 

 is fo much the more natural, as the argument never having 

 been contefted, though frequently quoted, a confiderable 

 prefumption arifes in its favour, to difpenfe with any careful 

 examination in cafes where it is not intended to be farther 

 applied. Now it does not appear that any farther ufe is 

 made of the propolition throughout the great work to which 

 our attention is now dire6led. I therefore confider the paf- 

 fage here extrafted, rather as the occafional mention of a 

 fmgular paradox, than as a thefis which the author was de- 

 firous of eftabliftiing. 

 whofc authority lyCt this be as it may, it will notwithftanding follow, that 

 may neverthc- ^\^Q mere incidental mention of an aflertion by an author fo 

 WiAingthV ^'juftly refpedled, will be confidered as a proof of its truth.; 

 error, jind that the numerous difciples of this great mafter will re- 



peat it with confidence. It is therefore defirable that its want 

 of foundation ftiould be iniifted onf and that it (liould be di- 

 re6lly refuted in a Journal of extenfive circulation ; more 

 particularly amongft ihofe who are moft likdy to be mifled 

 by fuch an error. 

 The author docs Before we proceed, it will be proper to make an eflential 

 not dtfcufs the ^jftinction. The afifertion is as follows : Tfie particles of bo- 

 felf ^ but^onlUn- <^^^* ^^ "^' ^oMc/t each other ; or in other terms, there is no 

 fifts that expan- immediate contatl between the eleintntary parts of bodies. Now, 

 ^' aaion "^rovc ^° ^P®^^ ^'^^ propriety, I do not at all ii^tend to deny thiiS 

 nothing. affertion, neitbier do I propofe tp eft^blifti it, 411 th?it | 



intend to do is, to fliew that it is not legitimately concluded 



* See Lambert's Tvanflation, Vpl, I, p. 2. ^v 



from 



