54 life's beginning on the earth 



No better introduction to the problems of scientific chem- 

 istry can be given than to quote some passages from these 

 famous writings: 



Chemistry comprises the actions of the most hidden natural forces 

 which do not attract the daily attention like light, gravity, or other physical 

 forces. Here are forces which do not act at a distance, their manifestations 

 being perceptible only upon immediate contact of different materials. 

 Thousands of years were necessary to create the knowledge of all the 

 phenomena of which chemistry consisted at the time of Lavoisier. Count- 

 less observations had to be made before it became possible to explain the 

 burning of a candle, long before the hidden roads were found which led 

 to the knowledge that the rusting of iron in the air, the bleaching of dyes, 

 the respiration of animals all depend on the same cause as the burning of the 

 candle, namely, a using up of the oxygen of the air. 



In order to acquire chemical knowledge such as is available today it was 

 necessary that thousands of men, equipped with all the knowledge of their 

 times and inspired with an untamable and almost furious passion for 

 scientific research, should devote their lives, their property and all their 

 will power to explore the earth untiringly in all directions. It was neces- 

 sary to bring into contact witli each other under the most diversified 

 conditions all known substances and material, organic and inorganic. It 

 was necessary to continue this work throughout fifteen centuries. 



A powerful and irresistible inducement impelled men to carry on with 

 unprecedented patience and perserverance this line of work which was not 

 necessary for any imminent need of that time. It was the pursuit of human 

 happiness. A miraculous disposition planted into the minds of the wisest 

 and most experienced men the idea of the existence of a thing hidden in 

 the ground, by the finding of which man acquires possession of all he craves: 

 gold, good health, and a long life. Gold gives power; without good health 

 nothing can be enjoyed and long life takes the place of immortality. These 

 three sublime requisites for human happiness were believed to be combined 

 in the Philosopher's Stone. 



The notion of the Philosopher's Stone was, of course, a basic error; 

 but all our views have developed from errors. What we regard as true 

 today may be revealed as an error tomorrow. Any opinion which incites 

 us to work, which stimulates ingenuity and maintains perserverance in 

 work is an advantage for science; for it is work which leads to discoveries. 



The most active imagination, the keenest intelligence is unable to devise 

 an idea capable of acting more powerfully and lastingly upon the mind of 

 man than the idea of the Philosopher's Stone. Without this idea chemistry 

 would not exist in its present perfection. In order to call this science into 

 existence and develop it to its present stage in 1500 to 2000 years it would be 

 necessary to create a-new this very idea. 



