438 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



In the picture the furnace earth, the lute, the small hole 

 and the luminous vapour are faithfully reproduced, and the 

 description of the process sufficiently explains the anxiety 

 of the alchemist at the crisis of the operation. 



The group of exquisitely painted objects which complete 

 the strongly lighted part of the picture merits careful attention. 

 The table behind the figure of the alchemist is covered with a 

 cloth. On it lies a piece of drapery which hangs down behind 

 the jet, through which the pattern is seen. To the right is a 

 horoscope inscribed with various signs among which the symbol 

 for phlogiston may be discerned. Two closed books rest on 

 the horoscope, and behind them stand a globe and two vases. 

 The alchemist is represented kneeling on his left knee in an 

 attitude of prayer, but the horoscope suggests that he had not 

 omitted to consult the stars in order to secure an auspicious day 

 for his experiment. Two open books complete this interesting 

 group, one on the right leaning against the globe, the other on 

 the left between the vases. The adjacent inkstand suggests that 

 the latter is the manuscript record of the alchemist's experiments, 

 whilst the others are doubtless the treatises of celebrated 

 adepts. The inkstand with the two flasks and the clock in 

 front of the pillar constitute a darker group of minor interest. 



To the left of the furnace is a fine wicker-covered jar, and 

 on its right is a dark alembic or still with two smaller jars, 

 which balance the illuminated figure of the alchemist. A shovel 

 rests against the wall of the furnace. 



On the left of the picture the youth with the blowpipe and 

 the woman with the objects on the wall behind furnish a second- 

 ary feature of interest. The group is lit by the flame of the 

 blowpipe lamp, the lighting scheme being similar to that of the 

 principal group, although more subdued. The blowpipe is of 

 the earlier form then in use : the blowpipe and charcoal are 

 accurately delineated, and the youth has interrupted his work 

 to watch with open eyes the crisis of the alchemist's operation. 



The furnace and balloon remain the same as in the original 

 sketch which now hangs beside the picture. It indicates 

 the care which the artist took in the composition of the picture. 

 The same care must obviously have been taken to reproduce 

 faithfully the apparatus of an earlier period, and the exquisite 

 rendering of the details of the picture make it clear also that 

 the work of painting it was a labour of love. 



We may fairly conclude that Wright was an interested 

 student of science, for which he seems to have displayed an 

 early bias. We may also infer that there were educated people 

 in his native town who took a keen interest in experimental 

 science, and that the apparatus which is shown in these remark- 

 able pictures was available in the neighbourhood. 



