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" periments and obfervatlons, as mathematicians arrive at the fo- 

 " lution of a problem by the fimple arrangement of the data, &c." 

 From this paragraph we might be led to conclude that all reafon- 

 jng fhould be banifhed from chymical inveftigation, or at leaft, 

 that only the fimpleft fhould be admitted ; yet it may eafily be 

 ilievvn that the moft fignal inftances of fuccefsful chymical in- 

 veftigation in the obfcureft fuhje6ls, and the happieft difplay of 

 chymical fagacity, are the refults of very complicated reafoning. 

 Such is Berthollet's theory of aqua regia, BerthoUet and Welter's 

 obfervations on hepatic air, Fourcroy's oh hepatic waters, Vauque- 

 lin's theory of the mutual decompofition of nitrous air and the 

 folution of vitriol of iron,* moft of Scheele's and many of Klaproth's 

 Analyfes, and a few others. 



The juft arrangement to which mathematicians owe the eafy 

 fnlution of their problems is itfelf the refult of profound reafon- 

 ing, as is evident in the formation of equations. But the 

 modes of reafoning employed in the folutions of mathematical 

 and chymical problems cannot properly be compared, the former 

 being founded on the relation of identity or equality, and the 



latter on that of caufe and effetl. 



Page 



» All foreign chyraifts are infinitely obliged to him for giving the old denomi- 

 nations of weights and meafures inftead of centimetrts, &c. Chymiftry aims at 

 enlightening the world, r-iu' not irenclinvn alone; it ftiould therefore fpeak a 

 langijage univerfally underftood, and ftiake oiF the yoke of national pedantry. 



