28l 



the temple of fcience. Then, method is added to refearch, and principle 

 to experiment. One difcovery becomes the parent of another ; and fci- 

 entific truths and commercial advantages proceed, with equable march, 

 and Merly affeaion.— The conftruclion of machinery ; the chemical com- 

 pofitions and refolutions, on which depend the brightnefs and perma- 

 nency of colours, in the art of dying ; the relative durability and eli- 

 gible qualities of materials, for the various purpofes, of buildings and 

 machinery ; the properties of metals ; the various preparations of va- 

 rious fubftances, which may anfwer one and the fame end in manufac- 

 ture ; all thefe are difquifitions, in which, the light of fcience will fervc 

 to guide the artill, to fuperior excellence and fuperior wealth. 



It were to be wiflied, that men of fcience, in this country, could 

 be induced, to apply their refearches to the improvement of manu- 

 faaures. The French, with all their wild extravagance, are capable 

 of affording ufeful leflbns to the world, in many refpefts, and, in par- 

 ticular, as to the application of phyfical knowledge to praclical pur- 

 pofes, even in the meaneft manufaftures ; their public inftitutions, their 

 diaionaries des arts, et metiers, the various elaborate articles in their 

 Encydopedies, may convince us, with what anxious care the learned men 

 of France have purfued this important objeft; and how happily they 

 have diverted themfelves, of the falfe pride, and miftaken dignity, that 

 fometimes, lead the philofopher, to confider the humble, though nice, and 

 important details of a manufafture as beneath his care. 



There are what the vulgar call the fecrets of manufaSures : thefe 

 are the niceties, to be obferved in certain proceflfes, the time of continuing 

 certam operatons ; the mixture and proportion of ingredients; the pre- 

 hmmary preparation of materials; the greater or leffer intenfity of heat; 

 the form and capacity of utenfils; the application of the 'mecha- 

 nic powers ; all thefe particulars may be learned, accidentally, at once ; 

 or betherefult of frequent trials; but they are reduced to a certainty, 



Vo^- IX. ( N n ) - by 



