Biographical Memoir of the late Dr Turner. 243 



an elegant little treatise, which he published " On the Laws of 

 Combination and the Atomic Theory," and which was intended 

 to diffuse a knowledge among students of the brilliant light 

 which had been thrown by the atomic doctrines on the chemical 

 constitution of compound bodies. Nowhere is there a clearer 

 sketch to be seen of the subject than in that little work ; and it 

 greatly contributed to jwpularize the study of the atomic com- 

 position of bodies, more especially by rectifying an error then 

 prevalent in this country, that the atomic theory was essentially 

 a hypothesis, and not, as it really is in a great measure, a legiti- 

 mate generalization qf' facts. 



Of the plan and execution of Dr Turner''s Elements of Che- 

 mistry, it is unnecessary for me to say one word. Every one 

 is familiar with them : for few have studied chemistry during the 

 last ten years without his Elements in their hands. Permit me, 

 then, simply to express my opinion of the work, which may be 

 done unreservedly and without ostentation, because it coincides 

 with that of every competent judge whom I have heard upon 

 the subject, — namely, that, without the slightest disparagement 

 to several admirable elementary treatises on chemistry in our 

 own language, there is neither in our own nor in any foreign 

 language, — and not in chemistry merely, but even also in any 

 other branch of science, an elementary work which surpasses, 

 or perhaps equals it, for the rare combination of clearness and 

 succinctness of exposition, extent, comprehensiveness, and accu- 

 racy of illustration, and ease, purity, and elegance of style. 

 The public have amply expressed the same sentiments ; for in 

 the short space of ten years five very large editions have been 

 exhausted. Nevertheless, this work, as I have reason to 

 know, — for the proof-sheets passed through my hands, — was 

 begun and published in the course of little more than twelve 

 months. 



Soon after its publication the London University was insti- 

 tuted. The projectors of this institution, looking well to the 

 vastncss of their undertaking, and to its probable results, and 

 fully aware that their success was to depend far less on them- 

 selves than upon the men whom they should select for teacher?, 

 bestowed uncommon pains and exercised unusual caution in 

 choosing their profassors. The nomination, then, of Dr Turner 



VOL. XXIII. NO. XLVI. OCTOBEE 1837. U 



