An Analysis of two Mineral Springs. 175 
and difficult part of chemistry would not be unac- 
ceptable to a society, which cannot but be interest- 
ed in a subject of so much consequence to the che- 
mist and the physician, and, therefore, so closely 
related to the general interests of humanity. It is 
a branch which, in our days, has made a progress 
proportioned to the general improvement of the 
science; and owes its rapid advancement, in a 
great measure, to the order, perspicuity, and con- 
summate skill, with which it has been treated 
by the illustrieus Bergman. But since the ele- 
ments {or what are to us the elements) of nature 
are very numerous, and their combinations indefi- 
nitely varied, it can hardly be supposed, that per- 
fection is attained in an art, the objects of whichare 
-at once so extensive and so complicated. We can 
only hope to approach to this end by the study of 
nature in her own school; by patient and attentive 
experiment, Science must guide, industry must 
execute, and genius must combine. _ However, the 
labours of many eminent philosophers have greatly 
facilitated the progress of their successors in the 
same field; in consequence of which, there are 
many parts of science, in which a common hand 
may fill up the plan traced out by the pencil of a 
master: imitation may finish what invention has 
begun. ‘The progression of knowledge is, from its 
nature, proportioned to the condition of its present 
improvement; at Jeast in those branches, in which 
