On the Nature of the Earths. 073 



^ Such were I\Ir. Kerr's views of chemical science at least 

 .ourteen years ago. Of their correctness and claim to at- 

 tention, we cannot have a stronger proof than the aptness 

 of their reference to the present reformed state of know- 

 ledge. The classification, for instance, into oxygen and 

 inflammable matter*, which he suggests, is precisely the 

 arrangement according to which natural bodies now divide 

 themselves; and with regard to his idea, that alkalmity de- 

 pended upon the dose of oxygen with which the combusti- 

 ble was united, (chimerical as it might have appeared m the 

 day It was elicited,) we now possess proof of its truth. So 

 that, although this respectable philosopher has forborne to 

 obtrude his speculations on the world at the present mo- 

 ment, and is, therefore, sufTering himself to creep 'nto the 

 charnels of obscurity, we find that he is entitled to some 

 attention, and I have allotted myself the present task solely 

 for the purpose of dragging him into view. 



That future experiments will demonstrate hydrogen to be 

 the common inflammable principle, and teach us t'hat that 

 substance and oxygen are the ultimate constituents of mat- 

 ter, is more than probable : there exist many facts which' 

 might be adduced to prove the point ; amongst which, the 

 late most ingenious experiments of Braconnotf are by 

 no means inconspicuous, notwithstanding the captious and 

 jejune objections made to them by an English professor of 

 high respectability. Oxygen and hydrogen, in fact, are the 

 only w(5ll characterized elementary substances in nature. 

 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



O. 



♦ The test by which we have hitherto judged of the combustibility or 

 incombustibihty of matter, has depended upon the affinity which carbon 

 possesses for oiyj^CP.; all tho*e substances which enjov a 'stronger affini'ty 

 thau carbon for that body having been called incombustible, and those bo- 

 dies whose affinity has been weaker haviiig been racked an>ong the class of 

 lufiamnuiblcs. 



f AwiaUi de C.'iimc, tome ki. p. 187. 



S2 II. Or. 



