126 On the alkaUne Matter contained in dropsical Fluids. 



xnetcoric stones hus been proved^-tliat the Klentity of the 

 chemical asrencies of ekctricity, \vht;ther excitetl by the 

 couiinoij iiiacliine, or by the Voltaic battery, has been 

 demonstrated — ihat in a neighbouring country the forma- 

 tion of crystals has been explained upon sysier.ialic prin- 

 ciples — tliat ajpongst us a new and woi.der'ully accuraie in- 

 strument oi crvstallography uas been invented — and ribove 

 all, that the metallic bases of alkalies, those extraordinary 

 bodies which nature had hitherto concealed under an im- 

 penetrable disguise, have at last been brought to light ! Let 

 it be remembered as one of the most glorious circumstances 

 of that discovery, that it was by examining mere atoms of 

 these substances that their properties were first ascertained ; 

 and that vvlicu, in consecpience of subsequent improvements 

 in the mode of obtaining these bodies, lUey were procured 

 in larger quantities, and their general properlicb were re- 

 examined, no error was discovered, and no important in- 

 formation was added to that which had originally been gained 

 from microscopic quantities. 



It is far from my intention, however, to contend, that, 

 on some occasions, new and imporiant facts may noi^be 

 brought to lioht by means of processes conducted upon an 

 extensive scale, which would not admit oi being reduced 

 to a small compass. I only mean to assert, that such in- 

 stances are comparatively but rare ; and that no philippic 

 against the examination of small objects— no appeal to old 

 masters — no slight upon modern improvements, ought to 

 deter chemical inquirers from adopting methods which 

 some of our contemporaries have employed with so nuich 

 utility and success. 



Amongst other inaccuracies in the critique which has 

 given rise to these remarks, my paper on dropsical fluids 

 has been represented as being the joint work ot Dr. Wol- 

 laston and myself; for which supposition there was no other 

 authority than a note in the paper in question, in which I 

 acknowledged my obligations to Dr. Wollaston for the 

 inforrnation and assistance which I have on this and other 

 occasions, derived fiom his kindness. I need not say how 

 hif^hly I should have been flattered by such an association; 

 hut 1 think it due to him to slate, not only that he had no 

 share in the general itiqiiny, but that he did not even see 

 the paper in (lueslion previous to its publication. 



1 cannot retrain Ifoni noticing, amongst Dr. Pearson's 

 remarks, another kind of licence which appears to me 

 still less warrantable. I allude to the practice of quoting 

 in italics, or placing between inverted conunas, words or 



phrases 



