On Chemical Philosophy. 1 1 



extensive that it would be utterly impossible to state them in 

 this place. To trace the connexion of words with each other, 

 their relation to science and mythology, and all this connected 

 v\'ith the men of ancient times, is too alluring, too important, and 

 too mighty a subject to enter upon lightly — at any moment and 

 in any place. 1 say this for the sake of asserting, that what I 

 have said about others, or about names and definitions,has arisen 

 from feelings and motives very different from that of the vain, 

 flippant, carping, fastidious and wanton spirit of criticism, than 

 which nothing can be more contemptible ; but from a conviction 

 that no man has a right to control or withstand that of truth. 

 In the mean time I shall only remark on this subject, that I con- 

 ceive the Arabians, gathering their notions from Eastern parts 

 of the world, were led to believe that, as the power expressed by 

 the word c/iamiah (to burn) was that which pervaded Nature 

 and produced all its transformations, they could, by discovering 

 its secret principles of operation, perform any transmutation they 

 chose ; and hence they called it, by way of distinction, akhamiah. 

 Indeed, in the present day, notwithstanding the partial defini- 

 tion given of this science, and its affected separation from other 

 branches of natural knowledge, every description we have of its 

 powers, its objects, and its applications, describes it not as an in- 

 sulated portion of human knowledge, but as that, the professed 

 object of which is to remove the veil from the face of Nature; to 

 exhibit the nature, properties, and changes of matter; and to 

 make us acciuainted with that wonderful power which produces 

 them. Here are the elements of science ! Here is the centre 

 and circumference of a mighty circle wherein all science is in- 

 cluded. 



Essay II. 

 I come now to the second division of our subject, that of At- 

 tractive Agencies; a name which I have chosen, and under 

 which I class Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism, Caloric 

 and Light ; because, should it in the mean time be objected, 

 that they are not mere effects and ph<enomeiia, as I conceive 

 they are, arising from the operations of one power on matter 

 variously modified, and placed in all possible circumstances ; it 

 will nevertheless be admitted, that they are powers so different 

 to those things commonly called substances; so highly attenu- 

 ated, so universally diffused, of such essential importance in 

 nature, and so invariably and intimately connected with all the 

 jihfenomena of that power we have hitherto called Attraction, 

 that I think the name Attractive Agencies will apply better 

 than any one yet given them, not only as being more apposite to 

 uiv views of their powers and science, but even considered as 



H 4 secondary 



