410 Mr. Higgins’s Observations on Dr. Murray’s Statement. 
runs through almost the whole of his chapter on Attraction, he 
never mentions my name; and the extract which is the object of 
this paper was in a note at the foot of the page, in order to have 
it detached from the body of his compilation. 
In my early days I happened to embark in controversy on a 
philosophical question of the first importance to chemistry. I had 
at that time to contend with philosophers and gentlemen, who 
had no other object in view but the advancement of science. Far 
from heing envious, they felt a pride to appreciate the labours and 
talents of others. Of late I have had no philosophers to cogtend 
with, nor scientific questions to discuss. The question on which 
T have been occasionally engaged the last four years, is simply 
this, whether the Alomic Sy System be Mr. Dalton’s or mine. From 
the number of evidences on record, nothing could be more readily 
decided than this point, were it not for prejudice and want of re- 
spect for truth and justice; and | believe ignorance also stands 
somewhat in the way, for the most important part of my system 
has been overlooked. 
What can be more glaringly unjust than to bring forward my 
own facts and examples, nearly in the same words, to support 
Mr. Dalton’s pretensions, and those of others? This unparalleled 
ill treatment may be traced through the whole of the publications 
of Drs. Murray and Thomson, particularly so far as relates to the 
Atomic Theory; and I experienced the same shameful treatment 
from those who wrote on the same subject for the Cyclopedias. 
When those gentlemen despise truth and justice they certainly 
can have no love or respect for science. ‘To men who are de- 
termined to act contrarily to their judgement and integrity facts 
are useless, and arguments can no longer avail *. 
As I have brought forward repeatedly and on various occasions 
(more for the sake of science than for any selfish views of my 
own) a number of undenied facts to support my claim, I shall 
now take leave of the subject for ever. 1 have done my duty, 
and leave the public to judge for themselves ; being convinced 
that though many have been imposed on, the deception cannot be 
of long duration. I am, sir, 
Your very humble servant, 
Wituiam Hicerns, 
* T cannot pass over the liberality of Mr. Parkes, who hands over my sy- 
stem to Mr. Dalton. He tells us in his Chemical Catechism (8th edition! 
page 483, 1818) that he felt ‘ desirous, in justice to Mr. Dalton, to say that 
we are indebted to bim for our first ideas respecting this important doctrine, 
on which he has built his Atomic Theory.” Mr. Parkes should first read my 
Comparative View, and study the theory in its original state, before he ven- 
tured to give an opinion on a subject with which he appears to be so slightly 
acquainted. No men speak more loudly. of justice and konowr than those 
who are in the act of committing an outrage against both. 
LXVII. De- 
