Nof/'ces rexpecli/ig Nexv Books. 59 



We shall not dwell at any length on the numerous proofs which 

 might be adduced to support an opinion which is, we believe, uni- 

 versal in the chemical world, — that the author of the present work 

 possesses every requisite which the execution of the work demanded. 

 We cannot, however, refrain from informing the tyro (and he only 

 needs the information) that to Mr. Faraday are owing many of tlie 

 most brilliant and valuable discoveries with vvhicli the science of 

 Chemistry has of Jate years been enriched: by his experiments we 

 have been taught, that various aeriform bodies, which were previ- 

 ously considered as permanently elastic, are reducible to the liquid 

 state ; and to him also the philosophical world is indebted for the 

 first instrument for exhibiting electro- magnetic rotation. 



That a work of t!ie present kind was wanted, we think every one 

 must admit, who has witnessed the attempts of a tyro to perform 

 even the most simple experiments proposed by chemical authors ; 

 and this difficulty arises not merely from a deficiency of directions, 

 but from such as are inadequate or improper: — Take as an instance 

 of this the directions given by one of the most distinguished che- 

 mists of the present day, who in preparing oxygen advises that the 

 oxide of manganese and sulphuric acid should be mixed in the 

 glass retort by means of a glass rod ; an operation which in nine 

 cases out of ten would terminate in perforating the bottom of the 

 retort. 



The objects which the author has in view, are clearlj'^ and con- 

 cisely stated in a few pages of introduction : he then divides his 

 work into twenty-four sections, in all of which he has displayed that 

 adaptation of means to ends which constitutes power, and evinced 

 the patience of research and accuracy of observation, which are 

 shewn in his various and excellent papers contained in the Philo- 

 sophical Transactions, and the Journal of the Royal Institution. 



Our limits will not permit us even to enumerate the subjects of 

 the sections which the work contains, and we find it extremely diffi- 

 cult to select any one part in preference to another, for the purpose 

 of exhibiting the author's talents for invention and description ; for 

 although the work is elucidated by numerous wood-cuts, it will be 

 found that the instruments which they are intended to represent, 

 are mostly original, and not such as have appeared in every che- 

 rnical work from the origin of pneumatic chemistry to the present 

 day. 



We cannot, perhaps, more fairly exhibit Mr. Faraday's method 

 of treating the various subjects which constitute his work, than by 

 selecting what relates to a very interesting part of that branch of 

 the science which he terms tuhe chemistry, and t>o(n this the reader 

 will have an opportunity of judging of the minute accuracy «nd 

 nice observation that chariicterize every part. 



" Frequent occasion has occurred in the preceding parts of this 

 volume for the description of apparatus formed partly or altogether 

 of glass tube. The object of this section is to show the important 

 uses of apparatus of that description. The facility with which it 

 supplies the absence oi' many complicated instruments ; the conse- 

 quent economy and readiness of ciiemical practice ; and the pecu- 



I 2 liar 



