1820.] Abraham Gotleb Werner. 243 



traps and volcanoes, will convey the name of Werner to the 

 latest posterity. Geognosy, as he formed it, may be considered 

 the philosophy of mineralogy, the fairest, and most perfect half 

 of the philosophy of unorganised nature. Every question which 

 is biarted on this subject, all objects connected with the struc- 

 ture of the earth, and which relate to the masses of which it is 

 composed, are an appropriate exercise for an enlightened mind. 

 Leibnitz, Descartes, Bacon, Burnet, Laplace, and all illustrious 

 men of ancient and modern times, have respected this laborious 

 species of research. 



W ern;r laboured more by his lectures than by his writings, for 

 he considered that the numberless works on mineralogical science, 

 whicli he had consulted, had misled rather than instructed him, 

 their authors appearing as if certain that the utmost extent of 

 ■what was known en this subject was too imperfect for his atten- 

 tion -Science, however, has cause to rejoice that among the 

 finished papers of Werner, which he bequeathed at his death to 

 the Academy of Fiavberg, many well-airanged manuscripts have 

 been found, the publication of which tine legacy remains 

 anxiously to be hoped for. 



While the science which Werner had imposed upon himself as 

 a law continued on his part, his doctrines, so far as they were 

 known, were pirated by others ; and (unchecked by the circum- 

 stance of Werner continuing by frequent changes and improve- 

 ments to separate still further his opinions from theirs,) we have 

 seen ourselves inundated with works relative to his theory, the 

 authors of which did not follow the ideas of their preceptor, 

 however numerous and enlarged they might be, but permitted 

 themselves to indulge in speculations of their own with the most 

 unrestrained freedom ; so that along with what is useful of Wer- 

 ner's, we possess much of what is foreign to him ; and as none 

 of these authors have followed Werner's doctrines in their entire and 

 original purity, none of them possess great value, nor bear the 

 absolute marks of his authority ; while, on the contrary, he has 

 opposed the opinions contained in many of them by strong and 

 decided arguments. 



In England and Italy, where, pi'evious to the time of Werner, 

 mineralogical researches had been less ardently prosecuted than 

 in Germany, the new doctrines very soon found advocates. 

 Kirwan adopted his method, as well as many other proselytes 

 from the established system. Hawkins, Mitchell, and Weaver, 

 formed part of the new school, and the latter published a meri- 

 torious translation of his work upon the external characters of 

 minerals ; and lastly, Prof. Jameson, of Edinburgh, received 

 his education at Frieberg. 



On the side of Italy, Napione extended the doctrines of his 

 master ; and in Denmark, the labours of Wad and Esmark 

 procured him approbation and followers. 



Brochant came from France to receive instructions from 



q2 



