1819.] Analyses of Books. 211 



novelty adds an exquisite seasoning to every investigation, it is 

 not sufficiently powerful of itself, at least in most persons, to 

 continue this activity during the whole period of human exist- 

 ence. Curiosity becomes more and more blunted as we advance 

 in life. Objects which once possessed for us the most exquisite 

 charms, when stripped of the gay colouring thrown over them 

 by novelty, cease to excite our attention. He who surveys the 

 same prospect every day, however finished the landscape may be, 

 gradually neglects it, or sees it without emotion. Hence the 

 importance of the love of distinction, a desire which seldom palls 

 upon the senses, but generally continues equally strong, if it 

 does not in reality rather increase in strength to the latest period 

 of life. Were a man confined for life in a desert island, it is not 

 likely, however great abilities he possessed, that he would devote 

 much of his time to the cultivation of knowledge. Even an 

 Archimedes in such a situation would relinquish his calculations. 

 What gratification could he derive from his discoveries when he 

 had no one to communicate them to, no one to admire them, and 

 when he had the mortifying certainty that they would perish 

 with himself? Man, as far as his improvement in knowledge is 

 concerned, is essentially a social being. 



Hence it is of the greatest consequence for the progress of 

 any science when it becomes popular; when it excites the 

 attention of a great number of individuals ; when it becomes a 

 general object of study. The number of real improvers of it, 

 perhaps, is not greatly augmented ; but the theatre on which 

 they act is greatly enlarged. A greater degree of emulation is 

 excited ; a more energetic activity is ensured. Their labours 

 are more accurately appreciated, and more liberally rewarded ; 

 and they are assured of that reward which possesses for them 

 the greatest of all charms ; they are raised to distinction among 

 their contemporaries, and handed down to posterity with immor- 

 tal honour. 



I have been induced to make these observations from the 

 nature of the work, the title of which stands at the head of this 

 article. Its object is not to enlarge the bounds of chemistry, nor 

 to introduce any new views deduced from facts already known ; 

 but to render chemical experiments a source of amusement, and 

 thus to draw even the idle and the indolent to this brilliant and 

 fascinating science. The intention is laudable, and we sincerely 

 hope that the author has succeeded in his object. The ex- 

 periments selected are sufficiently varied and striking to 

 constitute a very amusing exercise to young men ; while they 

 are almost all easily performed, as neither costly materials nor 

 expensive apparatus are required for them. The descriptions of 

 them are distinct, and most of the explanations satisfactory. 

 The experiments are 103 in number ; and being all unconnected 

 with each other, it is impossible to convey any idea of them to 

 the reader except by transcribing one or two of them by way of 

 specimen. 



o2 



