20H Mineralogical and Chemical 



Nature having been liberal in the distribution of her 

 favours through the whole extent of this continent, it is 

 only to be lamented, that her productions have not been 

 examined with that attention which they deserve. But 

 as the knowledge of chemistry becomes more generally 

 diffused, it is natural to expect that this science will here- 

 after be applied, not only to the improvement of the arts, 

 but to the elucidation of many of the productions of na- 

 ture. 



It will readily be allowed, that no subject is more in- 

 teresting than an investigation into the nature and pro- 

 perties of mineral waters : but though no country, per- 

 haps, can claim a greater proportion of useful and valu- 

 able springs than America, still the qualities of these are, 

 as yet, but imperfectly known or described. Many of 

 them have already grown into notice through the com- 

 mon consent of popular opinion ; they have thus become 

 a fashionable resort, and are used, without distinction, 

 by the invalid of every description. While the physi- 

 cian is unacquainted with the qualities of these waters, it 

 is obvious, that he can never prescribe them with judg- 

 ment ; and it is equally apparent, that the promiscuous 

 and too general use of them must be frequently attend- 

 ed with danger, which can only be avoided by a perfect 

 knowledge of their nature and properties. It is to- be 

 regretted that the scientific and practical physician can- 

 not always find leisure for such investigations : confined, 

 as he must be, to the circle of a large city, he is unabk- 

 to visit those springs at the fountain. But if the general 

 properties of them are pointed out to him, by the experi- 



