PREFACE 



XI 



The printer's mark sufficiently intimates the design of 

 continuing this collection. At present there are but few 

 materials for a second volume; the continuation of the 

 experiments on Prussian blue, and a few other papers of 

 very recent date, being, I believe, all that the author has 

 published, except the contents of this volume, and the 

 Treatise on Air and Fire. I can only, therefore, promise to 

 gratify the impatience of the public as soon as possible, and 

 shall be willing to publish the second volume in three or 

 four different parts, of which the first shall appear as soon 

 as the author himself shall have supplied materials for a 

 few sheets. 



The essays of Mr. Scheele have been lately published 

 in France, with notes by Mr. Morveau ; but as I have not 

 hitherto been able to procure that translation, I could not 

 borrow any assistance from it; but whatever it contains, 

 more than the present, of useful or curious matter, shall 

 be added in the second volume. 



THOMAS BEDDOES. 



EDINBURGH, February 12, 1786. 



P.S. Having fortunately procured the second part of 

 the paper on Prussian blue since this preface went to the 

 press, I have subjoined it at the end of the present volume, 

 that the reader might not be left in a disagreeable state 

 of suspense by the half-finished discussion of so interesting 

 a subject. 



