THE ATMOSPHERE. 



This faithful servant and constant friend is still neg- 

 lected. Few appreciate its importance, none understand 

 all its uses. While every breath furnishes us with fresh 

 and living proof, that the atmosphere is faithful to its 

 trust, we seldom inquire what agent is constantly moving 

 our lungs, or by whom it was provided and fitted for its 

 office. 



How then can we employ an hour more rationally or 

 pleasantly, than in devoting it to this constant companion, 

 and faithful, but neglected friend. 



Before we can understand, or at all appreciate the 

 importance and infinitely varied relations of -this sub- 

 stance which envelopes our globe, we must learn some- 

 thing of its properties and operations what are its in- 

 gredients, and how it acts. 



All the properties and operations of the atmosphere 

 may be classed in two divisions, viz. chemical and me- 

 chanical. Weight and elasticity are the properties by 

 which nearly all the mechanical operations are con- 

 ducted ; and although these operations are literally innu- 

 merable and highly interesting, they must give place on 

 the present occasion, to its not less numerous or interest- 

 ing uses and phenomena conducted by chemical agen- 

 cies. 



Among the infinite, and infinitely varied chemical 

 operations, constantly carried on in the processes of 

 nature and the arts, scarcely one can be found, with 

 which the atmosphere has not some connexion and some 

 agency. It must be understood, however, that in much 

 the greatest number of cases, in which the atmosphere 

 acts as a chemical agent, but one portion of it takes any 

 considerable part. And although this portion consti- 

 tutes but about one fifth of the whole, it fills a greater 

 variety of offices, is more active and more efficient in 

 giving power to other agents, in moving and calming 

 the elements, in preserving order and promoting health 

 and happiness, than almost any other ingredient hitherto 

 discovered in the material universe. 



The name of this most efficient and useful part of the 

 atmosphere, this almost universal agent in nature and the 

 arts, this mover and regulator of other agents, and friend 

 of man, is Oxigen. 



