210 CONCLUSION. 



Within the degree of precision attained in. the quantita- 

 tive analytical work done in the best laboratories by the best 

 chemists of the nineteenth century, the coincidence was 

 perfect. 



That proves the statement made in general terms at the 

 head of this closing chapter. 



The very fact that practically all modern analysts have 

 done their work as opponents to the law affirmed and 

 established by us upon the very experimental determinations 

 of these chemists, gives a greatly enhanced value to our 

 demonstration. 



Let us for a moment turn to the excellent laboratory 

 work of Crookes, taken by himself as absolutely and per- 

 manently establishing the absence of any commensurability 

 in the atomic weights of chemical elements. 



It will be remembered that every circumstance and 

 feature of this laboratory work, when freed from errors and 

 false data of reduction, proclaims the conclusion placed at 

 the head of this chapter. 



The Maxim of Chee in Lun-Gnee. 



There is one accusation of " selection " made by Crookes 

 in his denunciatory editorial of 1896, to which I had written 

 a lengthy and naturally a very caustic refutation ; but I have 

 withdrawn this very interesting and entertaining article, and 

 shall simply make Crookes feel the force of the general 

 argument, given as closing part of this work, without refer- 

 ence whatever to Mr. Crookes individually. 



If Sir William Crookes is able to understand, he will 

 understand, as one of my readers. If he is not able, or 

 perchance still unwilling to understand, it does not seem 

 necessary for me to take any notice thereof. 



I shall, in this matter, follow the old maxim of the 

 Chinese Sage CHEE, given in I, 8 of Lun-Gnee: 



<( Who do not strive to learn, to them I do not unfold my 

 et ideas; who open not their minds, those I do not instruct. 

 " When I describe one corner, if the pupil comprehend not 

 " the other three, I do not repeat my instruction.'* 



