INTRODUCTION. 23 



cations. It cannot be entirely neglected, by any one who would 

 claim an elevated rank in physical science. The accounts of the 

 most valuable researches and discoveries are, to a degree disgraced, 

 by being clothed in a coarse and slovenly style, and communicated 

 without good arrangement, and without logical clearness and pre- 

 cision. It sometimes happens, that able philosophers and mathe- 

 maticians are accomplished scholars, and then the utmost finish is 

 given to the solid structures of physical science. 



No one who has had opportunity to appreciate their attractions, 

 and their utility, can be insensible to the advantages and pleasures of 

 polite literature, and of miscellaneous knowledge presenting as they 

 do, a rich field for investigation, and affording to the student, ample 

 remuneration. 



But ars longa, vita brevis, meets us at every turn ; and, although 

 the general student, in the regular progress of a university education 

 is of course, made acquainted with the outlines of the principal 

 branches of human knowledge ; in after life, we are obliged to say, 

 non omnes omnia possumus, while reluctantly giving up the rest, we 

 select and pursue some one art, science, or practical profession. 



But our previous efforts are not lost ; the commune vinculum 

 which connects all the departments of human knowledge, still re- 

 mains unbroken ; the intellect which has been enriched by the ele- 

 ments of science and literature, continues to shed a portion of their 

 lustre over its own particular pursuit, and occasionally to aid, by use- 

 ful suggestions and partial efforts, those who are travelling upon some 

 other route. 



Knowledge is said to be power ; it is indeed, power of the most 

 comprehensive and efficient kind. 



Knowledge is nothing but the just and full comprehension of the 

 real nature of things, physical, intellectual, and moral ; it is co-ex- 

 tensive with the universe of being ; reaching back to the dawn of 

 time, and forward to its consummation. 



It is inseparable from the incomprehensible existence of the creator, 

 who alone intuitively sees the whole. Human life is sufficient for the 

 acquisition of only a very small part of universal knowledge, and the 

 greatest and the most enlightened mind, measuring its acquirements 

 by this standard, will find no cause for pride. 



It is useful when we are about entering on the study of a 

 particular science, and especially of one of so great extent and 

 interest as chemistry, to remember that there are many other inter- 

 esting and useful branches of knowledge, and that we always assume 

 too much, if we claim all importance and every attraction, for a par- 

 ticular pursuit. This is necessarily the feeling of every one who 

 insulates himself within his own peculiar dominion ; but he who takes 

 a comprehensive survey of human knowledge, will learn to appre- 



