OF THE ORIGIN OF CHEMISTRY. 3 



Next, the fcnfe and connexion is to be gather- 

 ed from the words, as to the proportion and va- 

 rious modifications : Which conilitutcs Cbcurif- 

 try. 



If then we confidcr thcfc three vafl fields of 

 phenomena and experiment, and thc-fmall num- 

 ber of l hole who have attended to their cultiva- 

 tion ; and if we contemplate the ncecflary fup- 

 ply of felcd apparatus, llie fingular fagacity rc- 

 tjuifitc for militating proper trials and view the 

 unwearied patience, dexterity, and exquiiltc at- 

 tention, in carrying on, repeating, and varying 

 tlie fcvcral proccflcs; and finally, the mature 

 and penetrating judgement required to form a 

 true refult, we fhali ccafe to wonder at the 

 flow ad\anccs of Natural Philofophy. 



Lord Vcrulam juftly remarks, that the hu- 

 man undcrflanding is not a mere faculty of ap- 

 prchcnfion, but is affcclcd more or Icfs by the 

 will and the pufiions. What man illics to be 

 true, thru he caiily believes to be fo. From 

 impatience he rejects every difficult enquiry; 

 irorn pride and arrogance, he difdains the light 

 of.cxperienee, left he fliould appear to be wholly 

 abforbcd. in particulars iubjcd to the fcnfes. 

 He dcfpifes moderate purfuits, bccaufc they li- 

 mit his hope; avoids paradoxes, on account of 

 the oprnionof the vulgar; and flights the beau- 

 tiful difcovcrics of others, from envy. 



The hiilory of Natural Philofophy muft there- 

 fore in z great mcafure confiil of errors, falfe-' 

 A 2 Iwods, 



