90 OF THE ORIGIN OF CHEMISTRY. 



. vi. Synopjis of 7'biiigs known in Clcmijlry 

 during tbefirjl Period. 



WE have fecn, very foon after the creation, the 

 invention of fuch arts as laid afterwards the 

 foundation of chemiftry. After the deluge, we 

 have obferved the cultivation of them in Egypt 

 until the devaluation of that empire by the A- 

 rubs. And, although the genuine tenets of na- 

 tural philofophy were fo lludioufly concealed 

 from us; yet fome glimmerings of a theory, e- 

 ftabliihed upon the various phenomena with 

 which they were acquainted, have not efcaped 

 our attention. We have alfo followed out the 

 Scattered traces in other countries, and chiefly 

 have afccrtained the wonderful practical pro- 

 grcfs of the Chinefe. Chcmiitry, then, fccms to 

 by claim to as high an origin nearly as the other 

 fciences; and with refpccl to many, is certain- 

 ly of much greater antiquity. During all this 

 period of near 5000 years, we find Polytheifm 

 every where; but cfpecially among thole nati- 

 ons where chemillry was moll cultivated; and 

 the myfleries of fcicncc and religion were thus 

 perpetually blending. Immediately after the 

 redemption of the world, the followers of the 

 true faith were every where fo hirrafled and per t 

 iccutecl, that they were nerefiarily mgre occu 



pied 



