103 Chemical Philosopliy, 



before. By the ancient cultivators of this science 

 it was chiefly regarded as an object of curiosity, 

 or as a source of amusement. But in the hands of 

 later chemists it has been converted into a most 

 instructive, interesting, and invaluable science. 

 There is scarcely an art of human life which it is 

 not fitted to subserve; scarcely a department of 

 human inquiry or labour, either for health, plea- 

 sure, ornament, or profit, which it may not be 

 made, in its present improved state, eminently to 

 promote. 



To the husbandman this science furnishes prin- 

 ciples and agents of inestimable value. It teaches 

 him Xh^ food of plants; the choice and use of ma- 

 Tiures ; and the best means of promoting the 

 vigour, growth, productiveness, and preservation 

 of the various vegetable tribes. To the manufac- 

 turer chemistry has lately become equally fruitful 

 of instruction and assistance. In the arts of hrezv- 

 i7ig, tamiing, dyeing, and bleaching, its doctrines are 

 precious guides. In making soap, glass, pottery, 

 and all metallic wares, its principles are daily ap- 

 plied, and are capable of still more useful appli- 

 cation as they become better understood. Indeed, 

 every mechanic art, in the different processes of 

 which heat, moisture, solution, mixture, or fer- 

 mentation are necessary, must ever keep pace in 

 improvement with this branch of philosophy. To 

 the physician this science is of still greater value, 

 and is daily growing in importance. He learns 

 from it to compound his medicines; to disarm 

 poisons of their force; to adjust remedies to dis- 

 eases; and to adopt the general means of preserv- 

 ing health. To the student of natural history ih^ 

 doctrines of chemistry furnish instruction and as- 

 sistance at every step of his course; as many of 

 his inquiries can be prosecuted with success only 

 through the medium of careful analysis. To the 



