414 Recapitulation. 



tions during this period than any other. Thos<^ 

 who had most influence in bringing into vogue this 

 branch of physical science, and conferring upon it 

 that importance and extent which it has gained, are 

 Scheele, Klaproth, Lavoisier, and Priestley. 



Upon a review of the foregoing sheets, it may 

 also be remarked, that the physical sciences, dur- 4 

 ing the period in question, appear to have been 

 cultivated with unusual ardour in particular coun- 

 tries. In Mechanical and Mathematical Philosophy i 

 it is not easy to say to which of the scientific na- 

 tions of Europe the palm of superiority ought to 

 be awarded. In Chemistry, France is doubtless 

 entitled to the first place. After her, Germany, 

 Great-Britain, &c. follow in comparative merit. 

 In Natural History, the different nations may be 

 represented as standing in the following rank. 

 First France, second Germany, third Sweden^ 

 fourth Great-Britain, fifth Switzerland, Italy, &c. 

 &c. In Medicine, Great-Britain, beyond all doubt, 

 has long held the first place, though it must be ac- 

 knowledged, that the progress of medical science 

 in France, Germany, and the United States, to- 

 wards the close of the century, deserves to be no- 

 ticed as very remarkable and promising. In Geo- 

 graphy, Great-Britain and France must divide the 

 larger portion of the mass of honours between 

 them. In Agriculture, the highest praise is un- 

 questionably due to Great-Britain. And in all 

 those scientific researches which bear upon Arts, 

 Manufactures, and Economy, the last mentioned 

 country must also be pronounced to stand first in 

 order. 



3. The eighteenth century may, with propriety, 

 be styled, the age of economical science. In 

 all preceding ages, science, and the economical 

 arts were too generally viewed as unconnected. 

 The philosopher thought it beneath his dignity t© 



