^90 Uecapittdation. 



any comparable degree, so much cultivated. F(A' 

 this prevalence of the study of natural history we 

 are perhaps indebted to the genius, labours, and 

 influence of no two individuals so much as to 

 those of Linnaeus, and the count de Buffon. From 

 1770 till 1801 may be styled the period of Che- 

 mistry ; that science having given rise to more 

 iiumerons' experiments and publications during 

 this period than any other. Those who had most 

 influence in brinc;in2: into vosrue this branch of 

 physical science, and conferring upon it that im- 

 portance 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- 

 ing the period in question, appear to have been 

 cultivated with unusual ardour in particular 

 countries. In Mechanical and Mathematical Phi- 

 losophy^ it is not easy to say to which of the scien- 

 tific nations 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 compara- 

 tive merit. In Natural History, the different na- 

 tions may be represented as standing in the fol- 

 lowing rank. First, France; second, Germany; 

 third, Sweden ; fourth, Great Britain ; fifth, Swit- 

 zerland, Italy, &c. In Medicine, Great Britain, 

 beyond all doubt, has long held the first place ; 

 though it must be acknowledged, that the pro- 

 gress of medical science in France, Germany, and 

 the United States, towards the close of the cen- 

 tury, deserves to be noticed as very remarkablt^ 

 and promising. In Geography, Great Bi-itam_an?d 



