246 MODERN SCIENCE READER 



which, a very few years ago, were either ignored or derided. 

 Especially as regards the constitution of matter, ideas have 

 come to be prevalent which may literally be termed "revo- 

 lutionary," since they curve backward irresistibly toward 

 those entertained two thousand years ago. Thus the dogma 

 of the immutability of material species can no longer be 

 upheld. The chemical elements are subject to the ravages 

 of time, and engender, through their decay, other sub- 

 stances equally entitled, to all seeming, with themselves, to 

 be described as "elementary." These processes, however, 

 which the alchemists of old sought to command, we are con- 

 tent to observe. They will not be hurried or controlled; 

 they "gang their ain gate," irrespectively of laboratory 

 conditions ; all that can be done is to study the modes, and 

 measure the rate of their undeviable advance. A few 

 buoyant speculators are, indeed, to be found who forecast 

 the provision of means to regulate at will, and accelerate 

 indefinitely, radio-active transformations. When they be- 

 come available, the new alchemy will be a working concern, 

 perhaps even a profitable branch of business. But for the 

 present, Nature keeps the management of this particular 

 department entirely in her own hands. Man looks on with 

 hungry eyes, but his interference is barred out. 



The history of alchemy is one long mystification. It 

 deals largely with fictitious personages. Of others, who did 

 really "walk about the orb" in the close company of "fool- 

 ery," it narrates the apocryphal adventures. Its leading 

 authorities are mythical. Illustrious names are audaciously 

 employed to lend some color of authenticity to its menda- 

 cious annals. These form, indeed, a jungle of fraud and 

 falsehood. What was true in them was often purposely 

 obscured, since the arcana of the "great art" were too 

 sacred to be openly divulged. Its hierophants were veiled 

 in shadow ; its origin was indicated by dim traditions, trans- 

 mitted by writers acquiescent and uncritical, if not un- 

 candid. 



M. Berthelot, in the work quoted at the head of this arti- 



