12 INTRODUCTION. 



even as a Mnemonic aid, (though of infinite im- 

 portance in this respect to furnish, educationally, a 

 rapid preliminary understanding of Chemical Facts 

 and Laws) but as a profoundly true Scientific 

 Analogue. The Front Elevation of this Edifice is 

 assigned to a significant Grouping of the Non-Metal- 

 lic Substances of Chemistry, in which many minor 

 Analogies are embodied ; and the Foundations and 

 Back-lying portions of the Building are assigned to 

 the more numerous Metals, according to their relative 

 degrees of prominence (or Frontness), or of Obscur- 

 ity (or Downness and Backness). Finally, the Ana- 

 logical Relationship of the Lightning and the Earth 

 to the Electro-Negative and Electro -Positive Char- 

 acters of the Elements is symbolically exhibited in 

 the Diagram, by the Lightning-Flash, painted or 

 drawn as striking the Top-and -Front of the Edifice, 

 and as penetrating it, and passing down and losing 

 itself, by satisfying its attraction, in the Metallic 

 Fundamenta and Posterior portions of the object 

 visited. 



16. This Symbolic Edifice or Temple of the Ele- 

 ments is then presented, we will assume, to learned 

 Specialists of the Old or Duismal Order of Science 

 for their judgment and appreciation. But it is highly 

 probable that they will perceive absolutely nothing 

 of the great leading ideas which the Temple is in- 

 tended to exemplify. They will very likely fasten, 

 instead, their microscopic vision upon certain details 

 in the grouping of the Elements. They may, per- 

 chance, find that exact ratios have been theoretically 



