214 THE EAKLY HISTORY OF [CHAP. IV. 



Chemistry was always a primary object of the Insti- 

 tution. A laboratory was therefore erected at an early 

 period, and was furnished with such apparatus as was im- 

 mediately requisite ; but, as the Institution was then in a 

 nascent state, great attention was paid to economy in the 

 chemical department, and although much was in reality 

 wanted to render the laboratory complete, yet nothing more 

 was expended on this part than was absolutely necessary 

 to the immediate demands of the lectures delivered in the In- 

 stitution. On this account the laboratory has remained in a 

 state inferior to. that which might justly be expected in such 

 a liberal and splendid establishment ; but, as some extension 

 may now be expected in a department so instructive, so 

 interesting, and so eminently useful, the following intended 

 regulations are submitted to the consideration of the Com- 

 mittee of Managers : 1st. That the workshop lately occu- 

 pied by Mr. Feetham shall in future be annexed to the 

 laboratory. 2nd. The forge to be adapted to chemical 

 purposes. 3rd. An air-furnace and reverberatory furnace 

 to be built. 4th. Presses and shelves to be added to 

 contain vessels and chemical preparations. 



This laboratory will be equal, or indeed superior, to any 

 in this country, and probably to any on the Continent. Such 

 a laboratory, therefore, will accord with the respectability 

 and liberal views of this Institution, which, 011 the other 

 hand, may henceforward regard this part of its establish- 

 ment not only as very conducive to its honour, but as likely 

 to produce real and substantial advantages. But to procure 

 these some further regulations appear necessary : 1. Crude 

 materials to prepare pure products should be bought. 2. 

 The Professor shall be assisted by a person well versed in 

 practical chemistry, who shall be expressly engaged to 

 attend the laboratory and assist in the chemical lectures. 

 3. Operations in the laboratory should be taught. The 

 Institution will derive therefrom honour and profit, and, as 

 far as chemistry is concerned, that one of its chief purposes 



