Of the Light manifested in Combustion. 223 



researches concerning its supposed affinities and com- 

 binations. 



These investigations are connected with appearances 

 so brilliant and fascinating that it is no wonder that 

 they should often have engaged the attention of cu- 

 rious inquirers ; but experience has abundantly shown 

 how fruitless these researches have hitherto been. 



If light were in fact a substance, as has been 

 supposed, it seems highly probable that means would 

 long since have been found to discover where and 

 how it exists ; but if it be nothing more than a blow 

 given to the eye by the repercussion of an ethereal 

 fluid which touches that organ, and at the same time 

 every other body in the universe, it is evident that all 

 attempts to discover it a state of combination must be 

 vain. 



Nobody, I imagine, ever thought of searching for 

 sound in a fulminating powder. Is it more reason- 

 able to search there for the light which accompanies 

 the combustion of those substances? But, whatever 

 may be the opinions of philosophers respecting the 

 nature of light, no doubts can be entertained respect- 

 ing the usefulness of discoveries which enable us to 

 produce it with economy and to manage it with 

 skill. 



The methods and instruments hitherto employed 

 in procuring and distributing light are certainly capa- 

 ble of considerable improvement. The subject is of 

 very great importance to mankind, and on that ac- 

 count is highly deserving the attention of those who 

 take pleasure in contributing to the progress of useful 

 science. The investigation of this subject is likewise 

 very entertaining on account of the many beautiful 



