196 HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY. 



the details of the diffusion of that doubtful know- 

 ledge which preceded this more certain science. 

 Our history of chemistry is, therefore, here at an 

 end. I have, as far as I could, executed my task ; 

 which was, to mark all the great steps of its ad- 

 vance, from the most unconnected facts and the 

 most imperfect speculations, to the highest gene- 

 ralization at wJiich chemical philosophers have yet 

 arrived. 



Yet it will appear to our purpose to say a few 

 words on the connexion of this science with those 

 of which we are next to treat ; and that I now pro- 

 ceed to do. 



