96 
MR. MORTON’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE 
Dr. Price, of Guildford, professed to believe in the transmutation of 
metals. In 1805, there died in his chambers in Barnard’s Inn, in 
London, a professor of the same art ; and as lately as 1833, Jean 
Claude Chabert, a Frenchman, was deeply engaged in the disco- 
very of the philosopher’s stone. You may, however, be pleased to 
hear that the discovery has at length been made, and that the 
power of the talisman is expressed in one word, — industry. 
The science of chemistry, I think it has been shewn, thus had 
its origin in alchemy, and was much indebted to it; but in 1633 
the Royal Society of London was incorporated, and thence arose 
the attempts to overthrow these and other equally ridiculous doc- 
trines. The French and continental philosophers co-operated in this 
laudable work, and from these scattered but numerous torches a 
blaze of light has proceeded, which has dispelled every mist, and 
cleared the way to truth. 
I have not ventured to notice the progress which the science has 
made in this our day, for the time would fail me ; nor am I able to 
do common justice to it. Within these few years more discoveries 
have been made in it than in as many antecedent centuries. Entirely 
new views have been established of its laws ; while the facts, as 
they have presented themselves, have awakened and received deep 
investigation. Indeed it may be said, that we know not whither its 
pursuit may lead, nor what a more perfect acquaintance with it may 
produce. 
Chemistry, now become an experimental science, relies for its 
advancement on facts. The fancied theories which once deluded 
are no longer entertained. The cause of the phenomena that pre- 
sent themselves may be inexplicable, but the effects are seen; 
and, being seen, are rested on by its votaries. This favoured isle 
has produced a few bright suns, some of whom have set in glory. 
Among them rank a Black, a Brande, a Crawford, a Dalton, a 
Davv, a Farradav, a Henry, a Turner, a Wollaston, and many 
others. From these have emanated, as from so many centres, as 
many truths ; and by them have been developed the immense mass 
of facts on which has been built the noble science of general che- 
mistry. It must not be thought by you that this science is limited 
in its application. It is the very reverse ; for it teaches the pro- 
perties of the elementary bodies composing this our globe and 
all that is upon it. It inquires into the powers which affect, and 
the laws that preside over, their union. It examines the pro- 
portions in which they combine, and the mode of separating them 
when combined; and it endeavours to apply such knowledge to the 
explanation of natural phenomena, as well as to useful purposes in 
the arts and sciences. 
Such being its objects, it necessarily becomes a branch, and blends 
