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5th.  IIydrils  embrace  the  organic  alkaloids,  artificial  and  natural,  and 
those  radicals  containing  metals  as  Kakodyl,  Stibmsethyl,  etc. 
6th.  Complex  organic  substances,  non-nitrogenous,  as  tannic  acid,  bitter 
neutral  principles,  the  starchy,  ligneous  and  gummy  and  saccharine  sub- 
stances, coloring  matters,  etc.,  and  nitrogenous,  as  protein  substances,  gela- 
tin, animal  tissues,  etc. 
7th.  Products  of  decomposition,  as  ulmin,  humin,  etc. 
In  the  forgoing  sketch  of  the  "  Principles  of  Dr.  Lowig,  the  reader  may 
see  how  far  he  is  disposed  to  carry  the  Theory  of  Radicals,  but  the  book 
should  be  read  to  appreciate  his  reasons  and  to  ascertain  on  what  kind  of 
evidence  his  hypotheses  are  erected.  In  the  incipient  state  of  all  exact 
sciences,  hypotheses  must  be  employed  ;  they  are  the  scaffolding  of  the  fu- 
ture system  ;  yet  the  true  philosopher  carefully  keeps  in  view  their  auxiliary 
nature,  and  avoids  confounding  them  with  ascertained  truth.  We  advise 
every  chemical  student  to  read  the  book  carefully,  as  it  will  amply  repay 
the  time  so  devoted,  and  suggest  many  trains  of  thought  of  use  in  his 
course  of  study. 
Elements  of  Chemistry ;  for  the  use  of  Colleges ,  Academies  and  Schools.  By  M. 
V.  Regnault.  Illustrated  by  nearly  700  wood  culs.  Translated  from  the 
French  by  T.  Forrest  Betton,  M.  D.,  M.  A.  N.  S.,  Fellow  of  the  College  of 
Physicians,  Philada,  &c,  and  Edited,  with  notes,  by  James  C.  Booth, 
Melter  and  Refiner.  U.  S.  Mint,  and  William  L.  Faber,  Metallurgist  and 
Mining  Engineer.  Second  edition  :  Philada.,  Clark  and  Hesser :  1853. 
2  vols.  oct.  pp.  1475. 
Chemistry  has  become  an  all-pervading  power  in  the  economy  of  modern 
civilization  ;  the  universal  hand-maiden  to  the  arts  and  sciences.  There  are 
none  of  these  so  refined,  so  abstract  or  so  practical,  that  it  cannot  lend  its 
aid.  It  is  the  grand  solver  of  knotty  problems — the  umpire  appealed  to  when 
difficulties  beset  the  artist  and  manufacturer,  and  in  proportion  as  it  has  been 
cultivated,  has  the  material  progress  of  nations  advanced.  As  the  developer 
of  natural  resources,  chemistry  peculiarly  addresses  itself  to  the  American 
people.  With  priceless  hoards  of  natural  wealth  stored  away  in  our  moun- 
tains and  vallies,  with  a  soil  and  climate  embracing  the  whole  range  of  tem- 
perate and  many  tropical  productions,  with  a  people  full  of  energy  and  en- 
terprise, and  demanding  its  employment,  the  United  States  of  America  should 
encourage  the  cultivation  of  practical  chemistry  by  National  and  State  pa- 
tronage. The  right  time  may  not  have  come;  yet  the  Government  should 
look  forward  to  the  establishment  of  a  National  polytechnic  school,  wherein 
chemistry  as  a  practical  science  should  be  thoroughly  taught  by  the  best 
teachers  that  a  liberal  remuneration  will  draw  from  our  own  or  the  labora- 
tories of  Europe  ;  and  at  a  price  to  students  that  would  open  its  doors  to  that 
extensive  class  of  young  men  whofse  means  are  limited,  yet  whose  intellec- 
tual longing  and  talents  induce  to  aim  at  a  career  of  higher  usefulness. 
These  reflections  have  been  called  up  by  glancing  over  the  work  of  M. 
