The elements of experimental chemistry (Volume 1).

  • Henry, William, 1774-1836.
Date:
Nov. 1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elements of experimental chemistry (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    perceive nor appreciate. The man of science, in these instances, sees more deeply, and by availing himself of a minute and acci- dental difference, contributes at once to the promotion of his own interest, and to the advancement of his art. But it is the union of theory with practice that is now recom- mended. And, when theoretical knowledge and practical skill are happily combined in the same person, the intellectual power cf man appears in its full perfection, and fits him equally to con- duct, with a masterly hand, the details of ordinary business, and to contend successfully with the untried difficulties of new and perplexing situations. In conducting the former, mere experi- ence may frequently be a sufficient guide; but experience and speculation must be combined to prepare us for the latter.* Expert men, says Lord Bacon, can execute and judge of particulars one by one ; but the general counsels, and the plots, and the marshalling of affairs, come best from those that art- learned. This recommendation to artists, of the acquirement of scien- tific knowledge, is happily sanctioned by the illustrious success* in our own days, of the application of theory to the practice of cer- tain arts. Few persons are ignorant of the benefits, that have re- sulted to the manufactures of this country, from the inventions of Mr. Watt and Mr. Wedgwood ; both of whom have been not less benefactors of philosophy than eminent for practical skill. The former, by a clear insight into the doctrine of latent heat, resulting, in a great measure, from his own acuteness and patience of in- vestigation, and seconded by an unusual share of mechanical skill, has perhaps brought the steam-engine to its acme of perfection. Mr. Wedgwood, aided by the possession of extensive chemical knowledge, made rapid advances in the improvement of the art of manufacturing porcelain ; and, besides raising himself to great opulence and distinction, has created for his country a source of most profitable and extensive industry. In an art, also, which is nearly connected with the manufactures of our own town, and the improvement of which must, therefore, come home to our bu- siness and bosoms, we owe unspeakable obligations to two spec- ulative chemists—to Scheele, who first discovered the oxygenized muriatic acid: and to Berthollet, who first instructed us in its ap- plication to the art of bleaching. * Stewart's Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind) chap, iv fcct.7.