Chemical recreations: a series of amusing ... experiments ... To which are prefixed, first lines of chemistry, etc / [Anon].

  • Griffin, John Joseph, 1802-1877
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Chemical recreations: a series of amusing ... experiments ... To which are prefixed, first lines of chemistry, etc / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    holds out more interesting subjects of research, and none affords more striking proofs of the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator of the universe. A machine constructed by human art, is admired in proportion to the simplicity of its contrivance, the extent of its usefulness, and the niceness of its adaptations. But the works of man sink into nothing when brought into comparison with the works of nature. When examining the former, every step of our progress is obscured with comparative clumsiness and defect: in contemplating the latter, we behold perfection rise on perfection, and more exquisite wonders still meet- ing our view. It is the merit of Chemistry, that by its aid we are enabled to take a minuter survey of the great system of the universe. And, so far as our limited powers can comprehend it, the whole is nicely balanced and ad- justed, and all its changes tend to the most beneficial pur- seeming imperfections and defects, a closer inspection points out to be real excellencies, In all the singular and surprising changes which everywhere present themselves, the more closely we observe and examine them, the more we shall admire the simple means by which they are ac- complished, and the intelligent design and perfect wisdom displayed in the beneficial ends to which they are directed. 9. Chemistry is a science that is founded entirely upon experiment ; and no person can understand it unless he performs such experiments as verify its fundamental truths, The hearing of lectures, and the reading of books, will never benefit him who attends to nothing else; for Che- mistry can only be studied to advantage practically. One experiment, well-conducted, and carefully observed by the student, from first to last, will afford more knowledge than the mere perusal of a whole volume. It may be ad- ded to this, that chemical operations are, in general, the most interesting that could possibly be devised—Reader ! what more is requisite to induce you to MAKE EXPERIMENTS? 10. It has been found, that all the marvellous diversity of appearance under which bodies are presented to the eye, and the changes of state to which they are incessantly sub-