An introductory discourse [on the principles of chemical science], delivered in the amphitheatre of the London Institution. On Wednesday the 5th of May, 1819 / by William Thomas Brande.

  • Brande, William Thomas, 1788-1866.
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory discourse [on the principles of chemical science], delivered in the amphitheatre of the London Institution. On Wednesday the 5th of May, 1819 / by William Thomas Brande. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    happy emotions which a Nation rising to eminence is apt to produce in a liberal and humane mind : they have talked to us of the declension of our natural energies, and have told us, that all our struggles and exertions though tending to temporary splendour, will ultimately be involved in a desolate abyss; that the productions of age, can stand in no competition with the vigorous sallies of youth. From the days of Homer, this has been the burthen of the poet’s song, and the opinion has, in many cases, received the de¬ liberate sanction of the Philosopher. Ad¬ verting to this subject, a late eloquent wri¬ ter* * has observed, that although opinions mostly obtain credit by their antiquity, this opinion, in particular, derives no advantage from that circumstance; on the contrary, that very antiquity is the most decisive proof that it is wholly unfounded. If, says he, the human race had declined from its pristine vigour between the period of the Trojan war and the time of Homer, to what a degree of imbecility ;nuist it have fallen in the reign of Augustus ! “ And if, in like manner, the ---—— ■ — ■ *■ -■ ■■■■111 * Mr. Roscoe.