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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    m excrescencies, and clouded with impuri¬ ties, would have imagined that in this shapeless lump lay concealed so many con. veniences of life as would in time consti¬ tute a great part of the happiness of the world? Yet, by some such fortuitous lique¬ faction was mankind taught to procure a body at once in a high degree solid and transparent, which might admit the light of the sun, and exclude the violence of the wind; which might extend the sight of the philosopher to new ranges of existence, and charm him at one time with the unbounded extent of the material creation, and at an¬ other with the endless subordination of ani¬ mal life ; and, what is yet of more import¬ ance, might supply the decays of nature, and succour old age with subsidiary sight. Thus was the first artificer in glass em¬ ployed, though without his own knowledge or expectation. He was facilitating and prolonging the enjoyment of light, enlarg¬ ing the avenues of science, and conferring the highest and most lasting pleasures ; he was enabling the student to contemplate nature, and the beauty to behold herself.