Volume 1

Elements of the theory and practice of chymistry / Translated [by Andrew Reid] from the French of M. Macquer.

  • Macquer, Pierre Joseph, 1718-1784.
Date:
1758
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of the theory and practice of chymistry / Translated [by Andrew Reid] from the French of M. Macquer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    viii PREFACE. Hence arofe that enormous heap, that incom gruous jumble of fads, which fome time ago conftituted all the knowledge of Chymifts. Mod: of them, and efpecially thofe who aftumed the pompous title of Alchymills, were perfuaded that all the Metals were no other than Nature’s rude unfiniftied elfays towards making Gold ; which, by means of due codion in the bowels of the earth, advanced gradually towards maturity, till at lafl: they became perfedly like that beautiful and precious Metal. On this principle, which, if not demonftrably falfe, is at lead utterly deftitute of proof, and un- fupported by a fingle obfervation, they attempted to finifli what Nature had begun, by procuring to the imperfed Metals this much deiired codion. To attain it they made an infinite number of experiments and trials ; which all confpired to deted the falfity of their fyftem, and to fatisfy men of fenfe that the methods they employed were very far from anfwering the purpofe. However, as fads always promote the know¬ ledge of Nature, it happened that thofe experi¬ ments, though quite ufelefs with regard to the end for which they were originally made, proved the occafion of fêveral curious difeoveries. Thefe lucky confequences of their miftaken la¬ bours raifed the courage of the Chymifts, or ra¬ ther Alchymifts, who looked upon every fuch inftance of fuccefs as a new ftep towards the Grand Work, and greatly increafed the fond opinion they entertained of themfelves, and of their Art, which on that account they let up very high above all other Sciences. Nay, they carried this notion of fuperiority fo far, as to hold the reft of mankind unworthy, or incapable, of rifing to fuch fublime knowledge. In confequence thereof Chymiftry became an occult and myfterious Science ; its ex-