Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.Macquer, Pierre Joseph
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Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Macquer, Pierre Joseph
Chemistry -- Early works to 1800
It hath been shewn in the course of this work, that the causes of
almost all the phenomena, which Chymistry exhibits, are deducible from
the mutual affinities of different substances, especially the simplest.
We have already explained (Chap. II.) what is meant by affinities, and
have laid down the principal laws to which the relations of different
bodies are subject. The late Mr. Geoffroy, one of the best Chymists we
have had, being convinced of the advantages which all who cultivate
Chymistry would receive from having constantly before their eyes a
state of the best ascertained relations between the chief agents in
Chymistry, was the first who undertook to reduce them into order, and
unite them all in one point of view, by means of a table. We are of
opinion, with that great man, that this Table will be of considerable
use to such as are beginning to study Chymistry, in helping them to
form a just idea of the relations which different substances have with
one another; and that the practical Chymist will thereby be enabled
to account for what passes in several of his operations, otherwise
difficult to be understood, as well as to judge what may be expected to
result from mixtures of different compounds. These reasons have induced
us to insert it at the end of this Elementary Treatise, and to give a
short explanation of it here; especially as it will serve, at the same
time, for a recapitulation of the whole work, in which the several
axioms of this Table are dispersed.
You have it here just as it was drawn up by Mr. Geoffroy, without any
addition or alteration. I own, however, that it might be improved
both ways: for since the death of that great Chymist many experiments
have been made, some of which have discovered new affinities, and
others have raised exceptions to some of those laid down by him. But
several reasons dissuade me from publishing a new Table of Affinities,
containing all the emendations and innovations that might be made in
the old one.
The first is, that many of the affinities lately discovered are not yet
sufficiently verified, but, on the contrary, subject to be contested:
in short, they are perhaps liable to more considerable objections, and
exceptions, than the other.
The second is, that as Mr. Geoffroy's Table contains all the
fundamental affinities, it is more suitable to an Elementary Treatise
than a much fuller one would be; seeing this would necessarily suppose
the knowledge of many things not treated of by us, and of which it was
not proper to say any thing in such a book as this.
However, as it is essential to our purpose that we lead none into
error, we shall take care in explaining the affinities delivered by Mr.
Geoffroy, to mention the principal objections and exceptions to which
they are liable: we shall, moreover, add a very few new ones, confining
ourselves to such only as are elementary and well ascertained.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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