Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.

Name: Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Author: Macquer, Pierre Joseph

Macquer, Pierre Joseph

Chemistry -- Early works to 1800

This process, in which Sulphur is regenerated by recombining together
the principles of which it was originally composed, is one of the most
beautiful experiments that modern Chymistry hath produced. We are
indebted for it to M. Stahl; and Dr. Geoffroy hath given a particular
account of it in the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences.

Before these gentlemen Glauber and Boyle had indeed published methods
of producing Sulphur, Glauber made use of his _Sal mirabile_ and
powdered charcoal: Boyle employed the Vitriolic Acid and Oil of
Turpentine. But neither of those Chymists understood the true theory
of their operations: they did not thoroughly know the principles of
Sulphur: they did not imagine they had composed Sulphur: they thought
they only extracted what they supposed to exist previously in the
matters they employed in their experiments.

M. Stahl was the first who discovered and explained the nature of
Sulphur, and proved that in Glauber's and Boyle's experiments Sulphur
was actually produced, by uniting together the principles of which it
is constituted. This beautiful experiment gives the strongest lustre
of evidence to the theory of the composition of that mixt, which acts
such a capital part in Chymistry; and it can no longer be doubted,
that Sulphur is actually a combination of the Vitriolic Acid with the
Phlogiston.

Besides this important truth, our process for composing Sulphur by art
proves several others that are equally essential and fundamental.

The first is, that the Vitriolic Acid hath a greater affinity with
the Phlogiston than with any other thing, seeing it quits metallic
and earthy substances, as well as Alkaline salts, in order to combine
therewith.

The second is, that Sulphur combines with fixed Alkalis without
suffering any decomposition; seeing it may be separated from them
entire and unaltered; and seeing that very Sulphur, which is naturally
indissoluble in water, is rendered soluble therein by the union it hath
contracted with the fixed alkali.

The third is, that the Vitriolic Acid, which, when it is pure, hath the
greatest affinity with Alkalis of any Acid whatever, loses a great deal
of that affinity by contracting an union with the Phlogiston; seeing
the weakest acids are capable of decomposing the Liver of Sulphur, and
separating the Sulphur from the Alkali. And this also confirms one of
the general propositions concerning affinities advanced in our theory;
to wit, that the affinities of compound or mixed substances are weaker
than those of the same substances in a purer or more simple state.




CHAP. II.

_Of the_ NITROUS ACID.


PROCESS I.

 _To extract Nitre out of nitrous Earths and Stones. The Purification
 of Salt-petre. Mother of Nitre. Magnesia._

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.Macquer, Pierre Joseph

History

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.

Macquer, Pierre Joseph

Chemistry -- Early works to 1800

This process, in which Sulphur is regenerated by recombining together
the principles of which it was originally composed, is one of the most
beautiful experiments that modern Chymistry hath produced. We are
indebted for it to M. Stahl; and Dr. Geoffroy hath given a particular
account of it in the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences.

Before these gentlemen Glauber and Boyle had indeed published methods
of producing Sulphur, Glauber made use of his _Sal mirabile_ and
powdered charcoal: Boyle employed the Vitriolic Acid and Oil of
Turpentine. But neither of those Chymists understood the true theory
of their operations: they did not thoroughly know the principles of
Sulphur: they did not imagine they had composed Sulphur: they thought
they only extracted what they supposed to exist previously in the
matters they employed in their experiments.

M. Stahl was the first who discovered and explained the nature of
Sulphur, and proved that in Glauber's and Boyle's experiments Sulphur
was actually produced, by uniting together the principles of which it
is constituted. This beautiful experiment gives the strongest lustre
of evidence to the theory of the composition of that mixt, which acts
such a capital part in Chymistry; and it can no longer be doubted,
that Sulphur is actually a combination of the Vitriolic Acid with the
Phlogiston.

Besides this important truth, our process for composing Sulphur by art
proves several others that are equally essential and fundamental.

The first is, that the Vitriolic Acid hath a greater affinity with
the Phlogiston than with any other thing, seeing it quits metallic
and earthy substances, as well as Alkaline salts, in order to combine
therewith.

The second is, that Sulphur combines with fixed Alkalis without
suffering any decomposition; seeing it may be separated from them
entire and unaltered; and seeing that very Sulphur, which is naturally
indissoluble in water, is rendered soluble therein by the union it hath
contracted with the fixed alkali.

The third is, that the Vitriolic Acid, which, when it is pure, hath the
greatest affinity with Alkalis of any Acid whatever, loses a great deal
of that affinity by contracting an union with the Phlogiston; seeing
the weakest acids are capable of decomposing the Liver of Sulphur, and
separating the Sulphur from the Alkali. And this also confirms one of
the general propositions concerning affinities advanced in our theory;
to wit, that the affinities of compound or mixed substances are weaker
than those of the same substances in a purer or more simple state.




CHAP. II.

_Of the_ NITROUS ACID.


PROCESS I.

 _To extract Nitre out of nitrous Earths and Stones. The Purification
 of Salt-petre. Mother of Nitre. Magnesia._

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.

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