Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-05
THE FREE PRESS.
LECTURES on CHEMISTRY AND Ma
TURAI. PHILOSOPHY.
BIZ DoeroR }. }. II. SrsMrH.

sehes "hich Ut Susih proposes 10 deliver,
weekly. until October next, on the subjects Of
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, was deli
vcred in his Lecture Room in the Academy,
on Saturday the 23d ult. In compliance with
our own wishes, and the wishes OF several who
were denied IN opportunity of attending on
that occasion, we have solicited Of the Author
a copy OF the Lecture, for publication and
he has politely-though il is perhaps due to
that gentleman to add, with . difidenco ap-
quests. The subjcc: is one, certainly In the
highest degree interesting, not only TO the
curious and scientific. but TO the theoretical
and practical of all professions the man Of
Literature, the Farmer, the Mechanic, &c
Many OF us, perhaps. have IL in our power to
obtain the empty theory or these useful and in
teresting scienees-bvt, few OF u, eau have the
advantage OF PRACTICAL leyoa,. This opportu-
n''y i'no~ afforded u'. The Doetor, under
stand. has incurred eonsidersblc expense 10 the
purchase Of the Apparatus necessary Tor p-r-
iret illustration OF the subjects upon which hs
proposes 10 tTcat-s1d NC hsvc TO doubt he - III
claim liberal share of attention from those ~ho
are favorable 10 the advancement Of useful know
ledge, As we'll ss from those Who sre fnnd Of the
most refined amuse ments.
The following Lecture is, in itself quite ,at, r
esting. and goes to explain, further, perhaps,
Ihan is generally known, the nature and proper
ties of that branch Of seietce termed Chemistry
LECTURE.
Ladies aud Gsniiemsn-In the present lee
ture, which is Introductory To- the protracted
course about To be delivered before YOU, shall
endeaVor to present you with brief view Of
the objects and nature Of the science of Che
misiry, and its very intimate and close connex-
ion with the al and other sciences, aud then
suggest, in concise manner the plan intend
10 pursue with regard TO the number and ar
rangement Of the subjects that will fall under
our investigation.
The value Of any science is To he estimated
according to its tendency, when practically ap-
piled, To promote the happiness Of man either
by improvement in private virtue, OF in those
qualities which prepare him for the discharge
Of public duties, and render him useful 20 So
ciety. II is the perfection Of u science. so to
combine these advantages, As TO secure the ad-
while at the same time il furnishes, within lis
own limits, such q degree Of amusemen as re-
leves the fatigue Of laborious study, by the
relaxing influence Of infinite variety and beau
tiful experiment Under this description, fall.
the entertaining and extensively useful science
Of Chemistry.
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy are 80
closely associated, that il is somewhat difficult
to define precisely the line Of separation be-
tween them. The concurrence Of both SCI
ences Is often necessary TO n perfect explana.
ton and understanding Of phenomena, that oc-
cur in the ordinary course OF nature, as well
as in the artificial operations Of the Artist and
Mechanic. The clouds, which vsriagate OF
dsrken the azure sky, are chemical combina-
ton Of water with heat. but why they main
tain their elevated position, it is the part oil
the Natural Philosopher to tell. The Natural
Philosopher may explain to US the movement
Of the Earth on its own axis and around the
sun; but the Chemist must make known the
effects Of the suns heat upon terrestrial OBJ
jects, the absorption Of calorie by natural boz
dies, its action upon them as regards their So
Iidity and luidity, IFS viyiiying influence upon
the vegetable kIngdom-the effects Of light
the cause Of thunder and lightning, and other
such consecutive occurrences. Such portion.
OF Natural Philosophy, then, as have any PLAY
m the production Of any event that may rise
/ for notice, as We proceed in the contemplation
Of our subject, will receive ample discussion
Natural Philosophy, IN its most extensive
sense, comprehend every scieuce that tire al,
Of the properties and affections Of matter
Chemistry, therefore, il, strictly speaking, q
branch Of Natural Philosophy. Nevertheless
q is now regarded rs a distinct science; be.
cause its laws and facts are many of them en-
tirely independent Of any connection with the
properties which affect matter generally, and
are sufficiently numerous To constitute a sue
cession Of phenomena, too important and ihflu-
entail 10 be considered as the mere appendix
Of the more extensive arrangement 81 natural
thing. which Il u the particular province Of
Natural Philosophers 20 investigate, ia order u
deduco thersfrom "such natural laws ~ MAJ
be Afterwards applied 10 a variety of useful
purpOses"
But, a sufficient ground of distinction he.
tween these allied sciences, u afforded 10y the
fact that the results Of Natural Philosophy are
always characterised by sensible IN 1tiOn. con-
troled aud regulated 10y certain exact and def
mite laws, while on the other hand, chemical
changes and oiles u Of the most important Sind
arc often attended with no apparent notion
either ~ the mass itsclf. or Of the minute par
tiolos that compose H. Natural Philosophy
then, Ia IT, limited and proper sense, makc'
known 90 us the phenomena that arise in tie
world 81 Nature, from reciprocal motion, ~
'rc-action between MASSES, go between massci
and PARTICLES q matter Thus, the slngls
and compound motions Of bodies on level sur
faces or inclined planes, The oscillations or w.
bratory movements u peuduigms, mechanirs
including the lever, the pulley. o. system ol
pJIleys; The wheel and axle che inclined plane
the wedge ard tie screw, hydrosiatics. hydro
nsmies, and hydraulics, Nhich teach ~ the
pressure. equilibrium, and mgiiYu u fuids, cod
n the machinrs constructed f0r and used in
their management pneumaties, Tie doctrine 81
sound o. acoustics, catoptiers. 90 ihs neilsc
ton 81 lig.t diopiicss, 90 ne rsifsctt1n 81
light. msgrstism, astronomy, tbo laws q gra.
yitation and central forces, tosetier eth sons
other subjects, come within The field u ths
NaiuFsl Philosopher. because they. a. most
only produce motion, % change ~ place %
Tie bU,iies which obey their influence.
Chemistry is declared 10 have for i,s object
lie discovery an1 "explsnaiion q Zee change,
u competition, shat occur among The int
grant aud constitucNi parts n different b.
dies" %, IN other words, ito treat a thus
changes ~ eysats ~ natural things which srs
not accompanied By sensible moiions-"
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