The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-06
Chemistry.

1hO WOtN 40 NOiiVOo AAVhA
the Arabic, and was originally the art or
science now called alchemy, which was
the supposed gift of a certain few indi-
viduals who possessed the knowledge of
converting the baser metals into gold.
The Arabic word kama signifies to hide,
secrete, or conceal. The art of alchemy
Is OF very great antiquity, and is sup.
posed to have been practiced as early as
the third century. The Emperor Diocle-
tian made an order directing search for
books or writings treating of the wonder
full art of transmitting the baser metals
into gold and silver, and commanding
that all such books or writings, when
| found, should be committed to the flames,
and that all the implements, retorts,
powders ore liquids used for such pur-
pose should likewise be destroyed.
| Alchemy was long connected by the
ignorant and superstitious with the pow
er and attributes of the devil, and its
possessors were charged with being in
league with him in the practice of what
was known as the bldck art.
| 1t is thought by many eTudite people
that the art OF counterteiting the ancient
coins had its origin in the study and
manipulations of the alchemist, and that
in those early times the secret manner
in which these mysterious beings Work.
ed, the care they exercised, and holding
themselves aloot from society, was with
aView to hide their employment from the
public gaze, while, by means of their
knowledge of the al is and their acquired
skill in other respects, they were enabled
| secretly and successfully, to greater
or less degree, to flood the channels of
commercial circulation with base silver
and gold.
The alchemist, with the purpose also
of gaining credit with the masses, pre-
| tended to have found universal reme-
| dy for disease, and an alkahest, or uni
versal solvent, for every known sub
stance. This pretended science flourish
ed greatly from the thirteenth to the sew
enteenth century, but is now held in uni
versal contempt.
After the downfall OF the race of alche-
mists, the true science of chemistry
grew up and developed into harmonious
proportions. 1t endeavored to discover
by analysis and synthesis the nature and
properties of different bodies, and the
changes of composition that occur among
the integrant elements under certain
combinations.
The use Ofsymbols was early employed
by the alchemists to represent the metals
known to them, the metals themselves
being at the same time called after the
heavenly bodies. The early chemists
also used few symbols that seemed ap-
: propriate to their occupation, and for
many centuries these continued to be
employed without material alteration.
Early in the beginning of the present
century the chemist Berzelius proposed
modified system of characters, which
rendered it possible to write the exact
composition of chemical compounds by
weight, and which also indicated chemi-
cal reactions.
u This system of symbols was used until
a comparatively recent period, but the
, chemist Gerhardt proposed some slight
: modification, which would render it pos
sible t0Te-present the volume as well as
the weight of the Substances entering
into compound, besides being ready
and simple means of illustrating the
complex changes arising in organic sub
stances from chemical action. This
science occupied low position for many
hundred years, and not until within the
last two centuries has it made decided
and permanent advancement. Itis true,
there are few exceptions, such as the
tanning Of sleather; the knowledge OF
certain coloring matters or dyes, among
which was the real Tyrian purple; an
acquaintance with. the properties of GER
tain plants, drugs, and resins; the man.
ufacturlng of glazed pottery, which the
Persians carried to great degree of
perfection.
One great and essential benefit con-
ferred on mankind by the discoveries of
modern chemistry has arisen from the
utilization of waste substances. The
4 bones of dead animals are revitalized in
the shape of phosphorus; the dregs of
the wine cask return to us in the shape
ofseidlitz powders; the washings of coal
i gas and sewers are by distillation con-
verted into ammonia; glycerine is the
sweet principle of fatty or oily SUBJ
stances; Clues and jellies are made from
the hoots or bones Of domestic animals !;
chlorine is more or less used as substi-
tute tor sulphur in bleaching. Absorp-
tion and distillation have given U.s. num-
berless extracts, cordials and perfumes,
and there is scarcely a plant, tree or
fruit, but, In some form or other, has
been made to render up. certain active
principles of its composition, which, but
for the subtle agencies OF chemistry,
would have remained inert or in crude
state, but when thus developed, under
various forms of application, either me-
dicinally or, otherwise, add something
TO the general welfare of mankind.
The greatest benefits, however, have
been experienced from this science in
Its bearings upon the sanitary reforms Of
the last century. Men are now better
|
more scientifically treated, and the
spread of pestilence and famine cur
tailed. The diffusion of intelligence in
| regard to light, heat, and ventilation is
very general; the causes and prevention
of miasma in city and country receive
the attention of the local governments,
and there is q disposition everywhere to
make the most OF the advantages pre-
sented by country, climate, and condi-
tion, for the elevation and social happi-
ness OF the human race. If the alchem-
ist Of old failed to accomplish the turn
ing of the baser metals into gold and sill
ver, and the discovery OF a panacea tor
human ills, he at least stimulated spir-
it of inquiry which has borne fruit in the
Investigations and experiments OF the
pains-taking chemist and mis- co-workers
in other scientific pursuits.
i Legal Precocity.
i An old lady walked into lawyers
office the other day, when the following
l.conversation took place:
esquire, called TO sec il you would
Sab. At,.. 49,, 4