Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-18
PROF. BOTTOMS LECTURE.
Interesting Talk on the "Folly and Wisdom
Of Alchemy"

Interesting Talk on the "Folly and Wisdom
Of Alchemy"
Prof. II. Darlington Bolton, nonresident lee
turer Of Columbian University, delivered yes
terday afternoon the third Of series Of nine
lectures on the history Of chemistry. The SUBJ
ject Of yesterdays discourse was "The Folly
and the Wisdom Of Alchemy" A large audience
welcomed the professor and at frequent inter
walls rewarded him with genuinely enthusiastic
applause.
The audience was not composed alone Of
students Of the university. Men and
present Some of these were DR.. Robert
Fletcher, the anthropologist; Prof. CIeve-
land Able, the astronomer; Mrs. F. W.
Clark, wife Of Prof. Clark, and q number of
others. Prof. Bolton was introduced by Presi-
dent A. F. A. King, NJ. D., in few well-chosen
words.
Prof. Bolton is . pleasing speaker and scores
points in each paragraph. While keeping the
leading idea Of instruction in view be never
loses sight Of entertainment His discourse
was profusely illustrated with stereopticon
views. This instrument was under the direc-
ton of Mr.. Palmer Of the National Museum.
THE VISIONARY AIMS OF THE ALcHENIsr.
The lecturer first explained the visionary
aims Of the alche mists and Of how they en-
dsavored to transmute dross to gold and quoted
the testimony Of individuals as to the doctrines
Of alchemists. He thought that q very little
wisdom was intermixed with . great deal of
folly. He thought, however, that modern
chemistry should entertain considerable regard
for alchemy. It was the parent and the fore
runner Of the science Of today. The slchemists
collected Q wonderful array Of facts, which
were the foundation stones Of chemistry.
The alchemists were entitled to more
than ordinary respect for their familiarity with
the uses and workings Of the mineral acids. He
displayed portraits OF the Arabian alchemists
Geber, Avicsnna and Rhases and quoted al
some length from the writings Of the 6rst
named. Then he told Of the Arabian theory OF
the ''balance Of wisdom" and Of the specific
gravity determinations of the twelfth century.
Even at that early date they were able to de-
termine with remarkable accuracy the specific
era Of different waters. He displayed
the model Of . distilling apparatus used in the
eleventh century.
rHKIR CLINICAL KNowLHD0I.
He threw on the screen portraits Of the
ecclesiastical alchemists, Roger Bacon, Aburtul
Magnus, Raymond Lully and Basil Valentine.
| He discussed briefly the chemical knowledge
and rsputed writings Of Valentine. He talked
some Of Berthold Schwatx and Of his alleged
discovery Of Gunpowder and told the story Of
Sir George Ripley Of England and his hsrmstis
poem.
The growth Of alchemy in the sixteenth cen.
| fury was also treated OF and the royal patrons
Of the sturdy Augustus Of Saxony, Frederick
III of Norway and Rudolph II Of Germany
| talked Of. Ths lecturer dealt with the pseudo
science ct the court Of Prague, Of Michas
Ssndivogius, John Dee and Kelley. The pic
lures Of two medals struck TO commemorate
demonstrations we're also shown
| very humorous incident occurred during
| the course Of the lecture. When Prof. Bolton
bad given The recipe for the philosophsrt
stone, an old and sedats man arose In tn
| philosophers stonsf" The gentleman "a
dressed replied, "Thats . sssEsS" The thsms
Of alchemy viii b also conddsrsd IN The tvs
lectures immsdiatsly succeeding.