with their everlasting interests. "Man," say Rollin, "lives in the midst of a world of wnic he is the sovereign, as a stranger, who looks with indifference upon all that passes in it, and as if it was not his concern. The universe, ir all its parts, declares and points out its Author; but, for the most part, to the deaf and blind, who have neither ears to hear, nor eyes to see. One of the greatest services that philosophy can o us, is to awaken us from this drowsiness, and rouse us from this lethargy, which is a dishonour to humanity, and in a manner reduces us below the beasts, whose stupidity is the consequence of their nature, and not the effect of neglect or in difference. It awakens our curiosity, it excites our attention, and leads us as it were by the hand, through all the parts of nature, to induce us to study and search out the wonderful works of it."

and the chymical action of acids and alkalies,
and of the minutest particles of matter upon each
other-ought to be viewed as so many modifica
tions of the agency of Deity, and as manifesta-
tions of his wisdom, in carrying forward those
plans which regard the interests of his universal
kingdom; just as we consider the rise and fall of
empires, the revolutions of nations, and the cir-
culation of the Scriptures in heathen lands, as
so many acts of his moral administration as the
Governor of mankind. For let it be carefully re-
membered, that all these physical agencies have
ultimately a moral and intellectual bearing; and
are essentially connected with every other part
of God's providential procedure. Though we
may be apt to consider them as so many detach-
ed and insulated pieces of machinery, with which
we have little concern, may even disdain to
notice their node of operation; yet, in the all--Belles Lettres, vol. 4.
comprehensive mind of Him who takes in, at
one glance, the whole chain of causes and effects,
they are as essentially connected with his ultimate
purposes, and the eternal destiny of man, as are
the revelations of his word. Were a single
principle or motion which now animates the
system of nature to cease were the agencies of
electricity, for example, or the principle of eva-
poration, to be destroyed-the physical constitu-
tion of our globe would instantly be deranged;
nature would be thrown into confusion; and the
sentient and intellectual beings that now in-
habit the earth would either be destroyed, or
plunged into an abyss of misery. If, therefore,
we admit that the moral agency of God is worthy
of our contemplation, we ought to consider his
physical operations also as no less worthy of our
study and investigation; since they form the
groundwork of all his other manifestations.

There is nothing, however, which so strikingly characterizes the bulk of mankind, and even the great mass of the Christian world, as that apathy and indifference with which they view the wonders of creation which surround them. They can look on all that is grand, and beautiful, and beneficent in nature, without feeling the least sentiment of admiration, or of gratitude to that Being who is incessantly operating within them. and around them; and they are disposed to consider the experiments of philosophers, by which the wonderful agency of God is unveiled, as only so many toys and amusements for the entertainment of children. They would prefer the paltry entertainments of a card-table, of a ball-room, or of a gossipping party, to the inspection of the nicest pieces of divine mechanism, and to the contemplation of the most august scene in nature. However lightly some religionists may be disposed to treat this subject, that spirit of indifference with which the visible works of God are treated must be considered as flowing from the same depraved principle which leads multitudes to reject the revelations of the Bible, and to trifle

Since, therefore, the science of natural philosophy is conversant about the works of the Almighty, and its investigations have a direct tendency to illustrate the perfections of his nature, to unveil the plan of his operations, to unfold the laws by which he governs the kingdom of universal nature, and to display the order, symmetry, and proportion, which reign throughout the whole-it would be needless to enter into any further process of reasoning, to show that the study of it is connected with the great objects of religion. Whatever studies tend to raise our minds to the Supreme Ruler of all worlds-to expand our views of his infinite knowledge and wisdom-to excite our gratitude and our admiration of the beneficent designs which appear in all his arrangements-to guard us against erroneous conceptions of his providential procedureand to furnish us with important auxiliaries for extending the influence of his religion through the world; must always be interesting to every Christian who wishes to enlarge his intellectual views, and to make progress in the knowledge of God.

CHYMISTRY.

This science, which is intimately related to the preceding, has for its object to ascertain the ingredients, or first principles, of which all matter is composed-to examine the compounds formed by the combination of these ingredients-to investigate those changes in natural bodies, which are not accompanied with sensible motion, and the nature of the power which produces these combinations and changes.

Within the limits of the last half century, the empire of chymistry has been wonderfully extended. From an obscure and humble place among the objects of study, it has risen to a high and dignified station among those sciences which improve and adorn the human mind. No longer confined to the paltry and mercenary object of searching for the philosopher's stone, or of fur nishing a little amusement, it now extends its

means which his wisdom has contrived for preserving, in due order, the system of nature. And, as this wonderful substance is so essentially necessary to animal and vegetable existence, every thing is so arranged as to produce a regular supply of it, notwithstanding its incessant changes, and the multifarious combinations into which it is continually entering.

One of the most extraordinary effects of oxygen appears, when it is combined in a certain proportion with nitrogen, so as to form the gaseous oxide of nitrogen, or what is commonly called nitrous oxide. This gas consists of 63 parts nitrogen, and 37 oxygen, by weight. When inhaled into the lungs, it produces an extraordinary elevation of the animal spirits, a propensity to leaping and running, involuntary fits of laughter, a rapid flow of vivid ideas, and a thousand delightful emotions; without being accompanied with any subsequent feelings of debility. This circumstance shows what a variety of delightful or pernicious effects might flow from the slightest change in the constitution of the atmosphere, were the hand of the Almighty to interpose in altering the proportion of its constituent parts: for atmospheric air is composed of 79 parts of nitrogen, and 21 of oxygen, which is not a very different proportion from the above. Another gas called nitric oxide, composed of 56 parts oxygen, and 44 nitrogen, produces instant suffocation in all animals that attempt to breathe it. One of the most corrosive acids, the nitrous acid, or aquafortis, is composed of 75 parts oxygen and 25 parts nitrogen; so that we are every moment breathing a certain substance, which, in another combination, would produce the most dreadful pain, and cause our immediate destruction. What a striking proof does this afford of the infinite comprehension of the divine mind, in foreseeing all the consequences of the elements of nature, and in directing their numerous combinations in such a manner as to promote the happiness of animated beings!

ker into the fire at one end, it will soon become hot at the other; but this will not happen with a piece of wood of the same length, and under the same circumstances. A person with a silken purse, containing metal coin, may stand so near the fire, as to make the metal almost too hot to touch, though the temperature of the purse will apparently be scarcely altered. If a hand be put upon a hot body, part of the caloric leaves the hot body and enters the hand, producing the sensation of heat. On the contrary, if a hand be put on a cold body, as a piece of iron, or another cold hand, part of the caloric contained in the hand leaves it to unite with the colder body, producing the sensation of cold. In short, caloric is diffused throughout all bodies, and enters into every operation in nature; and were it not for the influence of this subtile fluid, there is reason to believe, that the whole matter of the universe would be condensed into a solid mass. Oxygen is a very pure, subtile, and elastic substance, generally diffused throughout nature; but is never found unless in combination with other substances. It is one of the most important agents in nature; there being scarcely a single process, whether natural or artificial, in which oxygen has not some important share. When combined with caloric, it is called oxygen gas, which forms one of the constituent parts of the atmosphere. In this state, it forms the principle of combustion; producing the most rapid deflagration of all combustible substances. If a lighted taper be let down into a jar of oxygen gas, it burns with such splendour, that the eye can scarcely bear the glare of light; and at the same time produces a much greater heat than when burning in common air. If a steel wire, or a thin file, having a sharp point, armed with a bit of wood in inflammation, be introduced into a jar filled with this gas, the steel will take fire, and its combustion will continue, producing a most brilliant phenomenon. It has been proved, by numerous experiments, that this gas is so essential to combustion, that no substance Nitrogen, or azote, is a substance generally will burn in common air, which has been pre- diffused throughout nature, and particularly in viously deprived of its oxygen. It is also es- animated bodies. It is not to be found in a solid sential to animal life; so that man, and all the or liquid state, but, combined with caloric, it inferior ranks of animated nature, may be said forms nitrogen gas, which is one of the ingre. to depend upon this fluid for their existence. Its dients of the atmosphere. It is capable of supbasis gives the acid character to all mineral and porting either flame or animal life. This is vegetable salts: and the calcination of metals is proved by introducing an animal, or a burning altogether effected by their union with oxygen. candle, into a vessel full of this gas: in which It constitutes the basis both of the atmosphere case, the animal is suddenly suffocated, and the which surrounds the earth, and of the water candle instantly extinguished. It is this gas which forms its rivers, seas, and oceans. It which is expelled from the lungs at every respipervades the substance of all the vegetable tribes, ration, and, rising over our heads, soon enters and enables them to perform their functions; into new combinations. Though it is destrucand, in combination with the different metals, tive to animal life, it appears to be favourable to serves the most important purposes in the use- plants, which vegetate freely when surrounded ful arts. In the operation of this elementary with nitrogen. principle, we perceive a striking display of the agency of the Creator, and of the admirable

Hydrogen is another elementary substance, abundant in nature, and, when united to caloric

forms hydrogen gas. It is one of the constituent parts of water; for it has been completely demonstrated by experiment, that water is composed of 85 parts by weight of oxygen, and 15 of hydrogen, in every hundred parts of the fluid. This gas was formerly known by the name of inflammable air. It is distinguished among miners by the name of re-damp; it abounds in coal-mines, and sometimes produces the most tremendous explosions. It is incapable, by itself, of supporting combustion, and cannot be breathed without the most imminent danger. It is the chief constituent of oils, fats, spirits, ether, coals, and bitumen; and is supposed to be one of the agents which produce the ignes fatui and the northern lights. It is the lightest of all ponderable bodies; being from twelve to fifteen times lighter than common air. A hundred cubic inches of it weigh about 24 grains. On account of its great levity it is used for filling air-balloons. In contact with atmospheric air, it burns with a pale blue colour. When mixed with oxygen gas, it may be exploded like gunpowder, with a violent report. Carburetted hydrogen gas, which is carbon dissolved in hydrogen, is that beautiful gas, which is now employed in lighting our streets, shops, and manufactories.

Carbon is another simple substance extensively diffused throughout nature. It is found pure and solid only in the diamond; but it may be procured in the state of charcoal, by burning a piece of wood closely covered with sand, in a crucible. Carbon enters into the composition of bitumen and pit coal, and of most animal and some mineral substances; and it forms nearly the whole of the solid basis of all vegetables, from the most delicate flower to the stately oak. It is also a component part of sugar, and of all kinds of wax, oils, gums, and resins. It combines with iron in various proportions, and the results are cast iron and steel. Black lead is a composition of nine parts of carbon to one of iron; and is, therefore, called a carburet of iron. Carbon is indestructible by age, and preserves its identity in all the combinations into which it enters. Carbonic acid gas is a combination of carbon and oxygen. It is found in a state of combination with lime, forming limestone, marble, and chalk; and may be separated from them by heat, or by means of the mineral acids. This gas, which was formerly called fired air, is found in mines, caves, the bottoms of wells, wine cellars, brewers' vats, and in the neighbourhood of lime-kilns. It is known to miners by the name of the choke-damp, and too frequently runs on deadly errands. It extinguishes flame and animal life. It is the heaviest of all the gases; being nearly twice the weight of common air, and twenty times the weight of hydrogen. It may, therefore, be poured from one vessel to another; and if a mall quantity of it be poured upon a lighted Laper. It will be instantly extinguished. It is a 14

powerful antiseptic, or preserver from putrefaction. Meat which has been sealed up in it (says Mr. Parkes) has been known to have preserved its texture and appearance for more than twenty years. There is no substance of more importance in civilized life than the different forms of Carbon. "In nature," says Sir. H. Davy, "this element is constantly active in an import ant series of operations. It is evolved in fermentation and combustion, in carbonic acid; it is separated from oxygen in the organs of plants, it is a principal element in animal structures; and is found in different forms in almost all the products of organized beings."

Sulphur is a substance which has been known from the earliest ages. It was used by the ancients in medicine, and its fumes have, for more than 2000 years, been employed in bleaching wool. It is found combined with many mineral substances, as arsenic, antimony, copper, and most of the metallic ores. It exists in many mineral waters, and in combination with vegetable and animal matters, but is most abundant in volcanic countries, particularly in the neighbourhood of Vesuvius, Etna, and Hecla in Iceland. It is a solid, opaque, combustible substance, of a pale yellow colour, very brittle, and almost without taste or smell. Its specific gravity is nearly twice that of water; it is a con-conductor of electricity, and, of course, becomes electric by friction. When heated to the temperature of 1700 of Fahrenheit's thermometer, it rises up in the form of a fine powder, which is easily collected in a proper vessel, and is named the flowers of sulphur. It is insoluble in water, but may be dissolved in oils, in spirit of wine, and in hydrogen gas. When sulphur is heated to the temperature of 302° in the open air, it takes fire spontaneously, and burns with a pale blue flame, and emits a great quantity of fumes of a strong suffocating odour. When heated to the temperature of 570°, it burns with a bright white flame, and emits a vast quantity of fumes. When these fumes are collected, they are found to consist entirely of sulphuric acid; so that sulphur, by combustion, is converted into an acid. It is the base of several compound substances. It unites with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, the alkalies, the metals, and some of the earths. This substance is of great importance in medicine, as it is found to penetrate to the extremities of the most minute vessels, and to impregnate all the secretions. It is also used in the arts, particularly in bleaching and dying; it forms a very large proportion of gunpowder; and one of its most common, but not least useful properties, is that of its combustibility, by which, with the help of a tinder-box, light is almost instantaneously produced. As this substance has not yet been decomposed, it is considered by chymists, in the mean time, as one of the simple substances.

Some animals, as the glow-worm and the fre fly, and fish in a putrescent state, exhibit phos phorescent qualities. M. Peron describes a singular instance of this kind in an animal which he calls the pyrosoma atlanticum, which he observed in his voyage from Europe to the Isle of France The darkness was intense when it was first discovered; and all at once there appeared at some distance, as it were, a vast sheet of phosphorus floating on the waves, which occupied a great space before the vessel. When the vessel had passed through this inflamed part of the sea, it was found that this prodigious light was occasioned by an immense number of small animals, which swam at different depths, and appeared to assume various forms. Those which were deepest looked like great red-hot cannon balls, while those on the surface resembled cylinders of redhot iron. Some of them were caught, and were found to vary in size from three to seven inches. All the exterior surface of the animal was bristled with thick long tubercles, shining like so many diamonds; and these seemed to be the principal seat of its wonderful phosphorescence.

Such is a brief description of the principal elementary substances, which, in a thousand diversified forms, pervade the system of nature, and produce all that variety which we behold in the atmosphere, the waters, the earth, and the various processes of the arts. It is probable that some of these substances are compounds, though they have not yet been decomposed. Yea, it is possible, and not at all improbable, that there are but two, or at most three, elementary substances in nature, the various modifications of which produce all the beauties and sublimities in the universe. Perhaps caloric, oxygen, and hydro

Phosphorus is another simple combustible substance, but is never found in a pure state in nature. It is commonly united to oxygen in a state of phosphoric acid, which is found in different animal, vegetable, and mineral substances. It was first discovered by Brandt, a chymist of Hamburgh, in the year 1667, and afterwards by the Honourable Mr. Boyle, in 1679. It was formerly obtained by a disgusting process; but it is now extracted from the bones of animals, by burning them, and then reducing them to a fine powder, and afterwards pouring sulphuric acid upon them. This substance, when pure, resembles bees' wax, being of a clear, transparent, yellowish colour; it is insoluble in water; it may be cut with a knife, or twisted to pieces with the fingers; and it is about double the specific gravity of water. Its most remarkable property is its very strong attraction for oxygen, from which circumstance, it burns spontaneously in the open air at the temperature of 43°; that is, it attracts the oxygen gas from the atmosphere, and heat and flame are produced. It gradually consumes when exposed to the common tempe rature of air, emits a whitish smoke, and is luminous in the dark; for this reason it is kept in phials of water; and as the heat of the hand is sufficient to inflame it, it should seldom be handled except under water. At the temperature of 99° it melts; it evaporates at 2190, and boils at 554°. When heated to 148° it takes fire, and burns with a very bright flame, and gives out a very large quantity of white smoke, which is lu minous in the dark; at the same time it emits an odour, which has some resemblance to that of garlic; and this smoke, when collected, is proved to be an acid. It burns with the greatest splendour in oxygen gas, and when taken internally,,gen, may ultimately be found to constitute all it is found to be poisonous. If any light substance, capable of conducting heat, be placed upon the surface of boiling water, and a bit of phosphorus be laid upon it, the heat of the water will be sufficient to set the phosphorus on fire. If we write a few words on paper with a bit of phosphorus fixed in a quill, when the writing is carried into a dark room it will appear beautifully luminous. If a piece of phosphorus, about the size of a pea, be dropped into a tumbler of hot water, and a stream of oxygen gas forced directly upon it, it will display the most brilliant combustion under water that can be imagined. All experiments with phosphorus, however, require to be performed with great caution. This substance is used in making phosphorus match bottles, phosphoric oil, phosphoric tapers, and various phosphoric fireworks. Phosphorized hydrogen gas is produced by bits of phosphorus remaining some hours in hydrogen gas. It is supposed to be this gas which is often seen hovering on the surface of burial grounds and inarshes, known in Scotland by the name of spun ke, and in England by that of will-o-the-wisp.

the elementary principles of nature. Without prosecuting this subject farther, I shall conclude this article with a few cursory reflections, tending to illustrate its connexion with religion.

The remarks which I have already thrown out in reference to natural philosophy will equally apply to the science of chymistry; and, therefore, do not require to be repeated. In addition to these, the following observations may be stated:

1. This science displays, in a striking point of view, the wisdom and goodness of God, in producing, by the most simple means, the most astonishing and benevolent effects. All the varied phenomena we perceive, throughout the whole system of sublunary nature, are produced by a combination of six or seven simple substances. I formerly adverted to the infinite variety which exists in the vegetable kingdom. (see pp. 37, 38.) About fifty-six thousand different species of plants have already been discovered by botanists. All these, from the humble shrub to the cedar of Lebanon, which adorn the surface of the globe, in every clime, with