6

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

MRS. 5.

The object of chemistry is to obtain a know-ledge of the intimate nature of bodies, and oftheir mutual action on each other. You findtherefore, Caroline, that this is no narrow or con-fined science, which comprehends every thingmatciial within our sphere.

CAROLINE.

On the contrary, it must be inexhaustible ; andI atn at a loss to conceive how any proficiencycan be made in a science whose objects are sonumerous. ^

MRS. B.

If every individual substance were formed ofdifferent materials, the study of chemistry wouldindeed be endless; but you must observe that thevarious bodies in nature are composed of certainelementary principles, which are not very nume-rous.

CAROLINE.

Yes; I know that all bodies are composed offire, air, earth , and water; I learnt that manyvears asro.

O

MRS. B.

But you must now endeavour to forget it. Ihave already informed you what a great changechemistry has undergone since it has become aregular science. Within these thirty years espe-cially, it has experienced an entire revolution, and