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CARBONE.

ture has so clearly pointed a method of obtain-ing it in perfection and abundance.

CAROLINE.

I did not imagine that the principle of lifecould be imitated by the aid of chemistry; butit did not appear to me ridiculous to suppose thatchemists might attain a perfect imitation of in-animate nature.

MRS. B.

They have succeeded in this point in a varietyof instances; but, as you justly observe, the prin-ciple of life, or even the minute and intimate or-ganization of the vegetable kingdom, are secretsthat have almost entirely eluded the researchesof philosophers; nor do I imagine that humanart will ever be capable of investigating themwith complete success.

EMILY.

But diamond, since it consists merely of onesimple unorganized substance, might be, onewould think, perfectly imitable by art ?

MRS. B.

It is sometimes as much beyond our power toobtain a simple body in a state of perfect purity,as it is to imitate acomplicated combination ; forthe operations by which nature decomposes