Knowledge for the People, Or, the Plain Why & Because Volume 2

by John Timbs

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832 edition. ... INTRODUCTORY. Why is the science of chemistry so named? Because of its origin from the Arabic, in which language it signifies " the knowledge of the composition of bodies." The following definitions of chemistry have been given by some of our best " Chemistry is the study of the effects of heat and mixture, with the view of discovering their general and subordinate laws, and of improving the useful arts."--Dr. Black. " Chemistry is that science which examines the constituent parts of bodies, with reference to their nature, proportions, and method of combination."--Bergman. "Chemistry is that science which treats of those events or changes, in natural bodies, which are not accompanied by sensible motions."--Dr. Thompson. " Chemistry is a science by which we become acquainted with the intimate and reciprocal action of all the bodies in nature upon each other."--Fourcroy. The four preceding definitions are quoted by Mr. Parkes, in his Chemical Catechism, Dr. Johnson (from Arbuthnot) defines " chemistry" as " philosophy by fire." Mr. Brande says " It is the object of chemistry to investigate all changes in the constitution of matter, whether effected by heat, mixture, or other means."--Manual, 3rd edit. 1830. Dr. Ure says " Chemistry may be defined the science which investigates the composition of material substances, and the permanent changes of constitution which their mutual actions produce."--Dictionary, edit. 1830. Sir Humphry Davy, in his posthumous work, says, " There is nothing more difficult than a good definition of chemistry; for it is scarcely possible to express, in a few words, the abstracted view of an infinite variety of facts. Dr. Black has defined chemistry to be that science which treats of the changes produced...

84 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2013

About the author

John Timbs was an English antiquary. He was educated at a private school at Hemel Hempstead, and in his sixteenth year apprenticed to a druggist and printer at Dorking. He had early shown literary capacity, and when nineteen began to write for the Monthly Magazine. A year later he became secretary to Sir Richard Phillips, its proprietor, and permanently adopted literature as a profession.

He was successively editor of the Mirror of Literature, the Harlequin, The Literary World, and sub-editor of the Illustrated London News. He was also founder and first editor of Year-Book of Science and Art. His published works amounted to more than one hundred and fifty volumes. In 1834 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.