A treatise on chemistry

Preface

[t lias been the aim of the authors, in writing the present treatise, to place before the reader a fairly complete, and yet a clear and succinct, statement of the facts of Modern Chemistry, whilst at the same time entering so far into a discussion of Chemical Theory as the size of the work and the present transition state of the science permit. Special attention has been paid to the accurate description of the more important processes in technical chemistry, and to the careful representation of the most approved forms of apparatus employed. As an instance of this, the authors may refer to the chapter on the Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid. For valuable information on these points they are indebted to many friends both in this country and on the Continent.

The volume commences with a short historical sketch of the rise and progress of chemical science, and a few words relative to the history of each element and its more important compounds prefaces the systematic discussion of their chemical properties. For this portion of their work, the authors wish here to acknowledge their indebtedness to Hermann Kopp’s classical works on the History of Chemistry.

PREFACE.

viii

111 the part of the volume devoted to the description of the noil-metallic elements, care has been taken to select the most recent and exact experimental data, and to give references in all important instances, as it is mainly by consulting the original memoirs that a student can obtain a full grasp of his subject.

Much attention has likewise been given to the representation of apparatus adapted for lecture-room experiment, and the numerous new illustrations required for this purpose have all been taken from photographs of apparatus actually in use. The fine portrait which adorns the title-page is a copy, by the skilful hands of Mr. Jeens, of a daguerreotype taken shortly before Dalton s death.

Manchester, July, 1877.