First book in chemistry. For the use of schools and families

Front matter

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:t Hii

REVISED EDITION.

Part I. NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. Hlustrated by nearly 300 Engravings. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50

Paet IL CHEMISTRY. Revised Edition. Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50.

Paet HL MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY. Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50.

Publislied by HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

' Either of the above volumes will te sent by mail, postage prepaid^ to any part of the United States or Canada, on receipt of the price.

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Copyright, 1877, by Harper & Brothers.

Preface

The idea of this book was suggested by a lady, wbo is a stranger to me, in a letter, a portion of wbicli I will quote bere. " I can not tell you bow mucb pleasure I bave bad in teacbing tbe Cbild's Book of Nature to my little daugbter. In giving my own opinion of tbat work I am also expressing tbe opinion of several otber motbers of my acquaintance, wbo agree witb me in pronouncing it tbe very best book of tbe kind wbicb we bave ever found. It is so plain and simple in its arrangement, tbat any cbild of common capacity can learn it witb ease and remember it well. Tbe subjects upon wbicb it treats are of a kind to interest all cbildren, and tbe pleasant way in wbicb you bring tbem forward is sure to awaken tbeir powers of observation and comparison, and, better still, to lead tbem * tbrougb Nature up to Nature's God.' It seems to me tbat an elementary book on cbemistry, upon tbe same plan, would be interesting to cbildren, especially if tbey could bave some simple and safe experiments wbicb tbey migbt try for tbemselves."

Soon after receiving tbis letter, I put tbe matter to a test in tbe following manner: I selected a few of tbose scbool-rooms in tbe public scbools of New Haven in wbicb tbe scbolars were from eleven to tbirteen years of age. I visited tbese rooms from time to time, talking to

6 PREFACE.

the pupils for half an hour on chemistry, without trying any experiments, but illustrating the subject largely from common every-day phenomena. At each visit I questioned them upon what I had told them at the previous visit, and allowed them to ask me questions. In this way I found out what they could understand, and what they wanted to know, about chemistry. I was surprised to see how much of this science was within the reach of their capacity, and, at the same time, could be made very interesting to them. During all this time I jotted down my results, and at length put them into the shape in which they now appear, so that the book was almost literally made in the school-room. I may add that nearly the whole has been subjected to the examination of one of the teachers whose rooms I visited, a lady to whom I am indebted for many valuable suggestions.

This book can be readily comprehended by pupils of average capacity of twelve or even eleven years of age, especially if they have gone through with my Child's Book of Nature, which it is intended to follow. At the same time, it is fitted for older scholars to whom the subject of chemistry is entirely new.

I need hardly say that there must be carefulness in experimenting, and that some of the experiments described in this book should be tried only by teachers, or by pupils under their supervision.

This book is followed by three other books for the next higher grade of pupils. They are under one title — Science for the School and the Family. Part I., Natural Philosophy. Part II., Chemistry. Part in., Mineralogy and Geology.

WORTHINGTON HOOKEB.

Preface To The Second Edition

In preparing a revised edition of this work no alteration has been made in its general plan ; a considerable diminution in size has been effected by general condensation, but it is believed that no leading features have been omitted.

In adapting the nomenclature to modern theories and usage a compromise has been attempted, and a change made which some may regard as not suflSciently radical ; but it has not seemed desirable to introduce the nice distinctions in terminology which are correlated to philosophical views, inasmuch as an explanation of these views is precluded by the very elementary character of the work.

The presentation of scientific truths to the youthful mind in a simple and attractive manner was the peculiar faculty of the author, and the editor has endeavored to preserve this characteristic, and to avoid burying the subject beneath the exactions of a scientific nomenclature.

School op Mixes, Columbia College, New York J Septe^nhev^ 1876.