Let us preserve the memory of the
deserving; perhaps it may prompt
others likewise to deserve—
TO
MY FELLOW-CHEMISTS
There is nothing thrilling in the followingpages. They contain the story ofthe life-work of a very modest man deeplyinterested in and enamoured with thescience of chemistry, who sought also toinspire others and to familiarize the generalpublic of his time with the intimateconnection of chemistry with manufacturesand things which enter so largely intoevery-day occupations. He was an activemember of a small group of chemists who,in the early years of eighteen hundred,caused thousands of the laity to givethought to the possibilities of Chemistry,and in addition was a pioneer in pyrotechnics,on which account he is deservedlyentitled to every recognition. More thana century has passed since his most seriousefforts were put forth. However, it willnot be long until that early galaxy ofchemical enthusiasts of which he was amember will be accorded a high place inthe history of the development of thescience in America.
It is scarcely conceivable that anythingpertaining to the development ofchemical science in America would failto interest its chemists. The responseto the needs of the Nation in the last fewyears has shown how marvelously theywrought and the wonderful things whichthey brought to light. Yet in the longago—in the days of which we onlyknow by hearsay, and through desultoryreading, there lived chemists withenthusiasm, knowledge and initiative,whose aim it was to have their chosenscience contribute to the welfare ofhumanity. In the labors of such menas James Woodhouse, Robert Hare,[Pg 2]Adam Seybert, Henry Seybert, JohnRedman Coxe, Joseph Cloud, GerardTroost, and many others, the scientificspirit predominated, although with itwent the purpose, more or less sharplydefined, of making their acquirementsuseful. Particularly noticeable was thisin the instance of Woodhouse.
The general consensus of opinionamong present-day chemists is thatchemistry should be helpful to all. Itmay and should be scientific, but itsprinciples ought to be scientifically appliedin every useful manner.
The reader, desirous of learning theaims and ambitions of the fathers of thescience in our country, will profit byturning to the files of the Aurora, anold daily paper of Philadelphia, for theyear 1808, and beginning about the middleof July will there encounter a mostinteresting series of articles on the [Pg 3]applicationsof chemistry under the generalheading
APPLICATION OF CHEMISTRY TO ARTSAND MANUFACTURES
There are fifteen separate papers.In considering the period—1808,—theage of the young Republic, and that thetimes were far from quiet; that unrestand uncertainty prevailed as to the fateof the Republic, it does not surprisethat thought should have been given tomeans of protection; hence gunpowderwas the very first product to engagethe author of the series of articles. Theproving and analysis of the powder arediscussed at length. The methods appearvery primiti