Rudolph Ackermann

“ The arts and sciences, driven as it were from Europe, obtained an asylum with the Arabians. The attachment of this nation to magic, and their inclination to the marvellous, soon increased the mysteries in which the arts were then already involved; and hence alchemy, or the art of transmuting base metals into gold, took its rise.
To us it may appear somewhat singular, that chemistry, now of such universal importance to mankind, should be indebted, in some measure, for its origin as an art, and for some parts of its progress, to one of the less noble or generous of the human passions ”

“ Feelings of a similar nature lead us, at the commencement of a new work, which embraces so wide a circle, to trace the map of literature, to examine the progress of discovery in the arts and sciences, to follow their respective boundaries, to ascertain their extent, and finally, to form some opinion of their value, as they affect our morals and our manners. ”

“ In the last decade of the eighteenth century, the progress of discovery, particularly in chemistry and mineralogy, had become so great, and the reign of art over nature so extensive, that some of the same philosophers who set up for political reformers, believed not only the period was approaching, when men were to be governed by the purity of their own minds, and the moderation of their own desires, without any external coercion, but when the life of man might be prolonged ad infinitum, and philosophers, if they choose it, become immortal. ”

“ In considering the application of chemistry to the improvement of the useful arts, a wide field of contemplation opens to our view. So extensive indeed are its influence and importance, that, in most of the arts, the processes that are employed, depend on chemical principles. Barely to mention some of these arts, will afford ample illustration of its extensive utility: for the art of extracting metals from their ores, of purifying and alloying them with each other, and of forming instruments and utensils, whether for useful or ornamental purposes, almost all the processes are purely chemical. ”

“ The means of procuring food, raiment, and shelter, even in their utmost simplicity, imply a certain extent of knowledge in the arts; some of them are so obvious and necessary, and at the same time their antiquity is so remote, that even tradition does not furnish us with the names of their inventors. At a period when the occupations of mankind were limited to the attainment of what was necessary to existence, there was neither time nor occasion tor the cultivation of those arts which were to promote the conveniences, or minister to the luxuries of life. ”

“ Fan-hy-cheu, interrupting her, said, It is not from inclination that I am now unhappily a rebel. Tho’ you were unjustly forced away from your noble parents, do not now, by seeking to put an end to your existence, aggravate my crime and my misfortunes. The imperial army now in the field against us, is from the North; the soldiers are your countrymen; you will understand their language; you may perhaps even meet with your family and friends: live therefore for them, and be comforted. ”

“ But we are more surprised, that, in the nineteenth century, there should be found among the enlightened legislators of this country, advocates for confining the means of knowledge and improvement; men who are so little acquainted with the theory of the human mind, as to oppose the diffusion of letters among the lower orders of society, lest it should eventually render them dissatisfied under a government which is the noblest monument of human wisdom, and which the accumulated experience of ages has contributed to rear. ”

“ That we have exchanged melody for counterpoint, and difficulties of laboured execution for substantial harmony, has long been observed and regretted; but since the revival of a taste for music in this country, we have seldom had the opportunity of noticing compositions so destitute even of novelty. It will afford us much higher satisfaction to recommend the effusions of taste and science, than to undergo the drudgery of examining productions revolting to every principle of both. ”

“ It was one of the principles among the alchemists, that all metals are composed of the same ingredients; or that the substances which enter into the composition of gold, are found in all metals, but mixed with many impurities, from which, by certain processes, they might be separated: and as they never seem to have thought of enriching themselves by their great discoveries, they were too generous to monopolize the wealth of the world. ”

“ But, however much one may be interested in observing and admiring the beneficial influence of this science on the arts and manufactures, if we extend our views, and consider chemistry as a science or subject of philosophical investigation, it will command a greater share of our admiration and study; for, perhaps, there is no branch of knowledge better calculated to promote and encourage that generous and ardent love of truth, which confers dignity and superiority on those who successfully pursue it ”

“ These arts enable the learned of all countries to supply mutual deficiences, to correct mutual errors, and, on subjects of common investigation, to enlarge the knowledge of facts, which, since the days of Bacon and Galileo, have converted the learned world from visionary theorists into rational enquirers. As these two important arts (writing and printing) are the means by which we are principally acquainted with all human knowledge, we shall say a little respecting them. ”

“ But all the arts, the sciences, and literature of the Romans and Greeks, were destined to sink into oblivion. Hosts of barbarian conquerors descended upon them from the North; the energies of civilization withered at their touch, and their works were destroyed before them. ”

“ The means of attack and defence appear to have been among the first essays of human invention, and the miserable art of war has, perhaps, in succeeding ages, called forth the powers of the human mind in a greater degree than any of the arts of peace. ”

“ There can be no doubt but that there has tor many years existed among the grandees of Spain an ardent feeling for the honour of their country, and a deep-rooted indignation against that upstart favourite, the Prince of the Peace, whose base polity had reduced Spain so low as to be considered by Bonaparte as a part of his federative empire. The marching of French armies through Spain under pretence of occupying Portugal, and afterwards the treacherous occupation of Barcelona and Pampeluna by the French, opened the eyes of the Spanish nation. ”

“ Her great military power was not only taken away from the strength of Europe, but the greater part of her celebrated army was incorporated with the armies of those vassal states, which the common enemy had created for the purpose of forwarding his views to universal empire. The pride of Russia has been completely humbled at the battle of Friedland, and by the disgraceful treaty of Tilsit. The Emperor Alexander convinced the world, that no hopes were to be formed from any thing of firmness or vigour, which had hitherto been supposed to belong to his private character. ”

“ The creation of the New Forest by the first of the Norman kings, shews the indefinite antiquity of other forests belonging to the crown. The very names of the inferior courts are Saxon: whoever will attentively consider the institutions of our Saxon ancestors, will discover in them not only a perfect regard to equality of rights, connected with an anxious attention to order and good government in a wild and uncultivated country, but that the influence of these institutions continues to pervade the whole system of our constitution. ”

“ The only doubt that now exists of the measure being perfectly justifiable, is, with respect to the extent and degree of danger to this country from allowing the Danish fleet to be armed and equipped; for if the capture or destruction of that fleet was essential to the security of this country, all the world must acknowledge the measure to be justified by the necessity in which it originated: self-defence, which is the first law of nature, is also the first principle of morality, and there is no maxim in politics more universally assented to, than that "salus populi suprema lex est. ”

“ But very soon the shepherd state afforded not only the time, but was calculated to excite a desire for the useful arts; and the gradual improvements of agriculture furnished the means of supplying food for those who, relieved from the necessity of bodily labour, were employed in the useful arts, and afterwards in cultivating such as contributed to the enjoyments and amusements of mankind: accordingly, we find the arts first made their appearance in the East, under a genial sky and in a fertile soil. ”

“ We were much pleased with the manner in which the Irish airs are introduced, the simple but beautiful melody of which has lost nothing by being transplanted into a foreign soil; a commendation which we have not at all times had it in our power to bestow upon some other foreign composers, under whose hands the originality of national song has been sacrificed by too studied and artificial accompaniments. ”

“ Fewer traces of chemistry are found among the Greeks, although they derived their knowledge of many of the arts from the Phœnicians. The ancient philosophers of Greece, as Pythagoras, Thales, and Plato, were more devoted to the cultivation of mathematical and astronomical knowledge, than the physical sciences. It is natural to suppose that the obvious difference or change of bodies that surround us, could not remain unnoticed by a people of so philosophical a turn of mind as the Greeks ”

“ On the side of Austria and Turkey, Europe appears to have gained considerably in strength during the year. Austria has at length learned in the school of adversity, that regular armies are not sufficient to save a country from such an enemy as Bonaparte. The Emperor of Austria has appealed to the spirit of his people, and they have answered his utmost wishes. By the immense levies which have been made, and the organization of their national militia, the defensive force of Austria has been nearly doubled in the course of the present year. ”

“ It is thus that the value of any science may fairly be estimated; namely, in proportion as it interests our understanding, as it enlarges our resources, augments our industry, our commerce, and our power. ”

“ The defendant had it in his power to deny either the quantum of the debt, or that he owed any thing to the person named in the inquisition, but that he could not do both. He had here chosen to do the latter, and for that purpose admitted the quantum by his protestation; and had further stated such fact in the inducement, as restrained the generality of the words used in the traverse, and confined them to a single point, namely, “the person to whom the money was due,” as much as if the word “alone” had been in the traverse. ”

“ Experience fatally taught them, that the feeble frame of man was subject to the languor of disease; that gold could neither allay the thirst of fever, assuage the agonies of pain, or purchase for its possessor the blessings of health. ”

“ In England, the promoters of natural history appear to be less ardent or less numerous, if we may judge from the number of publications that are daily commenced, and, after lingering for a short time, discontinued for want of encouragement: witness Bawer’s incomparable work, the "Kew Plants" in the three published numbers of which the most remarkable heaths are depicted in a style of excellence eclipsing all similar works that have preceded in this or in any other country. Perhaps the price of this work was deemed too high; and indeed half-a-guinea a plate may be a consideration to many. ”

“ It is universally admitted, that to cultivate a taste tor the arts, and an acquaintance with the sciences, is a pleasure of the most refined nature: but to do this without regard to its influence upon the passions and affections, is to “tear a tree for its blossoms, which is capable of yielding the richest and most valuable fruit.” ”

“ Whether his armies are sufficiently numerous to occupy all Spain, or whether the Spanish nation has sufficient spirit and resources to expel his armies a second time, remains yet to be decided.
The grand question now with respect to British politics is this: Has the country done its duty? or have ministers done their duty in giving adequate support to the cause of Spain? There is no doubt but that we have been liberal in granting all manner of supplies, of money, arms, and ammunition: Spain has acknowledged this service with the sincerest gratitude. ”

“ The cultivation of this taste may and ought to be subservient to higher and more important purposes: it should dignify and exalt our affections, and elevate them to the admiration and love of that Being an who is the author of every thing that is fair, sublime, and good in nature. Indeed scepticism and irreligion are hardly compatible with that sensibility of heart which results from an intimate knowledge of, and a lively relish for, the wisdom, harmony, and order subsisting in the world around us. ”