A Text-Book of Elementary Chemistry: Theoretical and Inorganic (Classic Reprint)

Within the past ten years, Chemical science has undeine a remarkable revolution. The changes which have so entirely altered the aspect of the science, however, are not, as some seem to suppose, changes merely in the names and formulas of chemical compounds ;for in this, the science is but reluming to principles long ago established by Berzelius. They are changes which have had their origin in the discovery, first, that each element has a fixed and definite combining power of equivalence; and second, that in a chemical compound, the arrangement of the atoms is of quite as much importance as their kind or number. The division of the elements into groups, according to the law of equivalents, necessitated a revision, and in some cases, an alteration, of their atomic weights; while, in obedience to the second law, molecular formulas were reconstructed so ag to express this atomic arrangement. The importance of these laws can not be overestimated. By (he former, all the compounds formed by any element may be with certainty predicted; by the latter, all the modes of atomic grouping maybe foreseen, and the possible isomers of any substance be pre-determined. I nstead, therefore, of being a heterogeneous collection of facts, Chemistry has now become a true science, based upon a sound philosophy. The first part of this booic is intended to be an elementary treatise upon Theoretical Chemistry. It aims to present the principles of the science as they are held by the best chemists of the day upon a new plan of treatment which the author has found simple and satisfactory inhis own teaching. In studying it, it is desirable that the student commit to memory the portions given in laie type; white the examples given in small type, he may recite in his own language. These, it must be remembered, are to be extended by the teacher until the principles they illustrate are clear t
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