Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester (Volume 1) - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1789 Excerpt: ... flattered myself, that these matters would be deemed sufficiently important, to engage the attention of the learned members of this Society. Instances too frequently occur, that most powerfully call for the generosity and compassion of mankind; and though our abilities rarely arrive at the divine perfection of giving sight to the blind, we shall always experience a conscious benevolent satisfaction, in ministering to their knowledge, their convenience and happiness. A TREATISE ON SALTPETRE, By James MasseY, Esq.. si quid novisti rectius istit Candidas Imperti, si non his utere mecum. INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. HPHE great importance of Saltpetre, since the invention of gun-powder, is too well known to be here expatiated upon, as well as the numerous rewards that have been offered to those who should give us the clearest and best accounts qf its a sure sign that, notwithstanding it has been been long made in very considerable quantities in almost every part of Europe, our knowledge of this salt is still very imperfect. This induced the author of the following pages, many years ago, to turn his attention to this subject, and he flatters himself, that, by long observation, and a practice which, though pot very extensive, may have been sufficient for this purpose, he has made such discoveries, as may render the business of saltpetre making no less easy and familiar to his countrymen, than it has long been to our neighbours upon the continent. He never, indeed, could be brought to believe, that it was owing to any defect in our climate, or to the want of materials, that we have so often sailed in our attempts this way, but merely to our inattention to some particular points in the practical part, upon which our success, in a great measure, depended. These, theref...