THE CHEMIST.

Chemistry is the science which treats of those events or changes in natural bodies/ by which new bodies are composed, or compound ones divided : its principal object is, to ascertain the principles or elements of which bodies are composed, and the laws by which the simple atoms of matter unite together, and form compounds.

Neither the origin, or primitive meaning of the word Chemistry, is accurately known. That it was used by the Greeks, soon after the
commencement of the Christian era, is certain, and many reasons coincide to render it probable, that it was of Egyptian origin. It
is certain that the Chemistry of the ancients was the name of an art of some kind or another. Suidas, a Greek writer, menntions this particularly in his Lexicon.

The honour of laying the foundation of the recent science of Chemistry, belongs to J ohn Joachim Becher, who was born at Spires,
in Germany, in 1645, where he became professor of medicine, and afterwards was appointed first physician to the elector of Mentz and Bavaria ; but he ended his days in England. His writings testify with what success he applied himself to the study of this important branch of natural philosophy. To name the illustrious men who laboured in this science, during the eighteenth century, would require a volume. Priestley, Scheele, Macquer, Blacky, Cavendish, and Lavoisier, are amongst the most eminent, some of whom have only, within a few years past, paid the debt of nature. Of living Chemists, Sir Humphry Davy, and Mr. Brande, the present professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, are eminently conspicuous.

Formerly the preparations of drugs were divided into two classes, termed chemical and galenical ; idle distinctions, which have nearly disappeared before the light which modern Chemistry has spread abroad. A more correct and just classification has obtained both in the science itself, and in the terms and names of the several substances, in consequence of the assiduity with which chemical investigation has been followed in many of the nations of Europe. The hidden qualities, or supposed qualities of matter, are now no longer taken for granted ; all must be weighed in the balance of experiment, and submitted to the severe test of philosophical truth : it is utterly impossible to say where our experiments may end. Water, for a long time, supposed to be a simple body, is now known to be a compound one ; the great powers which have been latterly acquired by a modified operation of electricity, called the Galvanic apparatus, have unfolded to us results and changes as extraordinary as unexpected, and which lead us not less to wonder at the infinite variety of the powers abounding in nature, than at the ingenuity and perseverance of man ; we may well conclude, therefore, that much yet remains to be explored : a deep mine for the future active genius of research.

It is scarcely possible to name a thing in the natural world, to which Chemistry does not either directly, or indirectly, apply. Heat,
light, air, electricity, the phenomena of the seasons, the different climates, the sea, mountains, volcanoes, mines, have all an intimate
connexion with this the first of all sciences. The boiling of a potato, the roasting of a piece of beef, the baking of a pie, or of a loaf of bread, are equally objects of the science of Chemistry. But, in a more confined sense, the Chemist is employed in the composition and decomposition of medicines designed for the cure or alleviation of disease : and in the manufacture of a variety of articles used in the arts.

The Chemist of trade, might be defined the maker of medicines ; the Druggist, the seller of them. In London, and many other places, a Chemist and Druggist are frequently combined in the same person, and in other instances, the trade of a Chemist is divided into a variety of branches. Some prepare compositions of mercury ; others refine saltpetre ; some distil essential oils ; and others, as the Apothecaries' Company, prepare the greatest part of the compositions themselves : some prepare the sulphuric acid, the nitric acid, the muriatic acid, and a few neutral salts only, in a very large way; whilst others distil oil of Turpentine, make pitch, lamp-black, &c.

The whole world is ransacked for the supply of the Chemist's elaboratory, and tChemist might choose, or have occasion for: it is generally constructed with an open chimney, in such a way, that if any unexpected explosion should take .place, the ignited materials might find a ready escape. It is furnished also with suitable benches, mortars, a sand heat, a variety of class vessels, consisting of retort, matrasses, funnels, &c &C. and a copper alembic, or still, for the purpose of procuring a variety of distilled waters, oils, &c. and a circular furnace for the purpose of boiling, melting, and otber processes, requiring the immediate contact of fire. But, indeed, from the great variety of operations in Chemistry, we scarcely find two elaboratories alike, either in their structure, or in the different vessels which they contain. The light, however, in them all, is most desirable, when thrown down from above and, of course, an elaboratory ought not to have any room, loft, or building over it.

'The Chemist and Druggist usually makes some of his articles, even if he be only a retailer, he also sells numerous quack medicines, and frequently makes many of these when the patents have expired, or if the nostrums be known : but this is a branch of his trade by no means so reputable as could be wished, although it generally brings in a good profit, and in stamps, produces a considerable revenue to government; To sell these, an annual license must be taken out from the Stamp-Office, and a stamp of a certain value, in proportion to the value of the article sold, must be affixed to every individual phial, box, pot, or other package or inclosure.

The Chemist and Druggist generally; also, dispenses Physicians' prescriptions, and by a late Act of Parliament, he is privileged so to
do, without being obliged to undergo an examination at Apothecaries' Hall.

We wish that it was in our power to speak of this trade as one in which the composition of medicines was uniformly correct, and
according to the directions of the London Pharmacopeia ; but we are sorry to say, that tales are told, which give us great reason to
fear, that many unworthy persons have obtruded themselves into this respectable body ; and that too much of system pervades the
trade generally, for it to be quite free from that. sophistication which, in medicine, is above all things, so much to be deprecated.

Except this drawback, the preparation and sale of medicines is a very respectable line of business, and one in which, with a tolerable share of judgment, great fortunes have been made. We believe, however, that the impressions of its profitableness have directed more competitors into it than can now find room ; the profits are, in consequence, a good deal lessened, and, perhaps, its respectability impaired.

The Drug-trade, as well as the Chemist's, in the large way, is a good deal sub-divided ; there are Drug merchants : those who import Drugs from abroad, and sell them to wholesale Druggists, who sell them again to the retailer. Some of these merchants import, and sell, only particular articles.

A lad who is designed for this trade will, certainly, best succeed in it, if he is previously acquainted with the rudiments of Latin at least and has some knowledge of Botany, and the Materia Medica. . It is a trade, of all others, the most intimately connected with
science. A premium of one hundred guineas is sometimes given with an apprentice. The Stock in trade of a retail Chemist and Druggist, may amount to a few hundred pounds. The stock of a Chemist and Druggist, in the wholesale trade, sometimes to many thousands.