Volltext Seite (XML)
/ P R E F A C E. Numerous and rapid as have been the, - improvements made in the branches of natural knowledge chiefly (Cultivated in France and England lince the year 1784 (that in vvhich the firft edition of thefe Elements has appeared), thofe that have lallen to the fnare of Mineralogy, the branch vvith us leaft attended to, have equalled and lcept pace with them. I11 the preceding de- cennial period, from 1774 to 1784, Mine- ralogy may be Eid to have for the firft time aflumed its rank among the fciences, its limpleft elements having been for the moft part difcovered, and eftablifhed within that period, its leading diftinftio'ns afcertained, and the great art of relolving the moft complex into the fimpleft fubftances not • barely improved, but in a manner created. ln the lucceeding period, from 17S4 to the prefent year, our knowledge refpe&ing eaclv, a 3 of