CHAP. XXI - OF THE ELEMENTS

Summary

When we come to the elements, we take leave of our mechanics; becaufe we come to thofe things, of the organization of which, if they be organized, we are confeffedly ignorant. This ignorance is implied by their name. To fay the truth, our inveftigations are ftopped long before we arrive at this point. But then it is for our comfort to find, that a knowledge of the conftitution of the elements is not neceffary for us. For inftance, as Addifon has well obferved, “we know water fufficiently, when we know how to boil, how to freeze, how to evaporate, how to make it frefh, how to make it run or fpout out, in what quantity and direction we pleafe, without knowing what water is.” The obfervation of this excellent writer has more propriety in it now, than it had at the time it was made: for the conftitution, and the conftituent parts, of water, appear in fome meafure to have been lately difcovered; yet it does not, I think, appear, that we can make any better or greater ufe of water fince the difcovery, than we did before it.

We can never think of the elements without reflecting upon the number of diftinct ufes which are confolidated in the fame fubftance. The air fupplies the lungs, fupports fire, conveys found, reflects light, diffufes fmells, gives rain, wafts fhips, bears up birds.