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OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS.

FIRE.

1. ALTHOUGH the researches of modern philosophers have discovered that FIRE, AIR, EARTH, and WATER, are not really elements or simple substances, but bodies made. up of several component parts, which may be separated by the chemist's art, they are still usually spoken of as "THE FOUR ELEMENTS."

2. The nature of FIRE is such that, while it is a powerful element in making experiments on, and developing the constituent parts of, other substances, it cannot itself be experimented on; all we know, therefore, respecting it is, that it is a subtile,* penetrating fluid, existing in all bodies, capable of being transferred from one to another, dilating or enlarging all bodies that it penetrates, by degrees changing some substances into a state of fluidity and vapour; and the cause of that sensation, which we denominate heat.

3. ICONOLOGY represents this element under the form of a young female, of a ruddy complexion, and in red garments; over her head the sun shines resplendent; in one hand she holds a vaset of fire, in which is a SALAMANDER; and in the other, the forked lightning and a thunderbolt. She appears suspended in the air, to show

* Thin; piercing; (cunning, deceitful.)

† A vessel, generally ornamental; a vessel rather for show than use. There is, in fact, no such thing as a visible thunderbolt. The idea of its being a solid body arose from the view of its effects. When lightning acts with extraordinary violence, and breaks or shatters any thing, it is erroneously called a thunderbolt; which the vulgar and ignorant, judging only from the visible effects, and having

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her lightness; and around her are the winds, which nourish and increase the fierceness of fire. Among the GREEKS and ROMANS, Vulcan and Vesta were the God and Goddess of Fire.

4. The SALAMANDER is one of the attributes of fire, from the mistaken idea long entertained, and, perhaps, not yet wholly eradicated, that it can exist uninjured, in that element.

5. It is a harmless animal, of the lizard genus, found in many parts of Europe, though not in England, frequenting moist, shady places, woods, &c., and sometimes stagnant pools, and other waters. It is of a black colour, variegated with orange yellow spots.

6. On the back and sides are many large open pores, from whence exudes an acrid liquor, which has probably given rise to the unfounded opinion that it can resist the action of fire. When submitted to the cruel experiment, a large quantity of this moisture is secreted, which, for a short time, may damp the fury of the flame, but eventually the wretched animal is consumed. May this explanation conduce to the abolition of an experiment, as barbarously cruel as it is useless!

7. Excepting WATER, probably, there is nothing to which man is more indebted, for comfort and convenience, than to this element.

8. By it his food is rendered palatable, and adapted for his nourishment; the chill blast of winter is rendered

no idea of force produced by any thing but a solid body, suppose to be a hard body, and indeed, even a stone, or a mass of fused metals. But a knowledge of the effects of gunpowder, and of the PULVIS FULMINANS, or fulminating powder, as well as of the astonishing powers of ELECTRICITY, will be sufficient to account, in reflecting minds, for those commonly attributed to the thunderbolt. It has been supposed that meteoric stones may have given rise to the notion of a thunderbolt.

comparatively powerless; the hard and massive metals are made fluid, or ductile,* and moulded into whatever shape his fancy may suggest; and the shrubs and herbs of the earth are compelled to give out their most precious juices to furnish him with medicines, with perfumes, and with condiments.t

9. Some of the ancients were of opinion, that FIRE was the active principle of NATURE: and indeed, this idea is in some measure true, for were it not for FIRE, the motion of men and animals, and the growth of vegetables, would utterly cease; as we may plainly perceive by the solidity which fluids assume during that time of temporary privation of FIRE, or HEAT, which we call WINTER.

10. Contrary to WATER, however, FIRE may be considered as a simple element; that is to say, all its particles are of one nature; the absence of all contrariety in its component particles proves it to be a simple element, and its universal tendency to ascend, proves it to be a body extremely light.f

11. SIR ISAAC NEWTON defines FIRE to be a body heated so hot as to emit light copiously; but this definition has been subsequently objected to as being vague, expressing rather the manner of its appearance, than the manner of its existence.

12. Moreover, were this definition correct, it would seem, that FIRE is not a specific substance, having an

* Flexible; pliable; easy to be expanded, or to be drawn out into length also, tractable; obsequious; complying; yielding.

+ Sauces; spices; seasonings; things that excite the appetite by pungency of taste.

By this is meant, that FIRE approaches nearer to a simple element than does WATER; but how far it is simple, or how far it is compounded, is not at present in our power to determine.

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