Infancy of Chemistry

Abstract

THE early ages of chemistry possess a romantic glamour unshared by those of any other major science, which perhaps explains why chemists are so generally interested in the history of their subject. Prof. Read's interest reaches the level of enthusiasm, and though he expressly disclaims to have attempted to add to the formal literature of chemical history, his book which may be appropriately classed among the belles lettres of chemistry could have been written only by a scholar deeply and widely read in both primary and secondary authorities. His guiding principle has been to show the cultural relationships of alchemy, examining the numerous points of contact it made with religion, philosophy, mysticism, magic, mythology, literature and even music, and exhibiting it in proper perspective against its general social and intellectual background.

Prelude to Chemistry:

an Outline of Alchemy, its Literature and Relationships. By Prof. John Read. Pp. xxiv + 328 + 64 plates. (London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1936.) 12s. 6d. net.