University of Virginia Library

1214. CHEMISTRY, Utility of.—

Speaking
one day with Monsieur de Buffon, on the
present ardor of chemical inquiry, he affected
to consider chemistry but as cookery, and to
place the toils of the laboratory on a footing
with those of the kitchen. I think it, on the
contrary, among the most useful of sciences,
and big with future discoveries for the utility
and safety of the human race.—
To Rev. James Madison. Washington ed. ii, 431.
(P. 1788)