Ancient and Modern Learning.
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they (n) (n) Nec pondere aut facilitate materiæ prælatum est cæteris metallis, cum cedat per utrumque plumbo. N. H. lib. xxxiii. cap. 3.believed that Lead was heavier, and more ductile than Gold.
Some Passages likewise are produced by Borrichius, to prove that the Ancients understood something of Calcinations, and the Use of Lixiviate Salts: But these Things are very few, very imperfect, and occasional. Chymistry was not esteemed as a distinct Art; or the Analyses thereby produced, worthy a Philosopher's Notice; though the Industry of later Ages have found them to be so regular and remarkable, that many Persons have thought that the Constituent Principles of Mixed Bodies are no other Way so certainly to be found out. Hence have the Hypotheses of the Paracelsians taken their Beginning; who held, that Salt, Sulphur and Mercury were the active Principles of Composition of all Mixed Bodies. Hence several others have been led to believe, that the Primary Constituents of very many Bodies were Acid and Alkalizate Salts. Which Hypotheses, though liable to many Exceptions, as Mr. Boyle (o)(o) Sceptical Chymist, and Product. of Chymical Principles. has fully proved, are founded upon such a Variety of surprizing Experiments, that those who firststarted
