PREFACE.
Having denominated the following work an epitome of Electricity and Galvanism, it seems reasonable to request that the reader should keep the nature of our plan in view. If the book do not contain, on the subjects proposed to be treated, all that is most important, let it be condemned. But let not detail be expected where the design requires conciseness. There are some articles under which we were obliged, either to omit unimportant improvements, or to occupy several pages in describing them.
Where, however, omissions of any consequence have taken place, we have endeavoured carefully to refer to the books which will supply them; so that our work may not only teach the elements and substance of the science, but direct those who wish to pursue it most extensively—We particularly regretted that we could not describe a variety of electrometers.
Short as our work is, we found it, notwithstanding, scarcely practicable to avoid some repetition. In a few instances the historical and scientific parts may be observed, in a small degree, to interfere. Where history was useful to illustrate experiment, or experiment composed a part of history, we did not choose to separate what perspicuity required to be kept together. We hope, on the whole, that we do not need more indulgence in this respect, than we shall readily find, from those who are fond of the subjects which it was our business and our pleasure to investigate.
In making our epitome, we have often written without a special reference to any book; sometimes we have abridged the writings of others; sometimes we have taken paragraphs with the alteration of a few words; and sometimes we have introduced full quotations. In the latter case, we have always wished to make a distinct reference to the author quoted; and in other cases, we have generally made our acknowledgments where we were particularly indebted. But as our work was begun without any determination to publish it, we have probably made some selections, of which we have ourselves forgotten the authors from whom they were taken. Of the fairness of a work of this nature, we suppose there can be no question. Johnson, when speaking of the system of logic published by Watts, has made our apology—“If he owes part of it to Le Clerk, it must be considered, that no man who undertakes merely to methodise or illustrate a system, pretends to be its author.”
As impositions are often attempted, by soliciting patronage for publications of little value, we felt the importance of obtaining, in behalf of our work, the approbation of competent judges—The public will admit that it has been obtained; and the professional gentlemen who have favoured us with it in the most obliging and disinterested manner, will excuse our offering them this public tender of our grateful acknowledgments.
With these remarks we commit our little work to the candour of the public, conscious of having assiduously laboured to furnish a book which, though it appeared to us to be much wanted, had not yet been written or compiled. Our views will be fully answered, if it shall be found well adapted to assist youth in their academical and philosophical studies, and at the same time, to afford amusement to men of learning, and some useful information to gentlemen of leisure.