with quick-lime upon pure air. New lone, gives out a good deal of pure air, and is not revived, nor can it be but by means of charcoal made minium, for inftance, gives out in diftillation no fixed air; but if it be expofed to the air and then diftilled, that air is obtained. Metallic calces, when triturated with fal ammoniac, decompofe it as quicklime does. All thefe facts, and many others, lead me to imagine that thefe caices contain the fame principle with quick-lime, the matter of fire combined, as almost all the ancient chemists have faid, and which may either be denominated matter of fire with Lemery, caufticon with Meyer, or the principle of heat with Scheele, &c. I am therefore of opinion, that the meta, in the proccfs of calcination, lofes its inflammable principle, and combines with the fire, and a greater or lefs quantity of pure air. < < But it is faid, what becomes of the inflammable air of the metal in this calcination? How are the calces of gold, of filver, of mercury, of platina, revived alone and without addition, while at the fame time pure air is difengaged? The metal in its calcination acquires a weight equal to that of the air which it abforbs; and after reduction, the fame quantity of pure air is obtained.' 1 anfwer, ift, That the accuracy mentioned in thefe experiments has never been obtained; for thofe metallic calces are only made ufe of, and that of mercury in particular, which are made by means of acids. Now it is proved, that in the folution of all metals a fmall portion of the metal uiformly efcapes; that another part is Jolt in the washing, filtration, &c. that we can never be fure of a perfect deficcation, nor of the portion of acid decomposed; thefe are four fources of erior, and a fifth is, that in the reduc. tion, part of the metal paffes off with The air, and a part of the calx is fubJimed in the neck of the vefels. 2. All metallic calces are not revived by the lofs of pure air. The calx of manganefe, when diftilled a 3. All calces, fuch as those of gold, filver, 'mercury, and platina, are never revived without the affittance of heat or of light now it is my opinion, that this light or heat, combining with a portion of pure air, forms the inflammable air, which is neceffary for the reduction. Many experiments feem to prove this production of inflammable air, by means of pure air and light combined. The nitrous acid, expofed to light or heat, in veffels half full and hermetically fealed, becomes fmoking (rutiint). Now Scheele has proved, that in this cafe a fall portion of pure air is difengaged; this air cannot efcape, and therefore I fuppofe that it unites with a portion of the matter of light, or of heat, and forms intiammabie air. This laft combining with the acid, changes it into the above-mentioned ftate. The white caix of filver expofed to light becomes black, as it does when expofed to inflammable air. Now this calx in the light, alfo gives out a fmall portion of pure air, whence it is probable that this pure air, combining with light, produces inflammable air. The fulphureous and phofphoric acids, inclofed by Dr Prieitly in tubes half filled with air, and expofed to heat for feveral days, were changed into fulphur and phofphorus. Inflammable air is conftantly produced both by vegetables and animals: and, laftly, that which I kept for a long time ever water in clute veffels, was confiderably diminished, loft its inflammability, and approached fo near to pure air, that it could maintain combustion. It cannot, therefore, be denied, 1. that inflammable air contains a portion of pure air; 2. that this laft ains combined with another principle, to fubtile as to be difperfed through the veffels; and, 3. that its powers of giving out flame and light, its levity, &c. are proofs that it contains the matter of fire or of light. Now thefe principles occur in the reduction of the metallic calces; they furnish the pure air, which immediately unites with the matter of fire or of Fight. Many other facts confirm this hypothefis. The calx of bifmuth exbibits the fame phenomena with that of filver, of which we have spoken. Laftly, in precipitating the nitrous folutions of filver, of mercury, &c. by quick-lime, and the caullic, fixed, or volatile alkalies, the precipitates are blackish. Light, heat, and quick Time, therefore, produce in this cafe the fame effects with inflammable air. Is it not probable that this light, or this heat, combining with a portion of pure air, which is always ditengaged in thefe operations, produces inflammable air; or at least the principle, which exits in quick-lime and the cauftic alkalies, and which approaches nearly to the nature of inflammable air? When we fubje&t the calces of gold, mercury, filver, &c, to a confiderable heat, a greater quantity of indammable air is formed, and they are compleatly revived; but, at the fame time, the pure ait, which was not employed in the reduction or in the formation of the inflammable air, is dilengaged under the form of pure air. On this account, none of thofe metals that are called perfect can be calcined by heat, because they are revived as foon as they are calciped; and mercury, in the preparation of red precipitate, cannot be calcined, except in a degree of heat which is too in.all to revive it. The metallic calx ferves here as a bafis for the combination of the pure air with light, in order to the production of inflammable air, in the fame way as calcareous earth in nitre pits is the bails necellary for the formiation of the nitrous and marine acids, and of the alkalies. But it mult be owned, that the calces of the other metals cannot favour this production of air, because they require a greater quantity of it. It has been faid, that if the metallic calces precipitated by the cauftic volatile alkali, are in part revived, it is because the alkali is decompofed; its inflammable air unites with the pure air contained in the calx, and forms water, while the metal refumes its firft qualities, and the other principle of the alkali the phlogifticated air difengages itself.' To this I anfwer, it is demonftrated that this explanation is abfolutely hypothetical, as is evident from the following facts. 1. I precipitated a nitrous folution of filver by the caustic ammoniacal alkali, in a pneumatochymical apparatus. phlogiflicated air difengaged. The fame took place with a folution of iron, 2. The precipitates when washed, and the liquor evaporated, produced ammoniacal nitre. 3. The cauftic fixed alkalies and lime-water produce nearly the fame effects as admoniacal alkali. There was no For M. d'Arcet has the wn, that, by precipitating the vitriol of iron by common cauftic, a blackifh precipitate is obtained, as if the precipitation had been made by the canftic volatile alkali. It is not the inflammable air, which is not found either in the cauftic fixed alkali, nor in the quick-lime, which is the caufe of these effects, but the peculiar principle that exifts in the quick-lime. It will fill be alked, What becomes, in the calcination of metals, of the inflammable air which I allow to be prefont there? Beginning with known facis, I anfwer, that the inflammable air and a portion of pure air, when burnt together, allow the water they contain to be difengaged; that this water either evaporates or combines with the other portion of pure ait, which unites with the calx. Cur opponents are obliged to admic this combination of water in metallic calces, for they confefs, that pere air always' contains a pretty large quantity of of water. Now fince they affirm that precifely the fame weight is recovered, they must grant, that the water had remained in the calx. Belides, if I fhould ever allow that inflammable air does not exist naturally in metals, water being effential to it, and that perhaps there is no water in these fubftances, but only that principle which, joined with water, forms fuch air, it would not be the lefs neceffary to acknowledge, that that principle cannot be the matter of heat; for water reduced to vapour is water united with the matter of heat, but it does not for that reafon conftitute inflammable air. In short, all inflammable air contains pure air, fince, when decompofed by being held over water, there is always a refidue of pure air. This pure air is the bafis of inflammable air, and is combined with another fubftance, which gives it levity, inflammability, &c. and confequently can be nothing but the mat ter of heat under a peculiar form. But this fubftance, whatever it may be, which united with pure air, forms inflammable air, does not appear to me to be that which when combined with pure air, forms fixed air; and in this, my view of the matter differs from that of the other advocates of phlogifton. Original Anecdote of Peter the Great's Father.-By Maria Andréevna Countefs Rumantzof, Grand-Daughter of the Boyar Artémin Matfcof. TZAR Atex of Peter the Great, that i difturb nobody, and that none ZAR ALEXEI MICHAILOVITSH, thee; upon this condition, however, was pleafed to confer his particular get up from table till they have fupconfidence on the Boyar Artémin ped. Whatever your Majefty pleaMatfeof, grandfather to Maria And- fes and commands must be to the horeérna Rumantzof (mother of Field nour of my house,' returned Matfeof. Marthal Rumanizof Zadunaifiki, chancellor for foreign affairs) principale dame d'honneur, and fince, in 1775, made oberhofmeifterinn to her prefent Majelty, Catharine II. The Tzar, after the death of his firf Czarina, the princefs Miloflauviki, went often to vifit Matfeof, contrary To the custom of former Tzars, who never visited private perfons, and would fometimes even take his fupper with him.-One evening coming in unexpectedly, and feeing the table fet for fupper with great neatnefs, he faid to Maifeof, The table seems so neatly and prettily covered, I feel a strong defire to fit down to it with you. Yes, I will follow the fuggeftions of my appetite, and place myfelf at table by The fupper was ferred up, and the, Tzar fat down to table. The mistrefs of the houfe enters, with their only fon, and a young lady, who, after making their profoundelt reverences, obey the Tzar's commands and take their places at the table. During the fupper, the Tzar looked frequently round upon the little company, and feemed to take particular notice of the young lady that fat over-against him, as not recollecting that he had ever feen her before as one of Marfeof's children. I always thought,' faid his Majefty, that thou hadft no other child than that boy; but now I fee, for the first time, that thou hast a daughter likewife: how camest thou never to mention her to me? • Your There are no titles analagous to thefe in English; and fo, when one does not tranflate at all, one is fure not to tranflate amifs. Your Majefty thought perfectly right,' anfwered Matfeof: I have but that one fon; but the young lady that fits oppofite is the daughter of my friend and relation, the nobleman Kyrilla Narishkin, who lives in the country on his eftate, whom my wife has taken into the house, to fhew her the city, and in God's good time, to get her well provided for.' The Tzar faid nothing more, than that he had done a good deed, which therefore must be agreeable to God.' After fupper, when Matfeof's family were rifen from table, and gone to their own apartment, the Tzar chofe to continue fitting with his hot. His Majefty refumed the fubject of the young lady, Natalia Kyrillovna, and faid, The maiden has a handfome appearance, the feems to have a good heart, and is not too young to be married. Thou must endeavour to get her a fit hufband.'-Yes,' anfwered Matfeof; your Majefty judges right ly of her; the poffefes an excellent understanding, with the greateft modefty, and the best of hearts. My wife and the whole family are encommonly fond of her, and confider her as if the were our darling daughter. But as to a fuitor for her, that is what we are not foon likely to expect. She has indeed numberlefs good qualities, but little or no wealth; and if I fhould meet with an opportunity to fettle her, the portion I could afford out of my narrow fortune would be but small.' -The Tzar upon this replied, She muft find a sweetheart that has fo much property himself as to ftand in need of nothing from her, but confider her good qualities as the greatest and beft of portions, and make it his endeavour to render her happy.This is just what I could with,' faid Matfeof; but where fhall I find fuch a lover, who looks more for excellent qualities in his bride, than for a fplendid fortune?'-Oh yes,' faid the Tzar, they are still to be found very frequently: 6 do thou think occafionally thereupon, and I myself will likewife look out for fome fuch match. The maiden is de ferving of all the pains we can take to make her happy.-Matfeof thanked his Majefty for fo gracious an intimation of his kindnefs; and there the matter remained. The Tzar wished him a good night, and took himself a-way. A few days afterwards his Majefty came again to Matfeof, difcourfed with him for a couple of hours ca ftate-affairs, and, after getting up, feemingly with a defign to take leave and go away, on a ludden took his. chair, and fat down afresh. Now tell me,' faid he to Matfeof, “haft thou not forgot our late converfation about providing a lover for Natalia Kyrillovna ? 'No, moft gracious Sir,' anfwered Matfeof; I bear it continually in mind, and only with it were to fome effect. I have found nothing table for her yet, and I much doubt that a proper offer will foon be made'; for, though a number of our young noblemen come to vifit me, and confequently often fee my charming fofter-daughter, they none of them give any intimation about marriage.' Well,' faid the Tzar, perhaps ic may not be neceffary. I told thee that I would myself ufe fore endeavour to provide a bridegroom for her. I have had the good fortune to find one, with whom he will probably be very con tented and happy. I know the man; he is an honourable and worthy perfon, has merit, and wealth enough not to be under the neceflity of afking aaellate or portion with her. He loves her, will marry, and make her happyThou knoweft him too, though probably he hath hitherto not discovered his intention to marry. I think likewife that, when he applies to thee, thou wilt not give him a denial, Matfeof here interrupted the Tzar, by faying, As I just told your Majesty, that would be a molt defirable thing; it would free me from a great concern I have continually at heart about this poor girl. Dare I now befeech your Majelty to tell me the man's name? Perhaps I know him likewife, and can inform your Majefty fomething of his circumstances.' 'I have told thee that I know the man,' returned the Tzar; that he is a worthy honest fellow, and capable of rendering his wife happy: this thou mayeft take my word for. I can fay no more of him, till we know whether Natalia Kyrillovna will be willing to have him.' There is no doubt of that,' return ed Matfeof, when the hears that your Majefty has provided her a spouse. In the mean time, he must know who the perfon is, that flie may give her anfwer. This, I think, is but reafonable,'' Well then, faid the Tzar, I give thee to know, that I myself am the min that hath refolved to marry her, if the be inclined to it. Do thou tell her this, and afk her, whether the can approve of me.' At this unexpected declaration of the Tzar, Matfeof was filled with aftonishment, threw himself at his feer, and faid: 'I befeech your Majefly, for the love of heaven, that you will change your refolution; or, at least, that you will not order me to acquaint the young lady with it. Moft gracibus Sovereign, you know full well that I have already a great many enemies at court, and among the principal families of the empire, who are jealous of the favour and confidence your Majefty is pleafed to allow me. What an outery will there be among them, when they find your Majefty has preferred a marriage with a poor maiden of my family to a connection with one of the principal ladies at court! Doubtlefs their hatred and malice against me will cover all the land; and every one will think that I have abused your Majesty's favour, and unworthily contrived to bring about the match, for the fake of failing myfelf ftill higher in your Majesty's regard, and for elevating my family to a connection with that of the Tzar's.' 6 All that will nothing fignify,' replied the Tzar: the affair is mine, and thou haft no business with it. My refolution is taken, and thereby I tha!! remain. Well, be it according to your Majefty's pleasure,' faid Matfeof; and may God blefs your Majefty with every kind of profperity! Since it is to be fo, let me beg only one favour for myfelf and for Natalia Kvrillovna, which is, that your Majefty will proceed in the matter according to the custom of the empire, and with as little noife as poffible, by ordering a number of the marriageable young ladies of the principal families, and among them Natalia Kyrillovna, to appear together at court, with the defign of chufing one of them for a bride; and, in the mean time, that no perfon befide your Majefly and myself not even Natalia Kyrillovna, have the fighteft intimation of your purpose and refolution.' The Tzar found this procedure highly proper; and accordingly bade Matfeof be prepared for the event, and to difcover his intention to no one.A few weeks afterwards, he declared his defign of marrying again to the heads of the church and his chief miniiters in a private council; and farther told them, that on fuch a courtday all the marriageable daughters of the chief nobles were to be commanded to appear at court, that his Majesty might confider them, and chufe bride. This was accordingly done theof September, 1670, in the Kremlin palace at Mofcow, when fixty noble ladies prefented themselves in their moft fuperb attire, and among them Natalia Kyrillovna Narifhkina, in neat and pretty apparel. They were all fumptuously entertained by the Tzar; but Natalia was declared to be the Monarch's bride. M. M. M. Ол |