The Romance of Modern Chemistry

5S5^hbS^^^^^^^SB8SI8SB8BS99SSKSaaBHHBHHHi THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE trust in an abstract theory than in any experimental facts had something to do with the persistence of the belief, but in addition certain chemical phenomena were known, which to a superficial observer would seem to show that one metal could be converted into another. For example, there is the experiment, which any one may repeat, of putting a piece of iron, such as a steel knife-blade, into a solution of blue vitriol or sulphate of copper. However short a time the iron is left in the blue vitriol solution, it comes out exactly like copper, with the same character- istic reddish colour. This is a very simple straightforward experiment, and to the alchemist it admitted of no other explanation than that the iron had been converted into copper. We know now that no such change takes place: some copper comes out of the solution and is deposited on the surface of the iron, while by way of holding the balance even, an equivalent amount of the iron passes into solution. Other circumstances also favoured the postponement of the day when the truth about the transmutation of metals was to be recognised. For one thing, the alchemists received valuable support from princes and rulers who were in financial difficulties. It was thought distinctly worth while to have a man about court who might be able to produce gold out of practically nothing, and alche- mists were therefore encouraged to continue their search for the philosopher’s stone, often at considerable expense to their patrons. This money aspect of the business, as the reader will easily understand, led naturally to all sorts of (packs and charlatans setting up as alchemists, and im- posing on the credulity or stupidity of princes who were in want of money. Again, the air of secrecy which pervaded the alche- 25