It may be added that he was many years seeking
to accomplish this object, and that he allowed nothing to escape
his notice that related to the subject. Like the falling of an
apple, it was suggestive of an important fact to one whose mind
was previously prepared to draw an inference from any occurrence
which might favor the object of his research. While the inventor
admits that these discoveries were not the results of scientific
chemical investigations, _he is not willing to admit that they
were the result of what is commonly termed accident_; he claims
them to be the result of the closest application and observation.
"The discoloring and charring of the specimens proved nothing and
discovered nothing of value, but quite the contrary, for in the
first instance, as stated in the acid gas improvement, the
specimen acted upon was thrown away as worthless and left for some
time; in the latter instance, the specimen that was charred was in
like manner disregarded by others.
"It may, therefore, be considered as one of those cases where the
leading of the Creator providentially aids his creatures, by what
are termed 'accidents,' to attain those things which are not
attainable by the powers of reasoning he has conferred on them.
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