DALTON, JOHN.

New Theory of the Constitution of mixed Gases elucidated. (November 1802 - Communicated by the Author).

London, Printed for Alexander Tilloch,1802. 8vo. Contemp. blue boards. Titlelabel with gilt lettering. Spine slightly rubbed. In: "The Philosophical Magazine. By Alexander Tilloch", Vol. IV. Engraved portrait (Richard Kirwan). 380 pp. a. 6 engraved plates. Dalton's paper: pp. 169-173.

First printing of an importent paper in which Dalton clarifies certain unclear points in his famous essays "Experimental essays on the constitution of mixed gases....", published 1801-02. These essays "gave him at once European reputation... by these discoveries meteorology was constituted a science" (D.N.B.).

"I propose therefore (after some misunderstanding from Thomson and others), 1st, To state, in as clear a point of view as the subject will admit, the principles which I assume: 2d, To show that the consequences which I have deduced from them are legitimate; and, particularly, that mixed elastic fluids ought not to arrange themselves according to their specific gravity: and, 3d, To demonsrate that the supposition of the gases constituting the stmospere being held in a state of equal diffusion by chemical affinity, is not only inconsistent with the phaenomena, but is completely absurd" (John Dalton in the paper).

Smyth "John Dalton... A Bibliography", No 29 (listing it here as it was the same text as part 4, which it is not).

Order-nr.: 49295