Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
considerations, for one, vanished altogether, to be replaced by fervent ar-
guments that highlighted the social usefulness of chemistry. Manufactur-
ers could free themselves “from the old routine”, and “a source of plenty
for many” would come into being if one knew the basics of chemistry -
this was the repeated message of the authors mentioned above (Girardin
1851, pp. i-ii). Didactically, too, there were striking differences to the
popular chemistry topics published between 1795 and 1815. Popularizing
strategies such as the dialogue, the letter format, and the catechistic ques-
tion-and-answer game were now absent. In their educational approach
vis-à-vis industrialists and craftsmen all authors gave priority to the sys-
tematic nature of the science of chemistry. “Popularity, in the sense of
comprehensibility for those without any education” was no longer the
goal that had to be pursued at all cost (Erdmann 1836, pp. iii-iv). The
treatment of the subject matter should avoid both overly systematic rigid-
ity and overly indulgent popularity. In this respect, the popular chemistry
topics from that period were fairly conventional chemistry textbooks.
Apart from a slightly larger concern for industry, their content hardly dif-
fered from the prominent standard work by Berzelius, which appeared in
Dutch in that same period. But their approach was quite dissimilar, as is
reflected in the use of language, the conciseness of the prose, and the
emphasis on illustration and demonstration (Berzelius 1834-41; Verbong
& Homburg 1994, pp. 248-9).
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7.
Affordable and Illustrated topics for all Classes
The evening classes on technical chemistry in various Dutch towns and
cities drew large crowds. An attendance of more than one hundred per
evening was not unusual. Yet in view of the original aim of catering to
craftsmen these courses were hardly successful. If manufacturers, offi-
cers, and other upper middle class members showed up regularly, it was
much harder for workmen and craftsmen to have that same commitment
because of their long working days and the cost of the topics (Russell
1983, pp. 157-60). Prices of nearly three to seven guilders or more meant
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Some 'popular' authors explicitly compared their undertaking with the textbook by
Berzelius (W.S. Swart, 'Voorrede', in: Erdmann 1836, pp. vi-vii).
