AMERICAN EDITION. xix 



" All thefe atoms poffefs the fame general properties, and do not 

 " differ from each other in any effential refpeft. Though, from their 

 « different operations upon the fenfes, is inferred a difference among 

 « them as to fize, fhape, and heavinefs. Their figures, in particlur, 

 « are varied in an endlefs manner, fo as to take on every mechanical 

 " form : but in all thefe cafes they are {till infrangible and incapable 

 " of farther divifion. 



« Each atom contains, within itfeif, an active energy, or internal 

 ** force, by which it is either conftantly in motion, or making an effort 

 " to move ; and this is denominated gravity. Thefe atoms, impelled 

 " by gravity through void [pace in curvilinear courfes, ftnke againft 

 " each other, exercife repelling powers, and produce vibration or agi- 

 " tation ; and as this gravitating power is effential to matter, it can 

 « never be ina&ive, but muff be always at work, and has been fo from 

 V eternity. 



" Every compound body, being made up of individual atoms, there. 

 " fore potfeffes the united energy of them all, which energy is the Jole 

 "-agent in nature ; but by reafon of their different figures, their 

 " varied magnitudes, and particular fituations, it is varioufly modifi- 

 " ed ; as when the atoms are hooked or rough, motion will be retarded 

 " among them, and be facilitated when they are round and fmooth, as 

 " in the principles of fire and animation. Bodies thus being compof- 

 " ed of atoms, derive their actions from the energy inherent in and 

 " proceeding from thefe atoms. 



" All alterations happening in bodies, whether in their fhape, hard- 

 " nefs, fweetnefs, &c. are afcribable to the change taking place in the 

 " arrangement, difpofition, Sec. of the conftituent particles ; and thus 

 " porolity, tranfparency, elafticity, malleability, &c. are to be account- 

 " ed for in the fame way. Gravity being an effential property of mat- 

 " ter, all corpufcules, and all bodies formed of them, muff be heavy. 

 " Thus, from thefe properties of bodies, their feveral combinations 

 " and mechanical operations, arife other more complex phenomena, 

 ** referable however to the principle of motion, fuch as the heating of 

 " bodies from the influx of foft, round and fmooth particles ; the cool- 

 ic ing of them from the ingrefs of atoms of oppofite and irregular 

 " figures ; even fenfations, both of the pleafurable and painful kinds, 

 " motion, reft, and time itfeif, are contingences to bodies. In fhort, 

 " the whole phenomena of the production, growth, nutrition, decline, 

 " and diffolution of bodies, is to be afcribed to an alteration of ar- 

 «' rangement in the particles, and to their addition or fubtra&ion. 



" Minerals, plants, and animals were thus produced in the beginning, 

 " according to thefe mechanical laws of matter and motion, and fo was 

 «* the world they compofe and inhabit. They continue to propagate 

 " their kinds in regular ways,becaufe nature has become accuflomed,by 

 " babiti to produce them in an order fo uniform as to look like defign. 

 " The eye, however, was not made for feeing, nor the ear for hearing ; 

 " but having been accidentally formed in fuch a way as to aniwer 

 " thefe psrpofesj this fentient principle within, which is co-sxiflent 



" with 



