Mr. H. Sloggett on the Constitution of Matter. 445 



explain the effects which appertain to the action of bodies in 

 general on each other, as well as those which are produced by 

 the agency of electricity. 



We assume, then, that the atoms of matter are mutually 

 repulsive of each other, but attractive of those of electricity; 

 and that the atoms of electricity are in like manner self-re- 

 pulsive and attractive of those of matter. This hypothesis is 

 not new, it was invented long ago to satisfy the Franklinian 

 theory of electricity; but its application has not, to my know- 

 ledge, been successfully made. My object here is briefly to 

 show its consistency when rightly applied. 



Suppose the centres of matter far more powerful and less 

 numerous than those of electricity. Each atom of the com- 

 pound will thus consist of an atom (in the sense before stated) 

 of matter surrounded with an atmosphere (so to speak) of 

 electricity, of variable density, in a somewhat similar manner 

 to the air surrounding the earth. This must have a definite 

 limit at some distance from the centre, where the repulsive 

 power of the whole quantity of electricity surrounding the 

 matter on an atom of electricity equals the attractive power 

 of the matter for the same atom ; so that beyond this limit 

 none can exist in connexion with the atom. Accordingly 

 every particle of matter will appropriate to itself a definite 

 quantity of electricity dependent on its inherent power; and 

 when any excess above this quantity occurs in a body, it 

 becomes positively electrified, and negatively electrified when 

 there is a deficiency. This admitted, we may enunciate thus : 

 In all bodies, in their natural state, there are two principles 

 reciprocally combined, mutually attractive but each repulsive 

 of itself. If there be an excess of either principle, in one 

 instance the body in which it may occur becomes positively, 

 and in the other negatively electrified. 



This will be observed, in effect, to be expressing the two-fluid 

 theory. A simple illustration will exemplify the similarity. 



Suppose a conducting sphere charged positively. All its 

 atoms being duly combined with as much as they can retain, 

 it is evident that the superfluous electricity thus thrown on 

 them must, by its elastic property, fly off from them, subject 

 only to an inferior attractive and repulsive force, it being as 

 it were without the effective range of the central forces. Un- 

 less retained on the body by a non-conducting medium, it 

 would necessarily fly off entirely. This both the old theories 

 teach us. But how will the case stand when the excitement 

 is negative? This is a question which the partisans of the vi- 

 treous and resinous hypotheses were accustomed triumphantly 

 to ask. Indeed I have never seen it answered ; arising from 



