APPENDIX A LIX 



rational theory of the inner reality of the world in which it finds itself. 

 Such theories have been left to the philosophers until, in 1808, Dalton 

 adopted the atomic theory, and it was frankly accepted by the leaders 

 of science. " The atomic theory," said Clifford, " is no longer in the 

 position of a theory, but these facts are definitely known and a* no 

 longer suppositions." These tiny atoms are, according to another leader 

 of scientific thought, "• the foundation stones of the material universe, 

 which have existed since the creation unbroken and unworn." Existing, 

 according to some, from eternity unchanged and unchangeable. They 

 were, in old Eoman days, the theme of the great poem of Lucretius ; as 

 in our day Emerson sang: 



The Journeying atoms. 



Primordial wholes 

 Firmly draw, firmly drive 



By their animate poles. 



Never has a revolution in thought occurred with a rapidity so start- 

 ling. The electrical theory of matter which now holds the field im- 

 presses the imagination of every thoughtful man and leads to far- 

 reaching conclusions. The atom is no longer a minute mass of im- 

 penetrable ponderable matter. It is a system within which a thousand 

 points or monads of electricity whirl and vibrate with inconceivable 

 energy. These points, or monads, or electrons, as they are called, 

 are not in any sense material, while the atom is simply the field within 

 which they exercise their amazing force. We begin dimly to discern 

 the primary evolution from force of what is known as matter and its 

 continuous development into the various elements, while the latest 

 researches of Eamsay and Eutherford are justifying the dreams of the 

 alchemists of past ages. 



I am making no attempt to discuss these questions — to do so is 

 beyond my competence. They are present in the minds of all thought- 

 fid men — they are being worked out in this Society, and their bearing 

 upon the main theme of this paper is that this new theory is destroying 

 materialism by eliminating the material. It presents to us a universe 

 built up, not of matter, but of force. It opens up the vision of a 

 grand unity as the foundation of reality. Matter is foreign to us, 

 but force we know; for surely the human will is a force, and passion 

 and intellect are forces, living and energizing in the world. Physics 

 are being reconciled to metaphysics^ and the material dissolves into the 

 immaterial. Literature and Science are travelling hand in hand into 



