“PHYSICAL ann LITERARY. 69 
no reafon to doubt that mere matter may be 
endued with various powers, as well as ani- 
mals are. When we fay, that feeing, hear- 
ing, tafting, touching, fimelling, proceed 
from fo many different powers or fenfes, no 
perfon confiders this as afcribing effets to 
occult caufes. Have we not the fame reafon 
to conclude, that there is a power in matter 
to continue itfelf in motion, another power 
to refift a change from reft to motion, and a 
third power to unite itfelf with every other 
piece of matter; when we perceive effects 
which as directly refult from thefe powers, as 
feeing does from the fenfe of feeing.' It may 
be true, for ought we know, that’ there is 
fome more general principle in matter, which is 
the foundation of all thefe powers. But ftill itis 
‘gaining ground, and knowledge, to trace ef- 
_ fe&ts to their caufes, and to difcover that many 
| different effets proceed from the fame caufe. 
“To be diffatisfied with fuch difcoveries, mere- 
ly becaufe of the poflibility of other ri fill 
“more general, which lie hid from us, is in 
effe&t to be diffatishied with all knowledge 
whatever; becaufe, however far we pene- 
ate, we never can be certain, that we are 
at. 
_ arrived at our journeys end. 
* al _ Some 
+ 
SIR 
