Essays oh Chemical Pfnlosophi/. S3 



the true philosopher, the servant of nature, traces the operation 

 and endeavours to ascertain the laws of that power by which all 

 these are produced. 



In this sense then I contend, that the power which in che- 

 mistry binds and unites matter together, is the same power that 

 carries matter from one point to auotlier ; and 1 therefore de- 

 line it to be " that power which produces all the motion and 

 itnion of matter." According to this view of its operations, it is 

 not necessary to call to the aid of science a repulsive or pro- 

 jectile power, in order to explain either the minute or extended 

 movements and changes, or " motion and union," of matter, 

 which are for ever going on in every part of the creation, — 

 Nature is but another word for this power. The operations 

 are the objects of all natural science ; and circumstances alone 

 constitute the difference of each of our artificial divisions of hu- 

 man knowledge. It has been said " that electricity, caloric and 

 light are powers by which repulsion is produced ; and the proofs 

 adduced in support of this opinion are, that, by the application of 

 these in an increased degree, " repulsion is established between 

 the particles of matter, and the force of attraction is overcome:" 

 and hence, it is said, "solids become fiiiids, and fluids gases." 

 But these effects, as well as every other attributed to a repulsive 

 power, may, it is believed, be b''tter explained without the in- 

 trotluction of more than one universal power of Nature. 



Repulsion is a term which can never be used with propriety 

 as expressive of a distinct cause of effects, contrary and in 

 opposition to those of attraction, if by that word we mean 

 the power of Nature. It ma> indeed be used as a descriptive 

 term, and to this it ought to be restricted. V/e may speak of 

 certain powers having a repulsive effect on matter, hut never 

 {with propriety) of repulsion itself as the power or primary 

 cause of any effect whatever. 



It is said, " the magnetic and electric attractions so far agree 

 with the attraction of gravitv as to operate at sensible distances^ 

 and even, as has been attempted to be proved, according to the 

 same law ;" and yet these powers with caloric and light are 

 classed together in the same system of chemistry*, '* as the 

 powers by which repulsion is produced." In fact, this definition 

 of repulsion is not the definition of it as a cause, but of certain 

 effects of other powers, to which the name '■^repulsion' is ap- 

 plied as descriptive of their kind or mode nf operation. And in 

 this sense alone its application is proper. The definition says in 

 direct words, " Electricity, caloric, nnd I'ght, are {themselves) 

 the powers by which repulsion {itself) is produced f' and yet to 



Dr. Muir.'i^'s System, 1st, jd, 3rd ond 4t!i «;dltion?. 



F 2 the 



