342 On Chemical Philosophy. 



to introduce are seen in connexion as one whole. I wish them, 

 if possible, to be each descriptive of parts belonging to one whole j 

 and to present the mind, when they are seen together, with a 

 connected and combined view of the different objects of science, 

 or of the operations, changes and phsenomena of nature. An 

 artist wouhl not call separate limbs and features, put together 

 regardless of proportion and harmony, a correct portrait ; and 

 still less do those definitions and views of diiTerent branches of 

 science, which include too little or too much, give, however 

 joined together, any correct representation of nature : — it would, 

 however, be unfair to judge of the one or the other, in an un^ 

 finished form. 



V/hat then, it will be asked, is the nature of this power ? and 

 why in its actions does it produce such diversified effects and 

 phasnomena? Such questions require to be answered; for I have 

 ventured to assert, " that I conceive one subtle and all-pervading 

 power produces all the phaenomena of nature and art ; is the 

 sole agent which creates or destroys, unites or separates, pre- 

 serves or diversifies the forms of matter ; that to its agency we 

 owe not merely the subdivisions and convertibility of matter into 

 solids, liquids and gases ; their appearance in one state, and dis- 

 appearance in another ; their union with this substance, and 

 their separation from that species of matter; — but also all their 

 various degrees of density, of colour, of quality, of form, and of 

 arrangement: that in fact it is the grand agent, the universal 

 solvent, that energy which pervades the universe, and modifies 

 all the powers and properties of matter; vvhich in one quantity 

 determinate in each species of matter, binds and unites it to- 

 gether, and is therefore its principle of aggregation or bond of 

 union ; which, increased in quantity, produces all its movements 

 and changes, and is therefore the principle or power which al- 

 ternately destroys or renews every state of its existence" — the 

 Grand Power, which in different quantities, by its solvent and 

 attractive properties, gives to and preserves matter in its various 

 states and stages and forms of existence; which binds and unites 

 its particles together, and by which also they are separated and 

 carried from one point to another. 



This ))ower, therefore, I have defined as " that which produces 

 all the motion and union of matter." This definition, without 

 presuming to explain in full detail its essence, will serve to ex- 

 hibit some idea, in the mean time, of its powers and its properties 

 and its actions. It points it out as the grand agent, the cause 

 alike of the inconceivably minute and infinitely extended move- 

 ments and changes throughout nature. Some of these are pre- 

 sented to exercise our senses and advance our knowledge ; the 

 vcbt we conjecture by the powers of reasoning, the peculiar cha- 

 racteristic 



