On Chemical Philosophy. 343 



racteristic of humanity, and no where so well exemplified as 

 here, as in these boundless and seductive investigations of the 

 wonders of space. The more extended effects, I am afraid, will 

 require a more enlarged treatment than can he given in this 

 form. The full explanation of these views cannot therefore at pre-? 

 sent be expected, nor even any thing like a complete answer to 

 these questions : — What is the nature of this power ? How can 

 the same power produce such diversified effects? and, Why should 

 its actions be attended with such diversified appearances ? Yet 

 they are questions of such high importance, that we may be ex- 

 cused if we should consider them at greater length than a mere 

 abridged view would seem to warrant; — for what in science can 

 be of more importance than clear views on the nature of this 

 power ? If we are imperfect in our conceptions here, all that 

 follows will onlv tend to involve us in controversy and confusion : 

 and it is evident that this must be the case, if it be true, that 

 there are no separate and distinct causes for each of our artificial 

 and arbitrary divisions of science. And is it not certain, that if 

 tliis power has the properties and qualities which we have as- 

 signed it, then every effect and phienomenon can only L<e modifi- 

 cations which different circumstances and kinds of matter pro- 

 duce on its actions ? That, in fact, if we have distinct views of 

 its varied attractive relation to substances and of its solvent 

 powers, by which in different quantities it changes or preserves 

 their states of existence, then shall we not only know the effects 

 which it produces, but perceive Its principles or mode of opera- 

 tion, by which these effects are produced ; and also, wliv certain 

 phasnomena attend their production ? It is because I firmly be- 

 lieve this to be the case, that I have defined it, " the power which 

 produces all the motion and union of matter ;" a definition 

 which is brief and comprehensive, which includes every other; 

 and I conceive it ought not to do less, for it is the definition of the 

 cause which includes every other cause, — if those phasnomenaand 

 effects can with propriety be called causes, which, though they 

 produce other pheenomena and effects, merely result from or at- 

 tend the various degrees of energy, or extent, or nature of those 

 actions arising from differences in the quantity, intensity, and 

 direction of the grand power, and the substances on which and 

 circumstances in which it operates. 



If then it be the grand power which in different quantities, by 

 its solvent and attractive properties, gives to and preserves mat- 

 ter in its various states, stages, and forms of existence ; and if 

 during these changes it produces appearances as diversified ; as 

 these changes themselves differ in their nature, we shall not 

 only perceive why one portion produces and preserves matter in 

 one form, and an increased quantity changes this form ; or why 

 every substance varies in the relative quantity it requires to pre- 



Y 4 serve 



