550 On Chemical Philoiophy^ 



of any such divisions. It will be found, too, convenient not only 

 in rendering this theory of chemical philosophy, of electricity, 

 galvanism, caloric, light, and chemical affinity, or chemical 

 changes, more complete and more fully and easily comprehended; 

 but also it \\\\\ enable us with more facility to follow the appli- 

 cation of these principles to astronomy, or mark those means by 

 which one celestial mass influences another. It is from consi- 

 derations such as these, that I have been induced to divide this 

 power into two portions; by vviiich it is not to be understood I 

 mean any difference in the power, but in the quantity of that 

 power and the circumstances attending the operation. 



The one then, I call the comliiied portio?i, or that which is 

 internal and inherent in passive substances ; and the other I call 

 the uncovihined portion, or that which is in excess, and conse- 

 ijuently is external and extraneous of passive substances. 



The utility of this distinction, and its useful application to the 

 phaenomena of nature, will, I repeat, be perceived and acknow- 

 ledged, as we proceed in our course to point out the beads and 

 principles of chemical affinity; and I conceive I am warranted 

 in adding, demonstrated in our application of them to electricity, 

 galvanism, caloric and light, and still more so in proceeding to 

 particular facts. 



The existence of separate and distinct powers in nature is so 

 far from appearing to me a maintainable position, that 1 cannot 

 even form the most imperfect and vague idea of any such thing: 

 but that one power should be modified in its effects and phaeno- 

 mena by circumstances and substances, is not only, a priori, a 

 rational idea ; but on a very slight investigation of nature it will 

 be evident that such modifications must take place. We see it 

 proved by every fact of nature and art, that there is some active 

 grand and irresistible power and universal solvent; and if so, 

 then, as it holds substances more or less in solution, it must in pro- 

 portion to this be more or less attenuated or condensed, and con- 

 Kcquentlv more or less rapid in its movements, and more or less 

 energetic in its actions. All these and a variety of other things, 

 infinitely varied in their nature and their proportions and com- 

 binations, must diversify the actions of this great agent, and pro- 

 duce phaenomena and effects so infinitely varied and apparently 

 widely different from each other, that, overlooking this view, we 

 Tnay cease to wonder that so many powers and agencies in crea- 

 tion have been introduced and enrolled on tlie list by niodera 

 philosophers; and which in my opinion threaten, by rendering 

 science so complicated and confused, to extinguish that generai 

 love for it which must end in its monopoly by the lew, and 

 thus cease to produce its benign and liberal effects on the 

 world. I contend that circumstances constitute the solo dif- 

 ference 



