On Chemical Philosophy . 351 



fcrence of eacli ; that all natural knowledge can only be the 

 science of the vis nalurce', that whether we examine the bowels 

 of our earth or the constitution and properties of our atmosphere, 

 or ascend to the more elevated and sublime view of nature in 

 the celestial circle of events, it is still a continuation of our in- 

 vestigations of the laws and principles and modifying circunj- 

 stances of the same unlimited power of nature. 



If it should appear that 1 repeat these ideas and vary the ex- 

 pression by which 1 convey them too diffusely, it arises from my 

 anxiety to be fully understood ; and I do this particularly from a 

 conviction of its necessity — a conviction which has been produced 

 hy the difficulty I have experienced, in conversing on the subject 

 for years past, in making these views fully comprehended, which 

 I have been in the habit of doing almost incessantly, and with 

 those most conversant with such things, some of whom seem to 

 have imperfectly adopted them in their after writings. It is very 

 different to have in our own minds the clearest perception of a 

 subject, and the fullest conviction of its truth (which can only 

 arise from having long confined our thoughts to such subject), 

 and to be able to produce the same effect on another. Nor 

 need we wonder at this, when we reflect on the amazing length 

 of time and degree of labour it requires, even stimulated by an 

 enthusiasm which cannot be transferred, to produce this effect 

 on ourselves. I shall therefore be yet more particular. 



By" the comhined portion," I mean that fixed internal and 

 inherent quantity, of which I conceive every distinct species of 

 matter has, in the same circumstances, its allotted portion, as 

 that principle which gives, retains, and continues its form, pro- 

 perties, and state of existence. 



By " the uncombined portion," I mean that moving, external 

 or extraneous or projectile or radiating quantity, which, in propor- 

 tion to its abstraction or its excess, produces either the solution, 

 deposition, or separation, motion, or change of place, of parti- 

 cles, or of substances. 



Together and as one power they fix the place, regulate the 

 form, and determinate the movements of matter, whether it re- 

 spects the particles, or the aggregate masses of matter. 



This science of attraction, then, not only investigates the force 

 of that inherent or combined portion of this power, which is al- 

 lotted to particles or to masses of matter, but it ascertains also 

 the influence which its excess, or the radiating or uncombined 

 quantity, has also upon them; or not only of that quantity which 

 produces the union, but of that also which produces the motion 

 of matter. 



This science then has to ascertain the grand law by which 



this 



