428 On Ckemkal Philosophy. 



and con5C([Ucntly the moving and uniting power must br gieatcr. 

 The similaritv in the physical quaHties, in the gravity and solu- 

 bility of the particles, will keep them in contact in a proper 

 position for the action arising from the chemical qualities. 



It is on these principles that I propose to explain in full detail 

 chemical affinities, &:c. : and if this explanation can he disproved, 

 i request it may be shown me. Thus this power carries in one 

 direction and draws in another ; and this depends on the quali- 

 ties of the particles J so that positive and negative, attraction and 

 repuh'wu,^' are merely relative s/aics of eristcricc,'' relatively to 

 each other in excess or defective, and of course the directiou of 

 the motion as well as chemical combinations depend on these 

 relative states ; and this not merely as it regards particles but 

 stupendous masses of matter, the centripetal and centritugaJ 

 forces depending on the same principles. 



Thus I infer, from the solvent properties, from the tenuity, and 

 from the effects this power produces, that all mo\ement5 and 

 changes are the result of this first sublime command or fiat of 

 the Creator: 



Let onf. power be difkuskd TunouGHouT thk universe, 



AND LET EVERY KIND AND STATE AND FORM OF MATERIAL EX- 

 ISTENCE HAVE ITS OWN APPROPRIATE AND RELATIVE SHARE. 



This is the universal law of nature, which is equally 

 applicable to solar systems as it is to the particles of matter. 

 Whenever this distribution or " appropriate and relative share " 

 is disturbed or accumulated on one ])oint and abstracted from 

 another, this power is at tlie same instant exerted, — this power 

 of nature, this wonderful agent of creation, instantly obeys this 

 GRAND LrtW; the one point as readily parts i^ith its excess as the 

 other receives its deficiency; and this perpetual disturbance pro- 

 duced bv its own operations, and this constant exertion to niain- 

 tain a "proper distribution, keeps uj) all the movements and 

 changes of the universe. 



Is it not obvious this must be the case? that this action and 

 reaction, that this disturbance and effort to restore the equili- 

 brium must take place ? That if it gives to and preserves matter 

 in its various states and stages and forms of existence, then every 

 change in these forms and states and stages of existence must 

 disturb its due and relative diffusion and distribution, — must be 

 imjjarted in one way and received in another, — abstracted from 

 this ] oint and demanded by tliat, by which its circsdation and 

 movements and actions in the universe continue their ceaseless 

 and umneasurable round ? 



I say. Is it not obvious that this must be the case, if in this 

 subtle, .solvent and attractive power, substances are more or less 

 soluble, — have capacity or powci to retain or contain it in greater 



or 



