and u)i its alleged Iiifinile Divisibilifi/. 361 



admits of no further division, must be the smallest particle of 

 matter ; and to say that there is no such thing as this smallest 

 particle, is the same as to affirm that there are no material 

 forms at all ; — because it is to affirm that a whole can exist 

 without the parts necessary to compose it. 



From this it follows, that there is but one elementary prin- 

 ciple in matter, of which principle the primtiry particle above 

 mentioned consists ; — and that all material subjects are forms 

 compounded by motion arranging and co-arranging this ele- 

 mentary principle in innumerable relations and modes ; for if 

 there be primary material particles, these must be innume- 

 rable, in order to their entering into and producing the innu- 

 merable forms and combinations of forms observable in the 

 material universe. It is, moreover, in accordance with reason 

 and observation, thus to consider the original substantiality 

 oi matter, whence arises our idea of a simple or primary par- 

 ticle of material substance, called an atom ; — a congregation 

 of which atoms, by modes of motion, furnishes the idea of na- 

 tural compounds, or material subjects as they exist in nature, 

 in all their varieties : for as it is evident that modes of motion 

 produce changes in material subjects, by transforming them 

 into other material subjects of a totally different form and 

 quality, so analogy points to the conclusion, — that all differences 

 in material subjects, as they exist in nature, are effects of mo- 

 tion disposing primary particles into forms, and then operating 

 successive and various combinations of those forms ; and thus, 

 that what is called Chemical Action, is, when considered in 

 its origin, nothing more than an effect of motion in the more 

 refined and subtle orders of substances; — decomposition 

 being effected by opposing forces, composition by attractive 

 forces ; and thus also, Chemical Action, like that which is 

 called Mechanical, is resolvable into an effect of motion. 



If the above observations be founded in truth, the law of 

 infinite series in numbers is totally inapplicable to the divi- 

 sion of matter; and such erroneous application of that law must 

 arise from confounding the distinct properties of numbers and 

 of matter: this will appear evident, when we consider, that 

 by the doctrine of numbers we can conceive that which is 

 absolutely and originally one, and indivisible in itself, to be 

 itself divided even infinitely; — which is absurd. Thus by means 

 of numbers we can conceive the First Cause to be divided 

 into two or three, or an infinite number of First Causes, 

 thereby destroying its existence ! This error arises, therefore, 

 from conceiving that the properties of numbers are applicable 

 to simples or elements, in tlie same manner as they are ap- 

 plicable to con)pounds ; but as substance is prior to any 



Vol. 02. No. 307. Nov. Ib23. Zz thing: 



