t74 Mr. J. J. Waterstone's Exposition of 



Two opinions are at present entertained of the origin and 

 nature of gravitation. In the first, no intermedia are deemed 

 necessary to convey its influence ; whilst in the second, di- 

 rect impulsion is considered essential, and a subtle fluid or 

 aether is supposed to transmit the power from one region of 

 space to another. This last doctrine has been reckoned by 

 some unphilosophical, by introducing a clumsy mode of ex- 

 plaining that, which certain refined metaphysical speculations 

 on causality do not require to be explained. But although 

 the cause which is sought may not on these metaphysical prin- 

 ciples be necessary, yet it will ahvays remain inconceivable 

 how two bodies in an absolute vacuum will move towards 

 each other in accordance with the laws of gravitation ; and it 

 is certainly preferable to adopt the contrary opinion, more 

 especially if we discover a certain arrangement of the fluid 

 which will explain the development of an attractive and re- 

 pulsive energy on the most simple and evident mechanical 

 principles. 



In the following three articles it has been attempted to show, 

 how an attractive force may exist between two particles pro- 

 portional to the quantity of matter in each, and which is in 

 every other respect subject to laws similar to those of gravi- 

 tation. As it is intended at present to introduce and explain 

 the general principle alone, without entering into mathemati- 

 cal details, the systematic arrangement which would otherwise 

 become necessary, will not be so particularly attended to as 

 briefness in demonstrating what will be sufficient to convey a 

 distinct notion of the system ; reserving for a future oppor- 

 tunity its mathematical elucidation and further extension in 

 explaining a diversified series of chemical and electrical phae- 

 nomena. The following particulars define what is intended 

 to be understood as properties of matter coexistent with per- 

 fect solidity, and are the foundation of all the reasoning after- 

 wards made use of. 



Postulates. — Let it be granted that, 



1st, Perfect solidity is accompanied with an inseparable 

 union of parts. 



Many may deny this as an unwarrantable assumption ; but 

 although hypothetical, it is but a corollary to the doctrine 

 which is at present supported by the most enlightened and dis- 

 tinguished philosophers, who have inferred from the combining 

 ratios of the simple chemical elements, that matter is divisible 

 to a certain extent only, after which no force is capable of 

 effecting any change in the relative situation of its parts ; and 

 that when a plenum exists within the surface of the ultimate 

 particle, no disunion of parts can be effected*. 



* See Phil. Mag. vol. Ixii. p. 360; Ixiii. p. 3/3.— Edit. 



2nd, Ter- 



