﻿Mr. Whelpley on the Idea of an Atom. 355 



but they are only relative ideas, and signify that two forces of 

 the same kind cannot occupy the same space, for, in nature, force, 

 or substance, cannot be imagined without space, motion, and 

 number, these being the conditions of its existence. 



Axiom. All the conditions of existence are relative. 



Hence, the idea of the universe is that of a complex of rela- 

 tions, and science a system of such relations in the order of ex- 

 perience. 



The same axiom shows the impossibility of the existence of 

 but one repellent atom ; for, repulsion is a relation between two 

 substances which seek to occupy the whole of space, because 

 they are of the same kind, (i. e. have the same relation to space.) 



In order, therefore, to conceive the existence of an atom that 

 shall be the only one in the universe, we must imagine that it 

 has two relations to space ; in other words, that it is composed 

 of two distinct substances. Every one believes, without argu- 

 ment, that there is a substance out of which all things are made, 

 or, from which they originate, as ice originates from water; but 

 if this "first matter" is all of a kind, and incapable of change, 

 the idea of it is of no moment or significance. It must, then, be 

 capable of change, in regard to space and number, — it must be 

 able to resolve itself into two kinds, that it may begin to have a 

 form and a diversity. Let (C) be a point in space, and the centre 

 of an infinite sphere of influence, which diminishes in intensity 

 from the centre outward, in the manner of gravitation. This 

 influence is not visible, for it does not reflect light, nor is it per- 

 ceptible by any sense ; (for sense, unlike imagination, cannot re- 

 gard existences or beings as wholes, but only in certain of their 

 effects.) That such an idea can be formed, no one will deny; 

 but it is, as yet, of no use and has no materialness, however 

 much of spirituality. But now, let C resolve itself into two pow- 

 ers, or potentialities, infinitely intense at the common centre, and 

 extended, in the manner of gravitation, through a common space. 

 Since these powers occupy the same space from a common cen- 

 tre, they must be differently related to space, (i. e. they differ in 

 kind ;) but since, if they were of the same kind, they would mu- 

 tually repel, so if they differ in kind, they will mutually attract, 

 and satisfy, each other, seeking to fill the same space, from a 

 common centre. An universe occupied by such atoms, would 

 be an universe of death and silence ; for, the two powers in each 



