concerned in the Phtsnomena of ordinary Electricity, &^c. 41 



are words which do not represent any change, and cannot serve 

 in the explanation of phsenomena. 



It is also to be observed that the theory in question assigns 

 no cause for the assumed progi'cssion of forces, or for the current 

 in a metallic conductor. Admitting that the particles of the sub- 

 jective matter are thrown into a state of electric vibration ; ad- 

 mitting also that such a state can be thrown into a progressive 

 current, however difficult that may be to comprehend, one sees 

 no reason why the particles should not quietly vibrate, each in 

 its respective place, no cause being assigned for the abnormal or 

 forced condition of a progression. Besides, the electric vibra- 

 tions are in this theory turned to no account ; they explain 

 nothing ; they are not represented as producing any results ; 

 there is no evidence of their existence ; they are gratuitous as- 

 sumptions, which may be admitted or denied without benefit or 

 detriment to the theory. 



In '.vhat then does this current consist ? what is it that pro- 

 duces such remarkable phfenomena ? wherein is the use of assu- 

 ming its existence ? and what advantage do we derive from the 

 employment of a term to which no definite object or meaning 

 is attached ? A current of electricity in which no electricity is 

 affirmed to flow, which is said to be independent of one or two 

 fluids or of vibrations of matter or ?ether, the nature of which is 

 admitted to be utterly unknown, appears to be a creation of the 

 mind which has no archetype in nature. 



I have thus freely expressed my opinions relative to the cur- 

 rent, fearing that the old legitimate sense has been lost sight of; 

 that many have understood it to mean something more than is 

 warranted by any proved properties; and that the universally 

 admitted identity of the agent in electric and voltaic phsenomena 

 has emboldened philosophers to attribute qualities to the former 

 which belong only to the latter. On the whole, I conceive that 

 the current, in its modei-n acceptation, instead of explaining vol- 

 taic phaenomena, is calculated to mislead, and that it is of no 

 avail in obviating the difficulties which beset the alleged simid- 

 taneous operation of the two states of electricity after commix- 

 ture ; which states, instead of being at that moment in their con- 

 dition of greatest energy, should be destitute of all sensible pro- 

 perties. 



[To be continued.] 



