INTRODUCTION, 



To PROPOUND a now system of Natural Philosophy in this 

 ago of enlightenment and great men which shall overthrow 

 the cherished theories of centuries, as well as those of later 

 date, is a difficult, and, we suspect, a thankless task ; but it is 

 one which, in the interest of truth, the progress of knowledge, 

 and the eradication of sensationalism in Science, we feel com- 

 pelled to undertake. 



If it is acknowledged that no one knows the composition of 

 matter ; that the force of matter is unknown ; that chemical 

 action is a mystery ; that life and mind are inexplicable ; that 

 electricity and magnetism are forces but partially understood, 

 and that over all natural phenomena there hangs a veil of 

 mystery : then, if our most voluminous writers on science mean 

 what they 1Cy in their reverence for the truth and their 

 endeavours after its acceptance, we, who offer an explanation 

 of all these mysteries, should receive encouragement and as- 

 istance on every hand. 



It must be inorever the desire of every intelligent man, out- 

 side of scientific circles, that some more definite system of science 

 should be adopted than that in which belief is generally placed. 

 People are beginning to tire of the extraordinary theories re- 

 garding the sun, moon, and stars, which are successively being 

 advanced, and which intelligent men are compelled to read if 

 not to accept if they would keep pace with what is called 



