CONDITIONS OF ELECTRICAL MANIFESTATIONS. 213 



the current from the animal, circulating around soft 

 iron, like galvanic electricity, has the property of render- 

 ing it magnetic. 



It is important that we should now review these 

 conditions of electrical force in connexion with the great 

 physical phenomena of nature. 



It is sufficiently evident, from the results which have 

 been examined, that all matter, whatever may be its 

 form or condition, is for ever under the operation of the 

 physical forces, in a state of disturbance. From the 

 centre to the surface all is in an active condition : a 

 state of mutation prevails with every created thing ; and 

 science clearly shows that influences are constantly in 

 action which prevent the possibility of absolute repose. 



Under the excitement of the several agencies of the 

 solar beams, motion is given to all bodies by the circu- 

 lation of heat, and a full flow of electricity is sent 

 around the earth to perform its wondrous works. The solar 

 influences, which regulate, and possibly determine, every 

 physical force with which we are acquainted, are active 

 in effecting an actual change of state in matter. The 

 sunbeam of the morning falls on the solid earth, and its 

 influence is felt to the very centre. The mountain-top 

 catches the first ray of light, and its base, still wrapt in 

 mists and darkness, is disturbed by the irradiating 

 power. The crystalline gems, hidden in the darkness of 

 the solid rock, are dependent, for that form which 

 makes them valued by the proud and gay, on the 

 influence of those radiations which they are one day to 

 refract in beauty. The metals locked in the chasms of 

 the rifted rocks are, for all their physical peculiarities, 

 as dependent on solar influence as is the flower which 

 lifts its head to the morning sun, or the bird which sings 

 " at heaven's high gate." 



Let us, then, examine how far electricity, as dis- 

 tinguished from the other powers, acts in producing any 

 of these effects. 



