292 COMBINING FORCES. 



many of the apparently indeterminate combinations will,, 

 beyond a doubt, be shown to be as definite as any others, 

 But we cannot reflect upon the fact that these atoms 

 and these molecules are guided in their combinations by 

 impulses, which we can only explain by reference to 

 human passions, as the term elective affinity implies, 

 without feeling that an impenetrable mystery of a grand 

 and startling character in its manifestations surrounds 

 each grain of dust which is hurried along upon the 

 wind. 



We now, habitually, speak of attraction and repulsion 

 of the affinity and non-affinity of bodies. We are 

 disposed, from the discovery of the attractive and re- 

 pelling poles of electrified substances, to regard these 

 powers in all cases as depending upon some electrical 

 state, and we write learnedly upon the laws of these 

 forces. After all, it would be more honest to admit, 

 that we know no more of the secret impulses which 

 regulate the combinations of matter, than did those 

 who satisfied themselves by referring all phenomena of 

 these kinds to sympathies and antipathies : terms which 

 have a poetic meaning, conveying to the mind, with 

 considerable distinctness, the fact, and giving the idea 

 of a feeling a passion involving and directing in- 

 animate matter, similar to that which stirs the human 

 heart, and certainly calculated to convey the impression 

 that there is working within -all things a living principle, 

 and pointing, indeed, to " the soul of the world." The 

 animated marble of ancient story is far less wonderful 

 than the fact, proved by investigation, that every atom 

 of matter is penetrated by a principle which directs its 

 movements and orders its positions, and involved by an 

 influence which extends, without limits, to all other 

 atoms, and which determines their union, or otherwise. 



We have gravitation, drawing all matter to a common 

 centre, and acting from all bodies throughout the wide 



