56 



by the union of ftn immaterial substance and a corporeal, 

 are the three general classes of beings which \ve have any 

 conception of in the universe. 



In the universe all is combination, affinity, connexion. 

 There is nothing but what is the immediate effect of 

 somewhat preceding it, and determines the existence of 

 something that should follow it. 



The divine mind has so closely connected every part of 

 his work, that there is not one which has not a relation 

 to the whole system. A mushroom, a mite are as essen- 

 tial parts oi it as the cedar or elephant. 



So that those minute productions of nature, which un- 

 thinking men judge to be useless, are not mere particles 

 of dust on the wheels of the machine of the world ; they 

 are small wheels intermixed with the greater. 



There is nothing then by itself: every being has an 

 activity peculiar to it, determined by the rank appointed 

 for it in the universe. A mite is a very small imoveable 

 creature, which acts in conceit with others, whose activity 

 extends to much greater distances. The spheres thua 

 enlarging themselves more and more, this amazing pro- 

 gression rises by degrees from the vortex cf amber to 

 the solar vortex ; from the sphere of a mite to that of an 

 angel. 



9. The elements act reciprocally on each other, ac- 

 cording to certain laws which result from their relations : 

 and these relations unite them to minerals, plants, ani- 

 mals, and to men. This last, as the principal trunk, 

 spreads its branches all over the globe. 



These species and individuals have relation to the 

 bigness and solidity of the earth : the solidity and size of 

 the earth have relation to the place she occupies in the 

 planetary system. 



The sun, gravitates on the planets, the planets on 

 the sun, and on each other; all gravitate on their 

 neighbouring systems: these on more distant cues; 



