LAUGEL'S PROBLEMS OP NATURE AND LIFE. 327 



and the action instantly follows, as mechanical in its 

 effects as the fall of a heavy body or the stroke of 

 the steam-hammer. Whatever definition of force be 

 adopted, this comes integrally under it, though the 

 question as to its nature and origin be still wholly 

 unresolved. 1 



If we have pursued this subject of Force to the 

 weariness of our readers, we must seek excuse from the 

 large part these questions are made to play in the 

 science as well as speculation of our time, and from 

 the frequent confusion introduced by the vague or in- 

 congruous use of the word itself. We clo not profess- to 

 have done more than simply indicate what is yet 

 wanting to our consistent comprehension of the idea. 

 Human reason is perhaps incompetent to grasp in its 

 entirety this great problem of force ; but a patient re- 

 search into, and strict analysis of, phenomena may give 

 us nearer approach to that unity of power which we 

 have cause to consider the ultimate truth. There is 

 little chance of entering per saltum into these secret 

 places of nature. And the fine saying of Pascal may 

 profitably be remembered : ' L'univers nous ecrase. 

 C'est le privilege de 1'homme de savoir qu'il est 

 ecrase.' 



From the forces moving matter to the matter moved 

 a step downwards, it might seem, but which is in 

 effect a descent from the clouds to the terra fir ma of 



1 An admirable paper by Sir J. Herschel, on the ' Origin of Force,' 

 may most profitably be studied in reference to this point, as to all others 

 connected with the general problem. 



