212 Progressive Changes of Matter. [Oct., 



THE PROGRESSIVE CHANGES OF MATTER. 



BY A. OSBOKN. 



Mankind are fond of the marvellous. Wonders and curiosities 

 always have a tendency to excite the mind. In this age of the 

 woild, when knowledge among men is increasing, and when in- 

 vention seems to have enlarged the human mind to its utmost 

 capacity, we .still see men straining their intellects after higher 

 attainments, and seeking for new discoveries in this world of 

 wonders. In these pursuits the mind is credulous, active, and 

 unwearied. These inventions and improvements are but the 

 changes of matter, or a change in the application or connection 

 of things. The great change produced in the business and com- 

 merce among mankind by the motive and mechanical po^ver of 

 steam is caused by the connection of fire and water confined 

 within certain limits, and the power produced thereby applied to 

 machinery. Now as these new formations or combination of 

 things are brought out and produced to the public observation, if 

 of much importance they are regarded as wonders; but by a long 

 acquaintance with them they are. treated only as matters of fact. 

 So it is in relation to the changes that have been, and still 

 are going on among the elements of our globe. New changes, 

 if of any magnitude, create wonder and astonishment to the 

 generation of men who witness them, but subsequent races of 

 human beings regard them as the mere existence of things; the 

 previous existence and change lose their charm of the w^onder- 

 ful. Thus when volcanic eruptions occur, the whole surround- 

 ing country is thrown into astonishment and alarm; but the suc- 

 ceeding generations climb up the encrusted mountain without 

 reflecting upon the former condition and change of things, or re- 

 alizing the consternation of their ancestors. Our knowledge of 

 past changes is extremely limited; the present condition of things, 

 for the most ti?ne, engrossing our thoughts. These changes, 

 however, are not thereby divested of their interest, nor does a 

 knowledge of them fail to be useful to mankind. 



