Energy. 67 



In order, however, to prove the fundamental nature 

 of magnetism we start with the postulation of a fact 

 affirmed by every physicist to-day and established in 

 science beyond a doubt, viz., all iron is magnetic. As 

 a consequence the constituents of iron bodies, the 

 atoms of iron, inherently possess both attractive and 

 repulsive energy. The proof has often been given as 

 follows : — Every piece of iron is a natural magnet. 

 Every iron magnet contains two poles, called positive 

 and negative. If the magnet be broken in two, each 

 piece becomes a smaller magnet endowed with two 

 poles. This process is continued indefinitely, but the 

 result is ever the same; each remnant is a complete 

 magnet with two poles. The intellect then prolongs 

 the operation mentally, when the body fails to per- 

 form it physically, until indisputable reasoning ulti- 

 mately resolves all the fundamental atoms of the iron 

 magnet into magnets with two poles. 



The question then naturally suggests itself — Is iron 

 the onlv element endowed with magnetic or attractive 

 and repulsive forces ? Are its atoms the sole mono- 

 polists of poles and polarity ? Or, does iron not only 

 exhibit more intensely what all atoms reveal more or 

 less imperceptibly? Is iron not merely the spokes- 

 man or index of the energial constitution of all the 

 elements, even betraying in a conspicuous manner the 

 nature and source of universal energy. 



Further investigation seems to endorse these in- 

 ferences. Nature, from what we know of her, is not 

 a likely subject to have fifth wheels to her coaches. 



