258 NATURAL THEOLuaY. 



the united attraction is in no other case the same as the law 

 of attraction of each particle, one case excepted, and that 

 is of the attraction varying directly as the distance ; the 

 inconveniency of which law, in other respects, w^e have 

 already noticed. 



We may follow this regulation somewhat further, and 

 still more strikingly perceive that it proceeded from a de- 

 signing mind. A law both admissible and convenient was 

 requisite. In what way is the law of the attracting globes 

 obtained ? Astronomical observations and terrestrial exper- 

 iments shoM'' that the attraction of the globes of the system 

 is made up of the attraction of their parts ; the attraction 

 of each globe being compounded of the attractions of its 

 parts. Now the admissible and convenient law which 

 exists could not be obtained in a system of bodies gravitat- 

 ing by the united gravitation of their parts, unless each 

 particle of matter were attracted by a force varying by one 

 particular law, namely, varying inversely as the square of 

 the distance ; for, if the action of the particles be according 

 to any other law whatever, the admissible and convenient 

 law which is adopted could not be obtained. Here, then, 

 are clearly shown regulation and design. A law both ad- 

 missible and convenient was to be obtained ; the mode 

 chosen for obtaining that law was by making each particle 

 of matter act. After this choice was made, then further 

 attention was to be given to each particle of matter, and 

 one, and one only particular law of action to be assigned to 

 it. No other law w^ould have answered the purpose in- 

 tended. 



{*) 2. All systems must be liable to jpertui'bations. 

 And therefore, to guard against these perturbations, or 

 rather to guard against their running to destructive lengths, 

 is perhaps the strongest evidence of care and foresight that 

 can be given. Now we are able to demonstrate of our law 

 of attraction — what can be demonstrated of no other, and 

 what qualifies the dangers which arise from, cross but una- 



