AMERICAN EDITION. xix 



4t All thefe atoms poffefs the fame general properties, and do not 

 . differ from each other in any efTential refpect Though, from their 

 .< different operations upon the fenfes, is inferred a difference among 

 " them as to fize, fhape, and heavinefs. Their figures, in particular, 

 i( are varied in an endlefs manner, fo as to take on every mechanical 

 " form : but in all thefe cafes they are flill infrangible and incapable 

 " of farther divifion. 



" Each atom contains, within itfelf, an active energy, or internal 

 " force, by which it is either conftantly in motion, or making an effort 

 "to move ; and this is denominated gravty '\ hefe atoms, impelled 

 " by gravity through void Jpace in curvilinear courfes, ftrike againft 

 <c each other, exercife repelling powers, and produce vibration or agi- 

 " tation ; and as this gravitating power is eTential to matter, it can 

 * c never be inactive, but mud be always at work, and has been fo from 

 u eternity. 



" v.vory compound body, being made up of individual atoms there- 

 <c fore poifeiTes the united energy of them all, which energy is thzfole 

 " agent in nature ; but by reafon of their different figures, their 

 <f varied magnitudes, and particular fituations, it is yarioufly modifi- 

 <l ed ; as when the atoms are hooked or rough, motion will be retarded 

 (; among them, and be facilitated when they are round and fmonth, as 

 " in the principles of fire and animation. Bodies thus being eompof- 

 " ed of atoms, derive their aaions from the energy inherent in and 

 t proceeding from thefe atoms 



II alterations happening in bodies, whether in thtir fliape, hard- 

 66 nefs, fweetnefs, &c. are afcnbable to the change taking place in the 

 " arrangement. difpofition c. of the conftituent particles ; and thus 

 '* porofky, tranfparency, elafticity, malleability? &c are to be account- 

 " ed for in the fame way Gravity being an effential property of mat- 

 " ter, all corpufcules, and all bodies formed of them, mufr be heavy. 



" Thus, from thefe properties of bodies, their feveral cnmbinations 

 <f and mechanical operations, arife other more complex phenomena, 

 *.* referable however to the principle of motion, fuch as the heating of 

 " bodies from the influx of foft, round and fmooth particles ; the cool- 

 ** ing of them from the ingrefs of atoms of oppolitc and irregular 

 " iigures ; even fenfations, both of the pleafurable and painful kinds, 

 " motion, reft, and time itfelf, are contingences to bodies. In fliort, 

 " the whole phenomena of the production, growth, nutrition, decline, 

 " and difTolution of bodies, is to be afcribed to an alteration of ar- 

 4< rangement in the particles, and to their addition or fubtraction. 



" Minerals, plants, and animals were thus produced in the beginning, 

 " according to thefe mechanical laws of matter and motion, and fo was 

 " the world they compofe and inhabit. They continue to propagate 

 " their kinds in regular ways,becaufe nature has become accuftomed, by 

 " habit, to produce them in an order fo uniform as to look like rlc/ign. 

 * The eye, however, was not made for feeing, nor the ear for hearing ; 

 " but having been accidentally formed in fuch a way as to anfwer 

 ' thefe purpofes, the fentient principle within, which is co-exiilenc 



" with 



