UNDER THE APPLE-TREES 



molecular physics the molecules and atoms and 

 electrons are self -moved, and are in perpetual mo- 

 tion. If the Brunonian movement extended to 

 visible ponderable bodies, the earth would be un- 

 inhabitable; we should behold a sight such as we 

 have never yet beheld. Spontaneous motion never 

 takes place among inanimate bodies, while it is the 

 rule among the atoms of which they are composed. 

 Gravity and friction bind the bodies on the surface 

 of the earth, but these laws are inoperative in the 

 world of atoms and electrons. On the other hand, 

 when we reach the astronomic world, or the sidereal 

 universe, we find the same condition that prevails in 

 the world of the infinitely little: perpetual motion 

 goes on, friction is abolished, and nothing is at rest; 

 there are collisions and disruptions just as there are 

 in the world of atoms. Height and depth, upper and 

 under, east and west, north and south, weight and 

 inertia, as we experience them, have vanished. 

 There are no boundaries, no ending and no begin- 

 ning, no centre and no circumference; the infinite 

 cannot have any of these. Rest and motion are rela- 

 tive terms. The sun is at rest with reference to the 

 earth, but in motion with reference to some larger 

 system, which is again at rest when tried by the sun. 

 Motion implies something which is not in motion. 

 The bodies we know have weight with reference 

 to the earth, as the earth has with reference to 

 some larger body, and this again with reference to 



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