[M] 



-declares that it is so. In the first place, it must be recollected that 

 JBalfour Stewart, and all other physical and chemical scientists, declare 

 that every thing in nature is composed of molecules and atoms. 

 The molecules are the smallest quantities into which any individual 

 body or substance can be divided without losing its individuality. For 

 instance, table-salt, or chloride of sodium, can be divided and sub- 

 divided, until you get to the limit of subdivision, which is a molecule 

 composed of chlorine and sodium in chemical combination. Further 

 subdivision annihilates its individuality as salt, and leaves us with the two 

 elementary chemical atoms, chlorine and sodium, existing independently 

 of each other. These atoms are incapable of further subdivision. In 

 the same manner, the whole matter of the universe may be subdivided 

 into molecules, which consist of atoms of some two or more of about 

 sixty-seven chemical elements in various combinations. These atoms 

 .are the smallest separate particles of masses of matter, and are separated 

 from each other by what is termed hypothetical ether that is, the fluid 

 ether we believe to be pervading every portion of space. Each atom 

 possesses an inherent sum of force, or energy. The well-established 

 and universally-admitted theory of chemical affinity teaches us that 

 these atoms are capable of attracting and repelling each other, and, 

 therefore, also teaches us, by implication, that they are possessed with 

 definite inclinations, follow these sensations or impulses, and have also 

 the will and ability to move to and from one another. This we are 

 clearly taught by chemistry. Thus every atom in the universe possesses 

 sensation and will, pleasure and displeasure, desire and loathing, attrac- 

 tion and repulsion ; and its mass is, moreover, indestructible and un- 

 changeable, and its energy eternal, as we are again taught by the theory 

 of conservation of energy and matter. These sentient atoms of uni- 

 versal matter, whose aggregate energy is the great animating spirit of 

 the universe, have the power of uniting together in various chemical 

 combinations to form molecules, or chemical unities, developing fresh 

 properties in the process, and forming the lowest conceivable division 

 of compound material substances, some atoms uniting to build up 

 crystals and other inorganic masses, and others to develop the various 

 organic or life forms. The atoms of the ultimate molecules of both 

 organic and inorganic bodies are identically the same. It depends 

 entirely upon what particular combination of atoms takes place whether 

 .an organic or inorganic form is developed. The primordial life-form 

 we have found to be simple homogeneous plasm, consisting of mole- 



