03 Mechanical Philosophy. [Chap. I. 



vis inertiie which is admitted by ahuost all modern 

 philosophers. These atoms, endued with these 

 forces and properties, form the basis of this cele- 

 brated system; a system unquestionably among 

 the most remarkable that have been proposed to 

 the world in modern times, and which leads to 

 consequences in a very high degree interesting*. 

 This system has been, in substance, adopted by 

 many of the learned in various parts of Europe ; 

 and is supposed, by those who embrace it, to af- 

 ford a veiy satisfactory solution of many difficulties 

 to which former theories evidently gave rise; to 

 explain most happily the various phenomena of 

 matter to which its principles extend ; and to re- 

 ceive confirmation by the experiments and disco- 

 veiies of every day. If we may rely on the doc- 

 trines of the ingenious ItaHan, the stumbling-blocks 

 of the infinite divisibility and impenetrahililij of 

 matter will be taken oat of the way ; many of the 

 most fruitful sources of perplexity and dispute re- 

 specting extension, elasticity, &c. will be cut off; 

 a large portion of the difficulties attending the 

 ajjiniiies, attractions, and combinations in chemical 

 philosophy, hereafter to be noticed, will diminish, 

 if not disai)pear ; and the path to a just understand- 

 ing of all the physical sciences will be simplified 

 and smoothed in a very pleasing degree |. 



* See Jdditional Notes — (Cj. 



f The author has never yet been able to procure a copy of the 

 'Yhcoria Philosopftut Naturalis oi' Boscovich, published hi J 758; 

 but a \ ery satisfactory abstract of tlie work is given in the Supplt^ 

 mmt to the Encijclopivdla, JatcJy pubHshed by Dr. Gl^g. The 

 system is, in some of its parts, so intricate, and throughout so in- 

 volved in fpathcmatical calculation, that a more full account of it 

 could not be given in the present skQtch. It is charged, by soniOj 



