4 Introduction. 



affinity, in place of that of gravitation, which latter proves 

 that each particle attracts every other particle in an equal 

 degree. Chemical science is a direct negative to this 

 general law. 



From the foregoing the great law of Precursion is 

 deduced as a law which governs the entire universe. Its 

 simple meaning is prcz before and curro, I run, or the 

 unequal attraction of all units of masses to a centre ; as 

 the sun, planets, etc., as so many single masses, and known 

 in this form by the ratio of acceleration which each 

 possesses, as 'calculated from the combined axoidal and 

 orbital motions ; and in atoms by the laws governing 

 chemical affinities generally. 



Lastly : That attractive force in each element is always 

 rigidly fixed and never alters ; but not so the repellant. 

 This force can be disturbed. There is a point below which 

 it cannot be disturbed without an atom ceasing to be, 

 which, as the universe is at present constituted, is impossible. 

 But beyond this point of zero it is capable of the greatest 

 amount of variation, and of localising and transplanting 

 from one point to another with amazing power of accumu- 

 lation or concentration, so as in a variety of ways to 

 greatly counterpoise the attractive force, and to dislodge 

 it from holding atoms, in apposition with each other. This 

 it does as an element, or imponderable, under the forms of 

 heat, electricity, magnetism, etc., etc. 



