176 ELECTRICITY WHAT. 



with caloric. For the proofs of this identity, the 

 reader is referred to the next book, where it will 

 be demonstrated that solar caloric is the basis 

 of lightning ; and that under all circumstances, 

 however various the phenomena of electricity, 

 they are only modified effects of the same agent 

 which produces evaporation and solution. 



The general recognition of this important truth 

 will banish from the science of nature an im- 

 mense mass of obscure and metaphysical jargon, 

 by divesting it of that complexity which has 

 hitherto baffled every attempt to explain in a 

 satisfactory manner, the connexion of heat and 

 electricity with cohesion and chemical affinity. 

 The absurdity of supposing that the atoms of 

 bodies are surrounded with two distinct aethereai 

 agents, one of which draws them together, while 

 the other repels them asunder, is too obvious to 

 require a serious refutation, 



By the attraction of caloric for ponderable mat- 

 ter, it unites and holds together all things ; by its 

 self repulsive agency, it separates and expands all 

 things. 



To whatever portion of nature's wide domain 

 we turn our attention, we recognize the operation 

 of this universal law. Hence it is, to use the 

 significant language of Bacon, that " heat and 

 cold are nature's two hands ;" which is a general 

 though vague enunciation of the above law : for 



