NEWTON AND LAPLACE. 261 



directs and governs the stupendous frame of 

 nature, that the physical cause of chemical 

 force, and of universal attraction may be recog- 

 nized in the smallest dew-drop that glitters on 

 the grass. 



It has been shewn for example, that the atoms 

 of oxygen and hydrogen, are chemically united 

 by the agency of caloric, making compound par- 

 ticles of water, which are aggregated into the 

 spherical form by the attraction of cohesion and 

 that it adheres to solid bodies by capillary at- 

 traction all of which, according to Newton and 

 Laplace, are modified effects of the same cause 

 that actuates the vast machinery of the universe. 



When a certain proportion of caloric is com- 

 bined with this little dew-drop, it assumes the 

 solid and crystalline form in another propor- 

 tion it renders it liquid, and enables it to com- 

 bine with other bodies while an additional 

 quantity of the same aethereal fluid which held 

 its particles together, separates and expands 

 them into thin air. 



Again, the phenomena of a burning candle 

 demonstrate the agency of caloric in chemical 

 and capillary attraction, as effectually as a thou- 

 sand experiments, though contrived with the 

 greatest skill. By the application of heat to the 

 wick, it is ignited, when it attracts oxygen ra- 

 pidly from the atmosphere, causing combustion. 

 During this process, the tallow is rendered fluid, 

 and attracted by the burning wick, affording a 



