LAW OF GRAVITATION. 223 



universality is a fact of observation merely. 

 How then came a property, in its existence so 

 needful for the support of the universe, in its 

 laws so well adapted to the purposes of creation, 

 how came it to be thus universal ? Its being 

 found everywhere is necessary for its uses ; but 

 this is so far from being a sufficient explanation 

 of its existence, that it is an additional fact to be 

 explained. We have here, then, an agency, 

 most simple in its rule, most comprehensive in 

 its influence, most effectual and admirable in its 

 operation. What evidence could be afforded of 

 design, by laws of mechanical action, which this 

 law thus existing and thus operating does not 

 afford us? 



5. It is not necessary for our purpose to con- 

 sider the theories which have been proposed to 

 account for the action of gravity. They have 

 proceeded on the plan of reducing this action to 

 the result of pressure or impulse. Even if such 

 theories could be established, they could not 

 much, or at all, affect our argument; for the 

 arrangements by which pressure or impact could 

 produce the effects which gravity produces, must 

 be at least as clearly results of contrivance, as 

 gravity itself can be. 



In fact, however, none of these attempts can 

 be considered as at all successful. That of New- 

 ton is very remarkable : it is found among the 

 Queries in the second edition of his Optics. " To 



