4 COSMIC PHILOSOPHY. [w. '• 



union, while disruptive or thermal forces are continually urg- 

 ing them toward wider separation. In view of this, suppose 

 we regard matter, with Newton, as consisting of solid atoms, 

 never absolutely contiguous to each other, but always attract- 

 ing or repelling each other with a force varying inversely as 

 the squares of the distances between the atoms. 



What then is the constitution of these hypothetical 

 atoms ? Are they divisible, or indivisible ? And if divisible, 

 what shall we say of the parts into which they are divided ? 

 Can these be again divided, and so on for ever ? If we say 

 yes, we are speedily brought face to face with a double in- 

 conceivability. For, on the one hand, by no effort of thought 

 can we conceive the infinite divisibility of a particle of 

 matter. Mentally to represent any such division would 

 require infinite time. On the other hand, granting that the 

 particles which we have postulated as the component units 

 of matter are divisible, we have not escaped the difficulty 

 which confronted us at the outset. For each of these 

 particles, if divisible, is a piece of matter just like the block 

 of metal or wood with which we set out, — only smaller in 

 size. The particles of these particles cannot, as we have 

 seen, be in direct contact ; then they must each be com- 

 posed of several particles not in contact, but exerting on 

 each other attractive and repulsive forces that vary inversely 

 with the squares of their distances apart ; and again we 

 have to ask of these particles, Are they divisible or indi- 

 visible? and so on, for ev^r. 



Such are the difficulties into which we are led if we 

 assume that the atoms of which matter is composed are 

 divisible. Let us now assume that (as their name implies) 

 they are indivisible. And this is, no doubt, the assumption 

 which is most congruous with the experiences of the chemist. 

 Yet we shall find that an absolutely indivisible atom is quite 

 inconceivable by human intelligence. Every such atom, if it 

 exists, must have an upper side and an under side, a right side 



