MECHANISM OF NATURE 



Because we cannot readily trace the changes 

 made by the explosion backward of the powder, is 

 that proof that there were no changes? 



Every substance has a property. 



By some property we recognize each substance. 



The changes wrought in matter by force are dif- 

 ferent in any two kinds of matter; the force light 

 makes one substance green and another red. 



Then is every substance a storehouse, not of 

 force but of a capability to exhibit the action of 

 force in its own peculiar way. 



A bale of cotton may stop a bullet, but the force 

 that sent the bullet will keep on through all time, 

 because it is one continuous whole force; through 

 endless changes in innumerable bodies it must go 

 without intermission or rest.* 



The friction which retards force what is it ? 



The inequalities of two moving bodies engage 

 each other, and a part of the force heats up the 

 bodies. 



Whether mysterious force or power is stored up 

 in a wooden god, or whether- a cubic inch of radium 

 gives out light and X rays without transmitted 

 force, or a lump of coal is held to have stored up 

 the sunshine of bygone ages, all alike are con- 

 trary to our best conception of force. 



Therefore, etc. 



* This proposition has no pretence of originality what- 

 ever. But it is an important stepping stone, for in the 

 consideration of force, particularly in momentum, the ques- 

 tion of force storage is of utmost importance. 



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