1846.] Thoughts on Ray -vibrations. 367 



last understand that I merely threw out as matter for specula- 

 tion, the vague impressions of my mind, for 1 gave nothing as 

 the result of sufficient consideration, or as the settled conviction, 

 or even probable conclusion at which I had arrived. 



The point intended to be set forth for the consideration of 

 the hearers was, whether it was not possible that the vibrations 

 which in a certain theory are assumed to account for radiation 

 and radiant phenomena may not occur in the lines of force 

 which connect particles and consequently masses of matter 

 together ; a notion which, as far as it is admitted, will dispense 

 with the ether which, in another view, is supposed to be the 

 medium in which these vibrations take place. 



You are aware of the speculation* which I some time since 

 uttered respecting that view of the nature of matter which 

 considers its ultimate atoms as centres of force, and not as so 

 many little bodies surrounded by forces, the bodies being- 

 considered in the abstract as independent of the forces and ca- 

 pable of existing without them. In the latter view, these little 

 particles have a definite form and a certain limited size ; in the 

 former view such is not the case, for that which represents size 

 may be considered as extending to any distance to which the 

 lines of force of the particle extend : the particle indeed is sup- 

 posed to exist only by these forces, and where they are it is. 

 The consideration of matter under this view gradually led me 

 to look at the lines of force as being perhaps the seat of the 

 vibrations of radiant phenomena. 



Another consideration bearing conjointly on the hypothetical 

 view both of matter and radiation, arises from the comparison 

 of the velocities with which the radiant action and certain powers 

 of matter are transmitted. The velocity of light through space 

 is about 190,000 miles in a second; the velocity of electricity 

 is, by the experiments of Wheatstone, shown to be as great as 

 this, if not greater : the light is supposed to be transmitted by 

 vibrations through an ether which is, so to speak, destitute of 

 gravitation, but infinite in elasticity ; the electricity is transmitted 

 through a small metallic wire, and is often viewed as transmitted 

 by vibrations also. That the electric transference depends on 

 the forces or powers of the matter of the wire can hardly be 

 doubted, when we consider the different conductibility of the 



* Philosophical Magazine, 1844, vol. xxiv. p. 136 or Experimental Re- 

 searches in Electricity, vol. ii. p. 284. 



