24 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ELECTRICITY 



in its corpuscles, as to facilitate immediate resolution into the 

 radiant state of light. 



It is the link re-uniting matter in loth its states ; for we 

 observe links of connection between all bodies of the animal, 

 vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, and cannot deny the exist- 

 ence of similar points of contact and union between the solid, 

 fluid, gaseous, and radiant states of matter. 



The power of easy ignition depends on the appropriate state 

 of the polarity of constituted bodies, to resolve with facility to 

 the radiant state of light ; and such bodies are denominated 

 inflammable. 



But the presence of free oxygen, composing in part, or 

 wholly, the medium of operation, is necessary. For OXYGEN is 

 POSITIVE ELECTRICITY, and exerts its power as fully in the 

 promotion of that energy of action, among the atoms of matter 

 about to be resolved into the state of LIGHT, and affording 

 thereby the sensation of caloric, as a consequence, as does 

 negative electricity, being the combined power of nitrogen and 

 hydrogen, to produce magnetic affection in the act of its con- 

 tinuous union, with oxygen, or the positive electricity. This 

 constitutes that sublime effect called GRAVITATION according 

 to my views. 



In support of this opinion I beg to state an hypothesis, as 

 follows : Suppose the SUN and its atmosphere are in a negative 

 state of electricity towards our EARTH, and the other planets 

 of our system, that the hemispheres of our earth and of the 

 planets always immediately in opposition to the sun, are in a 

 POSITIVE state of electricity, and consequently are attracted 

 by the SUN ; and that they are severally protected in their 

 orbits by having received a velocity of motion respectively and 

 proportionally great, to preserve their equilibrium in the most 

 just precision, and to retain them in their continuous move- 

 ment. 



That our earth, for instance, (as an example, in all other 

 cases,) in turning on its axis in diurnal rotation, is always 



