VELOCITY OF LIGHT ACCOUNTED FOR. 39 



Thus, then, when the surface of the earth is plus-positive, and 

 that the superincumbent atmosphere is plus-negative, an elec- 

 tric discharge ensues ; but it is almost always observable that 

 the direction of that discharge is to the earth's surface, imply- 

 ing the fact of the repletion of the atmosphere ; and that the 

 issue or result of such discharge, is to compensate the abstrac- 

 tion of a certain quantum of the constituents of light withdrawn 

 from the radiant state by chemical combination with bodies 

 of fixed matter, to perfect the daily operations of nature. 



Although the general surface of the illuminated hemisphere 

 of our globe, when the sun is visible to us, is under the positive 

 state of electrical influence, yet, in certain localities, under par- 

 ticular circumstances of accidental combinations (equally neces- 

 sary to perform the demands of nature), an inverted state of the 

 electrical influences as regard the earth's surface and atmo- 

 sphere, respectively, may exist ; yet on most, if not all, occasions, 

 the direction of the electrical discharges is (as before observed) 

 to the earth's surface. 



The velocity of light is calculated to be equal to 192,000 

 miles in a second. 



The passage of such an imponderable body, however minute, 

 through a space of such immense length (permeating an atmo- 

 sphere various in its densities), from the necessary force of 

 projection required for its accomplishment within the given 

 measure of time prescribed, "one second" would impress us 

 with the apprehension of a probable error in supposing that one 

 molecule, or atom, of the compound matter of light, could tra- 

 verse such an immense distance without the necessity for the 

 exertion of a projectile force so overpowering, and to which we 

 would conceive it but rational to impute the capability to pro- 

 duce at the point of incidence, on the orb of vision (for in- 

 stance) , an impression far more sensible than that to winch we 

 are (from experience) daily habituated to sustain. 



Now it does appear far more reasonable to suppose that it 

 may require a second of time to re-unite in one continuous line, 



