lvi REPORT—1858. 
towards each other, the force being unalterable for an unchanging dis- 
tance, but varying inversely as the square of the distance, when the 
latter varies. Then, at the distance of 10 the force may be estimated 
as 1; whilst at the distance of 1, 2. e. one-tenth of the former, the 
force will be 100: and if we suppose an elastic spring to be introduced 
between the two as a measure of the attractive force, the power com- 
pressing it will be a hundred times as much in the latter case as in the 
former. But from whence can this enormous increase of the power come ? 
If we say that it is the character of this force, and content ourselves with 
that as a sufficient answer, then, it appears to me, we admit a creation 
of power, and that to an enormous amount; yet by a change of condition, 
so small and simple as to fail in leading the least-instructed mind to think 
that it can be a sufficient cause, we should admit a result which would 
equal the highest act our minds can appreciate of the working of infinite 
power upon matter; we should let loose the highest law in physical science 
which our faculties permit us to perceive, namely, the conservation of force. 
Suppose the two particles A and B removed back to the greater distance of 
10, then the force of attraction would be only a hundredth part of that they 
previously possessed ; this, according to the statement that the force varies 
inversely as the square of the distance, would double the strangeness of the 
above results; it would be an annihilation of force: an effect equal in its 
affinity and its consequences with ereation, and only within the power of Him 
who has created.” 
If we suppose the different modes of force, which we call ‘light,’ ‘heat,’ 
‘ gravity,’ to act in all directions, as emanations from a centre, with a force 
which is the same in every part of the line, throughout space, the law of the 
‘inverse squares ’ would be a necessary consequence of the fact that, at double 
the distance, only one-fourth the number of such ‘lines of force’ would im- 
pinge or act upon the ‘ illuminated,’ ‘ heated ’ or ‘attracted’ body *. 
This may be understood by the subjoined diagram :— 
* Westminster Review, No. XXVII. 
