and its Connection *with Magnetism. isi 



(ftemical bodies, and also the two disposing electricities, neu- 

 tralise each other, and lose their distinctive qualities : and as 

 the union has been induced and effected by electric attraction, 

 so it is maintained by the quiescent attraction of the two elec- 

 tricities ; till it becomes disturbed by a more powerful agency, 

 which induces a change in the neutral substance, and gives its 

 constituents a tendency to enter into new arrangements." 



For the first two of the above principles I am wholly 

 indebted to the high authority of the illustrious Davy ; the 

 third is dependent upon the two preceding, although it is 

 somewhat more comprehensive in the views that it embraces. 



I come now to the consideration of that important, that 

 paramount agency, which appears to me to be constantly and 

 universally in a state of active operation. It has been already 

 mentioned, that the great principle of union, first named by 

 Professor Playfair, and recently referred to by Mr. Ritchie, 

 is, in fact, actually known ; but, as is too frequently the case, 

 men of even the highest mental endowments are too apt to 

 overlook the most visible evidence of facts, and to pursue 

 some phantom of the imagination. Thus it appears to have 

 happened with respect to the subject now under enquiry. 



The sun, the great fountain of light, is daily seen ; its in- 

 fluence is felt and acknowledged by all : still, however, as 

 this grand luminary is constantly before the eyes of man, he 

 fails in duly appreciating the stupendous importance of his 

 agency, and the number or magnitude of the phenomena 

 which he induces. To this luminary, this centre of our pla- 

 netary system, we must have recourse, if we hope ever to 

 discover the primary governing principle. It is in vain that 

 we investigate and compare known results ; that we institute 

 further and more severe experimental enquiries, with a view 

 to ascertain some certain bond or connecting link between 

 the several natural phenomena : the fact is, let us search 

 how and where we may, we discover nothing but mere effects, 

 the results produced by some mighty cause (I speak not ab- 

 stractedly of the First Cause) ; and, therefore, as we possess, in 

 the sun, a substance, a reality, to which certain known effects 

 can, without the possibility of doubt, or the fear of error, be 

 traced, it would appear true wisdom to bend every eflPort of 

 the mind, and to call in aid all that the power of instruments 

 can effect, in order to determine the nature of the solar light. 

 Having thus generalised, I now proceed to adduce a few 

 particular striking facts, which, after mature reflection, have 

 led me to conclude that the sun is the one great principle to 

 which all the higher phenomena must finally be referred ; 

 and these facts I shall arrange under the followins; heads ; — ^ 



N 3 



