FRASER — OX :VIAGXETISM. 37' 



power, when under certain conditions. True there is connect- 

 ed with the telegraph a mechanical power a,ud action as well, 

 but this is only from a secondary agency employed in its oper- 

 ations. The combination of these two powers, magnetic and 

 mechanical, in the telegraph, may remind one of the action of 

 the two powers we notice in the animal organization, distin- 

 guished as involuntary and voluntary. So close is the resem- 

 blance that we may without impropriety term the magnetic 

 telegraph an artificial animal. 



It will be necessary for the sake of clearness to distinguish 

 between the tw^o ao-encies, the magnetic and mechanical, for 

 although they work in harmony they are nevertheless totallj- 

 different in their modes of action, being yoverned by different 

 laws. The mechanical or voluntary agency is well knowu, and 

 is apparent only in visible matter and through mathemaiicol 

 rules. It controls all voluntary and secondary forces and 

 motions. But these forces and motions are induced primarily 

 by the involuntary power inherent in all matter, which power is 

 under the control of natural laio only. And this law may be 

 observed m the action of all atoms visible and invisible, in all 

 chemical and natural phenomena. It is onl}- influenced by 

 mechanical lavv- throuo-h mechanical arrano'ement of matter, or 

 in other words when matter is placed in a position by which its 

 atoms may be free to act through their magnetic forces and 

 natural properties. The magnetic or primary being a subtle 

 invisible agency and force, can only be known as to its nature 

 by observing its action and law on matter in its various forms, 

 circumstances and positions. To this agency belongs what may 

 be termed the primarj^ force and involuntary actions of the 

 telegraph . 



Magnetism, or that primary force noticed in metals, and its 

 law, is the invisible controlling agent or power in all matter or 

 atoms, in either their gaseous, liquid, or solid forms. Concern- 

 ing this power, its law and action, there has been many conjec- 

 tures, particularly in reference to the nature and operation of 

 electricity and magnetism in the telegraph and in animals. "We 

 have as yet had no certain theory of either, and most persons 

 consider such subjects too mysterious even for enquiry. 



