Chemical Theory of Electricity and Magnetism. 47 



which at first projected the planets from the sun, and I suppose pre- 

 vents their return to it; and which occasionally volatilizes or decom- 

 poses solid bodies into fluid or aerial ones, and perhaps into ethereal 

 ones. 



May not the ethereal matter which constitutes repulsion, be the 

 same as the matter of heat in its diffused state; which in its quiescent 

 state is combined with various bodies, as appears from many chemical 

 explosions, in which so much heat is set at liberty? The ethereal 

 matter, which constitutes attraction, we are less acquainted with; but 

 it may also exist combined with bodies, as well as in its diffused state ; 

 since the specific gravities of some metallic mixtures are said not to 

 accord with what ought to result from the combination of their specific 

 gravities, which existexl before their mixture; but their absolute gra- 

 vities have not been attended to sufficiently ; as these have always been 

 supposed to depend on their quantity of matter, and situation in re- 

 spect to the centre of the earth. 



The ethereal fluids, which constitute peculiar repulsions and attrac- 

 tions, appear to gravitate round the particles of bodies mixed together; 

 as those, which constitute the general repulsion or attraction, appear 

 to gravitate round the greater masses of matter mixed together; but 

 that which constitutes attraction seems to exist in a denser state next 

 to the particles or masses of matter ; and that which constitutes repul- 

 sion to exist more powerfully in a sphere further from them; whence 

 many bodies attract at one distance, and repel at another. This may 

 be observed by approaching to each other two electric atmospheres 

 round insulated cork-balls; or by pressing globules of mercury, which 

 roll on the surface, till they unite with it; or by pressing the drops of 

 water, which stand on a cabbage leaf, till they unite with it, and 

 hence light is reflected from the surface of a mirror without touch- 

 ing it. 



Thus the peculiar attractions and repulsions of the particles of 

 bodies, and the general ones of the masses of matter, perpetually 

 oppose and counteract each other; whence if the power of attraction 

 should cease to act, all matter would be dissipated by the power of 

 repulsion into boundless space; and if heat, or the power of repulsion, 

 should cease to act, the whole world would become one solid mass, 

 condensed into a point. 



