THE EVOLUTION OF MATTER 205 



ment on given lines, Force would be absolutely necessary. 

 On the other hand, if one pictures Matter as having been 

 derived from Force there is no such difficulty. Our real 

 difficulty is in conceiving Force or Power in the absence 

 of Matter, or before Matter evolved ; and it is only possible 

 to try to imagine vaguely Force as the Force of Attraction, 

 and in " pre-creation " days sustaining some all-containing 

 system of equilibrium and unity. 



Our speculative theory is that the All-containing cycle 

 started from such a non-material state of unity and attraction, 

 and that the cycle itself could only start its course through 

 the transformation of attractive into repulsive force, with 

 as a result disequilibrium, separation, and division. There 

 would be a chaos of Force, and a shattering of previously 

 obtaining oneness to its utmost limits. This shattering, 

 however, we suppose to have been followed by the first 

 step towards the restoration of lost oneness through the 

 re-induction of Force of Attraction ; that is, the lost equi- 

 librium immediately began to be regained through a 

 gradually evolving dominance of Attraction. This belief is 

 based on the revelation of all natural growth-cycles, where 

 we can recognise that Attraction induces Repulsion, and 

 vice versa, but all with the inevitable end that Attraction 

 gains the victory. 



And our next supposition is also based on the revelation 

 of natural law. For as we can trace the constant battle 

 between Attraction and Repulsion, and the dominance of 

 the former force, in the evolution of living Continuity, so 

 we might picture the first victory of Attraction over Repul- 

 sion to take the form of inconceivably small " force-systems " 

 which, like the original all- containing System, would have 

 distinct and complete identity of personality. 



Repulsion would keep apart, and prevent the coalescence 

 of these " ultimate particles," or " potential force-units," 

 but their actual existence would indicate a victory for 

 Attraction. The particles would be insulated in the sense 

 that Force of Attraction would prevent their dissolution, 

 while Force of Repulsion would for the time being prevent 

 their aggregation into larger systems. 



This is to picture the ultimate particle of Matter as a 

 force system, bound in attraction round some mysterious 



