Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations. 243 



formed into that of force, is a stale, flat, and unprofitable 

 conception, ending in non-entity. Abstract from matter its 

 qualities, and nothing is left but the conception of an incon- 

 ceivable subject of inhesion. True, this view has been aban- 

 doned to give place to the pincushion idea, in which the 

 pins stand for the imprisoned forces; forces that play the 

 game of hide and seek within, or stand and deliver with 

 outsiders. No: there are not two kings on one throne, Mat- 

 ter and Force; but one sole autocrat of all the realms of the 

 cosmos, Force, one, but not indivisible. Force, then, must 

 hatch the egg of the universe. Force is the nut we must 

 crack and digest, if ever a living system of science and know- 

 ledge shall inhabit our minds. 



Perhaps the easiest way to arrive at the dynamical con- 

 ception of matter will be to recur to the ancient fable of the 

 perpetual lamp which burns forever without feeding. Mat- 

 ter or substance is a perpetual or ceaseless energy, in the 

 original aristotelic signification of the word, constantly act- 

 ing and reacting throughout the domains of the physical 

 world. The notion of an entirely passive substance, meaning 

 of course a substance which could not manifest its existence 

 to any other external substance or being, or resist an en- 

 counter therewith, corresponds to nothing else than a blanc 

 void. Nor is the notion redeemed by clothing matter with 

 a relative passivity, like clay in the hands of the potter, to 

 be moulded into such shape as shall suit, the views of the 

 artist; for even plasticity is manifested by reaction. 



It may be said that the amount of force (matter) in the 

 universe is constant. Equilibrated forces are constantly de- 

 stroyed and constantly replaced in maintaining, and restor- 

 ing equilibrium when interrupted. Substances of different 

 density, that is, forces of different intensity, come to inter- 

 ference, and force is liberated. The liberated forces circulate 

 through trajectories peculiar each to its genus and the spe- 

 cifying conditions it encounters, and finally all return to 

 their source and keep the cosmical measure full. Everything 



