93 



activities acting against each other ! But upon what prin- 

 ciples does the reason select this particular arrangement of 

 activities to constitute matter? Are there not an hundred 

 other conceptions which the mind might form ? Could we 

 not suppose instead of two activities, an infinite number 

 acting at the same point from all sides ? Could we not 

 suppose these activities to be spherical instead of linear as 

 he describes them on p. 140? If he answers that this one 

 seemed the most fertile, explaining most readily the phe- 

 nomena covered by it — then he confesses the fallibility of 

 his conception, and acknowledges the necessity of an induc- 

 tion of facts to verify it. Again, if he appeals to rational 

 insight, must the author's insight Le permitted to dictate to 

 the rest of mankind ? If we should be asked, if our rational 

 insight taught us such a conception of matter we should be 

 bound in conscience to answer, No. We find it utterly 

 impossible for us to conceive of spiritual activities set head 

 to head in any such way. And if we were to admit the 

 possibility of this arrangement, reason would at once affirm 

 that the two equal activities would exactly counterbalance 

 each other, and there would be nothing left. We know 

 that when two equal forces are made to act upon any point 

 in opposite senses, that the point is entirely unaffected, and 

 may be moved up or down, to the right or left, in the same 

 way as if no two antagonist forces were acting upon it. 

 Now, if a body be conceived to be made up of such balanced 

 antagonisms, placed side by side by any arrangement, such 

 a body can have no ability to resist either penetration or 

 displacement. If an external pressure be exerted upon 

 such a body, the pairs of activities on which the pressure 

 acts being just in equilibrium, must give way without the 

 slightest resistance. 



So says the rational insight of this reviewer, and if its de- 

 terminations are to be the guide to truth in this matter, we 

 demand that our insight may have its due weight against 

 this theory. 



