ON SYMPATHY AND FASCINATION. 



Of its mode of existence we know nothing : but as little do we know 

 of the principle of gravitation or of mind. We can only assure ourselves 

 that they are distinct powers, perhaps distinct essences ; and we see them 

 acting, as well separately as conjointly, for the general good. Under their 

 accordant influence we behold the plastic and mysterious substance of 

 matter, which we must be especially careful not to confound with them- 

 selves, rising from " airy nothing" into entity : ascending from invisible 

 elements into worlds and systems of Worlds ; from shapeless chaos and 

 confusion, into form, and order, and harmony ; from brute and lifeless im- 

 mobility, into energy and activity ; into a display of instinct, feeling, per- 

 ception ; of being, and beauty, and happiness. One common design, one 

 uniform code of laws, equally simple and majestic, equally local and com- 

 prehensive, pervades, informs, ynites, and consummates the whole. The 

 effect then being one, the mighty cause that produced it must be one also ; 

 an eternal and infinite unity — the radiating fountain of all possible per- 

 fections — ever active, but ever at rest — ever present, though never seen — 

 immaterial, incorporeal, ineffable : but the source of all matter, of all 

 mind, of all existences, and all modes of existence. Whatever we behold 

 is God — all nature is his awful temple — all sciences the porticoes that 

 open to it : and the chief duty of philosophy is to conduct us to his altar ; 

 to render all our attainments, whic4i are the bounteous afflations of his 

 spirit, subservient to his glory ; and to engrave on the tablet of our hearts 

 this great accordant motto of all natural and all revealed religion, of Athens 

 and of Antioch, of Aratus and of St. Paul, in him we live, and move, 

 and have our being." 



'E/c Atos' ap'^^iiincaba — 



7:avTr) 6e Aiog KE^pioyi^dci zavra' 

 Tou yap Kai yci/os coiitv. * 



LECTURE VL 



ox SYMPATHY AIN'D FASClNATiOIN. 



We have now summarily contemplated several of the most important I 

 phenomena both of organic and inorganic nature : and have traced out \ 

 something of the laws by which these phccnomena are produced and regu- 

 lated. Among the most extraordinary facts that have occurred to us, may 

 perhaps be enumerated the occasional production of effects by causes which 

 do not appear to be immediately connected with them ; the operation of 

 one body upon another remotely situated, and which, so far as we are able 

 to trace them, have no medium of communication. The sun is perpe- , 

 tually acting upon and influencing the earth, the earth the moon, the moon 

 the ocean : the magnet operates upon iron, whatever be the sheet of sub- 

 stance interposed ; and if the iron be divided into small filings, so that 

 the different particles may move with facility, communicates to each an 

 obvious polarity, and gives to the whole a peculiar and beautiful arrange- 

 ment. And the repulsive and attractive powers of the electric fluid are 

 supposed to act upon each other, not only where two or more particles of 



* Arat. Ph^aom. 1, 4, 5= 



