383 
of Edinburgh^ Session 1864 - 65 . 
Consider the atoms as matter, and all seems contradiction ; consider 
them as forces, and the phenomena, we observe, become compara- 
tively easy to understand or to conceive. 
For example, the tissues of the animal frame are a nicely-ba- 
lanced combination of elementary atoms. All animal and vegetable 
tissues are composed of clusters or groups of these atoms^ and the 
nature of the grouping implies, as the organic chemist well knows, 
that these forces are held in comparatively feeble combination. 
What is flesh to-day is corruption to-morrow, resolving itself into 
new combinations. This is an essential condition, and without it 
nutrition, assimilation, and renovation would not be possible ; for 
it is only where all is feebly held together that a ready transfer of the 
parts can be effected. If, then, we regard our bodies, and the sub- 
stances we take into the stomach, as nicely balanced collocp,tions 
of forces, we can understand how one group may nourish us, or 
become incorporated with our bodies, while another slightly dif- 
ferent combination may dissolve or break up the forces binding the 
substance of the animal tissues together, or may stifle or may 
stimulate the movements of the nervous energy, or may completely 
paralyse the organ where this vital agent; is generated. 
The following seven considerations and facts, derived from phy- 
sical science, lead us to the conclusion that matter does not 
exist : — 
Is^, All matter (if such an entity exists) acts external to itself. 
The sun acts on the earth, and the earth acts on the moon. The 
power of attraction between these large bodies, considered as a 
mechanical force, is enormous ; and as we know of no material link 
between them which can explain so strange a fact, we are com- 
pelled to believe in the existence of this tremendous mechanical or 
physical force without a mechanical agent to produce it. 
2cZ, It is evident, in like manner, that when chemical atoms act 
on each other, they act external to themselves. It is therefore here 
not matter which acts on matter, but force on force. 
3cZ, It can be proved that no one portion of matter ever touches 
another. The elasticity of all substances proves this ; and when it 
is objected to this argument that the ultimate parts of matter may 
be compressible, this objection is merely equivalent to saying that 
their parts may come closer^ and that they are not absolutely close. 
