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of the elements believed in instinctively by the mediaeval 
philosophers did not, after all seem so unlikely ; the complex 
atoms might conceivably break down into simpler arrange- 
ments, and so give rise to new kinds of atoms, and thus to 
new kinds of matter. The seventy odd kinds of atoms we 
knew of might only be survivals of the break up of much 
heavier atoms long since extinct. We would then have to 
cease to regard matter as essentially eternal and unalterable, 
the possibility of its undergoing a continual though slow 
process of evolution would present itself clearly before us. 
Until ten years ago this was little more than mere speculation, 
though it was true that certain facts pointed vaguely to its 
possible truth. 
However, during the past ten years — ten years of the most 
brilliant progress ever known in the history of electrical 
science — not only had this transmutation of the elements 
been seen to be going on before their very eyes, but the pro- 
bable fundamental constituent of all matter had been isolated 
and measured. This was, remarkable as it might seem, 
nothing more nor less than electricity itself — a particle of 
electricity, or as it was called, an “ electron.” Each electron 
had been shown to occupy a space, the hundred thousandth 
of the space occupied by an atom, minute as even that was. 
These “ electrons ” were revolving in orbits about one another 
at immense speeds, the spaces between them being as great in 
comparison with themselves as the spaces between the planets 
were with themselves. This system of revolving “ electrons ” 
constituted the atom, which was itself so small that there were 
two billion billions of them in a cubic inch of water. Matter 
then was a structure of atoms, which were themselves structures 
of rapidly whirling electrons.” The “ electrons ” themselves 
were particles of electricity, which was thus the fundamental 
constituent of matter. This might all seem very fanciful, 
but the accumulation of evidence during the past ten years 
has caused this view to be universally adopted. 
After an appreciation of scientists and professors who have 
carried out researches in the matter, the lecturer went on 
to show that light, heat, the Hertzian electric waves of wireless 
telegraphy, the X rays, radio-activity, nay, even matter 
itself, were only electrical manifestations of different types. 
Light, heat, and Hertzian waves were waves in the aether, 
that subtle medium which must exist in all space and in the 
spaces between the electrons which build up all matter — a 
medium not perceptible to our ordinary senses, but only 
perceived by them when stirred up into waves. The Hertzian 
waves used in wireless telegraphy were identical in character 
