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example, the heat which on a vast scale abounds in vapour, 
is given out as clouds are formed, and accounts for the 
positive and negative electricity ; and also, when redundant, 
for lightning from thunder clouds. As much heat is evolved 
above the clouds, where cold prevails, it must become 
elemental or neutral there, and justifies the inference that it 
is identical with the electric fluid, as above said. That 
electricity and magnetism are but diverse actions of one 
element has been proved, and their action on matter proves 
their materiality. The mechanical and chemical action of 
light proves its materiality also ; and that light and heat are 
identical has been clearly established. The plurality of 
imponderable elements is, therefore, disproved by the fact 
that the mutations of the one element fully account for all of 
the phenomena attributed to several. The gravitating and 
elastic properties of matter constitute their statical and 
moving forces, for ever balancing each other. The former of 
these forces would consolidate the material universe “ with 
lightning speed,” but for the reaction of the latter force. 
There is no reason why the force of gravity should be 
measured by the established laws of falling bodies, except 
that experiment has shown the velocities actually attained by 
them in vacuo. But this vacuum is the absence of air o?ily, 
not that of the “ elastic medium and it is this that holds 
the poise of matter throughout illimitable space. 
