1880.] The Vehicle of Force . 609 
possessing, perhaps, the quality of existence only ; an un- 
varying sum of motion, which yields matter the energy of 
momentum ; and a directive principle, known as attraction 
and repulsion. No matter how vigorous this latter force, it 
is not motion, and therefore cannot add to nor subtract from 
motion, nor is it convertible into motion. It is limited in 
its action to the changing of the direction of moving matter, 
thus exerting a force, since matter retains its direction of 
movement with a certain energy. 
The question to be solved is, What is the origin and cha- 
racter of this directive force ? where shall we seek for that 
vital principle of Nature from which arise the various 
manifestations of directive influence known as Electricity, 
Magnetism, Chemism, and Gravitation ? As we have al-. 
ready stated, it has always been assumed that this force is an 
attribute of matter, and men have shut their eyes to certain 
striking indications of nature, in their efforts to establish 
untenable hypotheses, based upon this false conception. 
Yet it is simply impossible to comprehend that two similar 
particles can now attract and now repel each other, from 
any principle inherent in themselves, while the idea of a 
self-repulsive ether and an attractive matter makes of nature 
a very intricate affair. 
But it may be argued that the particles of matter are not 
similar, that they attract under one set of conditions and 
repel under another. Yet this does not dispose of the diffi- 
culty of their possessing two opposite forces as inherent 
attributes. It leads us, however, to the possibility of 
another interpretation of the question. For this difference 
in condition means, in many cases, and perhaps in all, a 
difference in motive relations. The matter may continue 
the same, but its internal movements have varied, and its 
force influence upon other substance varies accordingly. 
Does not this yield us a new conception ? If the attractive 
and repulsive energies of matter interchange as its motive 
relations vary, it naturally seems as if these energies had 
more to do with motion than with matter ; as if, in short, 
attraction and repulsion were inherent attributes, not of 
matter, but of motion. And, again, if attraction and re- 
pulsion be simply directive energies, their whole influence 
consists in producing changes in the direction of motions ; 
and it is certainly as easy to conceive that motions exert 
this influence upon each other, as to suppose that it is 
exerted upon them by matter. All the results of directive 
force are variations in motion, and it is very natural to con- 
clude that the force itself is an attribute of motion. 
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