464 Recent Progress of Electricity , [August, 
regard to qualities easily recognised by our senses, such as 
colour, taste, and smell, there are many other and more 
subtle changes which he effects that are not so readily ap- 
preciated by us. 
The true rationale of these changes is, I suspeCt, almost 
entirely beyond our comprehension. With regard to colour, 
knowing as we do that Electron, if not identical with light, 
is even superior to and inclusive of it, and of course com- 
prehends in his essence all the elementary colours of which 
white light is composed, we may more readily understand 
the powers he has in this department. It is quite conceiv- 
able that the ultimate atoms and the molecules of matter 
may have special affinities for certain of these colour-ele- 
ments, as we know they have for the other spectroscopic 
elements of light, and that they will, in consequence, reflect 
some, but absorb or neutralise others, appearing in that 
colour which they reflect, and showing black if they absorb 
all, but white if they reflect them all. 
So subtle and all-embracing is the essence of this great 
spirit that there is no part of the world, and of whatsoever 
it contains, that is not more or less imbued with it. But 
though embracing all things, he shows a decided preference 
for some above others, and this in so manifest a way that 
the Magi who are devoted to his service have had no diffi- 
culty in making out a catalogue of things in the order of his 
predilection for them. Among those for which he shows the 
highest favour and attachment are the great family of the 
metals, and it is chiefly through their means that mankind 
have been enabled to become acquainted with his character 
and qualities, and with at least some of the laws by which 
he is governed in the work which God has ordained him to 
do. By their means it is, too, that his extraordinary powers 
and qualities are being more and more applied to the direCt 
service and benefit of mankind. While an iron railway will 
convey its human travellers at the rate of a mile per minute, 
one at a fraction of its price can convey this Geni many 
thousands of miles in the same space of time. 
By operating through means of the different degrees of 
mutual affection between these atoms and their chief, and 
for each other, he can bring about a sharp and speedy con- 
flict among them, leading to their separation and re-arrange- 
ment, so as to form entirely new groups, with characters 
and powers very different from those belonging to the pre- 
vious groups, or to the individuals composing them. 
When Electron is made closely to embrace and to pass 
repeatedly round a portion of his favourite metal, it becomes 
