128 
Hiscriti- needs, at all events, a little friction. It is probable 
cisms as to the that molecules and ether are “ of the same stuff."’ 
fluid. rlect Molecules are coagulated ether; but Sir William 
is 
Thomson’s perfect fluid is not made of molecules at all. It 
something which does not exist. How slight soever be the 
friction in the imperfect fluid, we are wholly unacquainted with 
the precise law of the action of molecules in it, so that we are 
not advanced one step. But probably wherever theie is an atom 
there is an electric current. This hypothesis, if admitted, may 
at least explain many of the properties of atoms ; and if we find 
that it will not ultimately explain all, we may yet say that an 
atom is a small electric current,— and something else besides. But 
after this, Professor Clifford admits (with a boldness worthy of 
imitation) that “ these questions of physical speculation abut on 
a metaphysical question” (p. 778). We were beginning to think 
so. He even ventures to ask whether there is any object exter- 
nal to our minds, corresponding to what we call ‘ molecules 
and “ether”? Any how he has shown that the foundation of 
much of our authors’ theory is but faintly probable “ science ” 
in too many respects to bear the weight of their theological con- 
clusions. . , 
59. The fact that matter, as a phenomenon, is not ‘ to be 
increased or diminished,” the Professor continues, 
to'th^exist- “ has nothing at all to say to the question about the 
existence of something which is not matter.” This 
surely is honestly and bravely said (p. 778); and 
he adds that there is nothing to assure us, that the laws of 
motion and Conservation of Energy are “ always and everywhere 
true.” Surely the wonderful thing after this is, that Professor 
Clifford envies the writers of The Unseen Universe such foun- 
dations as they have chosen for their theology 
statement,” he says, might be, that the Conservation 
Energy was only a very near approximation to the fact. Hie 
doctrine of Dissipation surely shows this (p. 779). 
60. But Professor Clifford does not allow the “ Second 
Ether” of our authors to escape so well. A mole- 
cule travelling through the ether vibrates. Its energy 
of translation becomes energy of vibration. This 
molecular disturbance agitates the ether. This 
transfers part of the energy to a second ether, and so 
on. As there is no reason why vibratory motion 
should not be transferred into other kinds of ethereal motion ; 
and no reason why it should not go to the making of atoms, 
(and of course, no reason why it should), the Professor “ pre- 
sents this speculation to anybody who wants the Universe to go 
ence of some- 
thing which 
is not matter. 
“ The right 
of 
His criti- 
cism as to 
“ Second 
Ether” and 
its contents, 
“ Human Con 
sciousness.” 
