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counterbalance one another, and produce the elliptical motions of the planets 
round the sun, if their orbits are elliptical. But it follows also, that the 
theory of mechanical laws and gravity which have been assigned to them for 
producing these effects for the last 150 years, are inadequate for the purpose, 
and that this hypothesis is perhaps, of all others, the only one demonstrably 
impossible. 
“ The theory herein hinted at as a substitute, namely, that the laws of the 
universe are chemical rather than mechanical ; and that an equally constant 
and universal repulsive influence must operate to counterbalance any force of 
gravitation, if gravitation be universal, is equally tenable, whether the 
Copernican or Ptolemaic systems of astronomy be true. The central heat of 
the sun, probably the source of electricity also, as well as of light, with the 
exterior cold, whence may come the principle and currents of magnetism, as 
opposed to those of the electric fluid, obviously suggest themselves to all 
who have made the chemistry of creation their study, as such universal and 
opposing forces in nature. 
“ On the other hand, it would be vain to deny that, when full regard is 
had to the contrast between light and heavy substances, between heat and 
cold, between terrestrial and celestial bodies as they appear ; judging from 
all the analogies of substances of which we have experience, and apart from 
the preconceived notions as to the physical laws and mechanical theory of 
astronomy which have been instilled into us from the cradle ; there is much 
to be said in favour of reverting to the old notion of a central earth, sur- 
rounded by its glorious canopy and hosts of revolving lights, as after all most 
probable. That such a central globe would, however, most probably revolve 
on its axis, and only be at perfect rest at its poles, is also perfectly consistent 
with the notion above hinted, as to the effects of heat and cold, or electricity 
and its opposite, in regulating the motions of the earth and heavenly bodies. 
The expansion of the air and elements from the heat and light of the sun, 
and its electrical influence (if it have such influence), acting obliquely, and 
upon one side of the earth at a time, might have originally produced, and 
may now continue to cause, its rotation. 
“ Certainly, from all we know of fire and light, it seems more natural to 
conclude that the heavenly bodies are formed of some such imponderable 
substances, as it were embodied, and in continual motion, rather than to 
regard them as formed of dull and heavy matter like the earth. If so — 
lighter than air of whatever tenuity, lighter than the imagined ether— they 
might float on the surface of such a surrounding extension of the earth’s 
atmosphere, like the balloon that floats majestically in the air. And, 
perhaps, now, one may be allowed to speculate thus, as to how the universe 
may be arranged by its all-wise Creator, upon the hypothesis that there are 
not ‘ more worlds than one.’ 
“ As for the fixed stars, it is not a little surprising that so little modifica- 
tion of former theories has followed the revelations made of late years by our 
largest telescopes, inconsistent with those theories, which were previously as 
firmly believed in as universal gravitation and the mechanical laws which 
