30 The Lumber Trade of Toledo. 
electrical phenomena that have waited until now for their 
explanation; and also be able to reason out a very clear 
way through the difficulties of electrical science generally, 
which under the old theories were unapproachable; but 
the subject is too extensive for us to go into it on the 
present occasion. 
There is another consideration respecting the nature of 
electricity that should now be noticed ; for it points to the 
conclusion that electricity is not merely a physical force, as 
some seem inclined to think, but a material thing having 
force as its attribute. Electricity possesses two different 
forces, one attraction for matter and another drawing 
together its own particles; and the two attractions need to 
have a bond of union, for though they are antagonistic in 
_action they are never found separated, and it would be 
absurd to make one force the property of another. Now, 
it is impossible to imagine any cause for their association, 
other than a material substance of which they are both 
properties. Another reason confirming the existence of such 
a material is to be derived from the fact, that while both the 
electrical forces can be transmitted through all bodies with- 
out exception, some of those bodies arrest electricity on 
their surface and will not allow it to penetrate their sub- 
stance j | 
Enough has been said to enable us to commence an 
opinion as to what electricity is, and of the powers it is 
qualified to put into operation. 
THE ‘LUMBER TRADE OF TOLED®@: 
OLEDO is now one of the largest lumber markets in 
the world. Being at the head of water navigation 
from the pineries of Michigan, and having direct communi- 
cation with Cincinnati and the Ohio river by railroad and 
canal, it is an attractive point to dealers and builders at 
many of the river towns. So great has been the southern 
traffic in lumber during the past year, that enterprising 
capitalists at Cincinnati have purchased sites for yards, and 
the ensuing season we shall have three or four additional 
yards, employing a capital, probably, of 300,000 dols. to 
400,000 dols. Included among these, is that of a firm who 
