AN APOLOGUE OF CORPOREAL AND COSMICAL INFINITY. 
637 
portions. I only say that I should prefer this theory to that of perfect solidity. 
For, upon the supposition that atoms are cemented together, like flints in a wall, 
how could motion among them be conceived, or change of any kind ?” 
« So long as you do not require me to entertain such vast disproportions,” I 
responded, “I am quite willing to accept your presentation of the subject as 
among the things that may be possible. But what have you to say respecting 
these great interspaces? What do they contain? Or do they contain any¬ 
thing?” 
u They do not contain anything,” he replied ; ‘‘ neither do they contain no¬ 
thing ; yet, nevertheless, they contain something.” 
“ Now you are more enigmatical than the sphinx, I demurred. 
“ Listen !” he explained, “ and I will endeavour to make my meaning clear 
to you. To say that this space contains nothing would be to say that it contains 
matter. But as matter is not self-subsistent, this is simply impossible.. To say 
that it contains anything would be to say that it contains body. But this is con¬ 
trary to our hypothesis, according to which this space separates bodies, and is by 
nature opposed to, and different from, them. But when I say that it coutaius 
something, I virtually affirm that it is filled by a substance, and that this substance 
separates bodies—maxima and minima—not only as a dead master of fact, but, 
that it moreover actively and potentially separates them, and maintains them 
separate ; insomuch that, if we could imagine it annihilated, they would run 
together and fall into chaos.” 
“ Am I to understand,” I here interposed, “ that you parallel the words no¬ 
thing, something, and anything, with the terms matter, substance, and body, as 
meaning that the former are correct logical designations of the latter ? 
“ Undoubtedly,” he replied. “ For matter, as you are well aware, is nought, no 
thing. Substance, however, actually subsists, and is some thing, the something 
out of which all things are made that are made. But body is any, and therefore 
every, thing that does exist, did exist, or ever will exist. 1 
“ I dare say you are right,” I hesitated j u and when I have had time to think 
over and digest what you have been saying, I may be able to see it as clearly 
as you appear to do; but, at present, these logical quiddities are rather con¬ 
fusing.” , 
“ The more you think over it, the clearer it will become to you, said he. 
“ But as the subject is now pretty nearly exhausted, let the charm be dissolved, 
and our preternatural vision contract to its ordinary focus. "W hile this is taking 
place, note, as the atoms and molecules gradually draw together and fade from 
separate view, how our body begins again to take consistence, passing from t re 
appearance of a filmy vapour to that of a mist, of a cloud, of a still denser cloud, 
till, as it approaches its original size, it recovers its pristine opacity and solidity, 
and remains at last a mere stone in my hand. Sic transit. 
Saying which, he jerked the stone away, and for some time maintained a con¬ 
templative silence; while I occupied myself in reviewing and pondering ovei 
the strange views he had so unexpectedly placed before me. W e were both o 
us soon aroused, however, when, upon turning a bend of the road, we came in 
sight of a picturesque old-fashioned inn, renowned as well for its excellent ale, 
as°for the quaint shrewdness of the host; and here we determined nem. con., to 
take half an hour’s ease, and refresh ourselves for the continuance of our journey, 
now about two-thirds finished. After some smart passages of arms between my 
companion aud our host, in which I must confess that the latter had the advan¬ 
tage, we paid our reckoning, and resumed our walk ; and, what with the rest, 
the mug of old ale, the continued brilliance of the day, and, as possibly my 
excellent friend flattered himself, the brilliance of his own conversation, we re¬ 
sumed it with spirits higher even than when we started in the earlier morning. 
“ This day deserves to be marked with a white stone, I began. 
