Mi\ Taylor’s Dojinitkn of Multiplication, [Oct, I, 
ei4 
flane of the equator of the moving hody^ 
is a consequence of the arrangement of 
an excess of the ObCiltating fluid in one of 
the hemispheres, us in our southern he¬ 
misphere. 
No peculiar numeiacal laws of pressure 
ill the universal medium, nor any given 
centriruga! force, are required to eiiect 
the motions of the planetary bodies. 
It is simply necessary, that the powers 
should be uniform, universal, and in a 
degree calculated to balance each other 
under any required circumstances. Such 
an accommodation of powers evidently 
exists in a peculiar manner, in an oscil- 
latingiiuid, as applied to counteract the 
uniform pressure of a universal medium. 
Its centrifugal impetus would mechani- 
cailv be increased from a pound avoirdu¬ 
pois, to millions of tons, as the inverse 
ratio of the distances might require. 
But no violence or extraordinary force 
belongs to the motions of nature. It is 
pirobable that the pressure towards the 
sun in the earth for example, is little 
more than is requisite slightly to destroy 
its inertia. This pressure is easily coun¬ 
teracted by the oscillations of the waters, 
(ond as nature does nothing abruptly, 
may we not add that of the atmosphere 
also,) so that the progression in the 
orbit between the poise^ forces is serene, 
quiet, and grand, not dissimilar perhaps 
to that of a balloon on a calm day. 
A centripetal impulse ari:^ing there¬ 
fore from the pressure of the suhstra- 
tuni, or subtle medium filling all space, 
inclines the planetary bodies mechani¬ 
cally towards each other, on their near 
sides, by a very slight and finely dimi¬ 
nished force; which is counteracted by 
a centrifugal force, created by a rotative 
motion; wbich again is itself a conse- 
qlienee of a nicely adjusted arrangement 
of the integral parts of the masses with 
respect to densiiy and tluidity. 
The re^^ult of the combined forces is a 
progressive motion of all the systems of 
bodies rnmui their common centres of 
motion, such as w'e observe in the solar 
jvstein, and such as doubtless exists in 
every system in the universe, whether of 
separate bodies — of planet and satellites 
—of suns, comets, and planets — of suns 
amongst themselves — or of systems of 
suns in regard to each other. 
I shall not pretend to pursue ray prin. 
ciples into ail iheir evident applications 
to facts, and to the varied phenomena of 
rature. One is, however, at ohee struck 
with the circumstance of the parallelism, 
and uniform direction of the visible 
pai ts in Jupiter, as according with tiie 
coincidence of the planes of his orbit 
and equatoTi One is also struck witii 
the usefulness of the oblique coasts oT 
Africa and America, in receiving with¬ 
out destroying the force of the oscilla¬ 
tions of the southern ocean. One per¬ 
ceives too, that the shape of ail the 
southern continents arises from the 
action of the waters in the southern 
hemisphere; one feels also in their gra¬ 
dual diminution end increasing fibli- 
quit}', the cause of the gradual dimi* 
nutiun of the obliquity of the ecliptic. 
One perceives the harmony of that 
contrivance which locks in ice 30 
degrees of that ocean, at a time when 
the northern hemisphere calls for tl:^ 
genial presence of the sun. One is led 
to imagine also, that in the fluid which 
fills all space, one discovers tiie basis of 
those principles called, Electricity, Oxy¬ 
gen, Heat, Light, and Magiietism, which 
present such interesting phenomena, 
and which seem to be as necessary 
to the analogous existence and visible 
appearance of the sun, comets, and 
planetary bodies, as they are to the 
comfort and well-being of the finite 
creatures that inhabit our earth. 
This theory then illustrates and ex¬ 
plains all the ascertained phenomena, 
without the absurdity of an attracting 
detached eniuvium. It accords wirli 
all the ascertained laws of matter and 
motion, as established by experiment ami 
observation by Kepler, Descartes, and 
Newton. Like every thing besides in 
nature, it is simple, and is easy of com¬ 
prehension, involving nothing complex,, 
occult, or anomalous. Its foundation is 
the essential and acknowledged ubiquity 
and perfection of the Deity; its agency 
is a medium, or substratum of nuttier, 
necessarily co-existent with space and 
creation ; acting by laws common to all 
fluid mediums when divested of lo¬ 
cal influence ; and necessarily producing 
effects, which we witness every moment 
in the wonders that surround us, and 
tliat inspire us with so much just rapture 
and devotion. 
Common Sense, 
August 31, 1311. 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
To Mr. Saint, o/'Norwich, 
SIR, 
AM sorry to find my prediction is 
verified, “ that by running i/owr head 
against mine, you would injure yowr’r.” 
ucked 
