Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

OF MATTER, MIND, AND SriRIT. 367the intervention of an iuipuntlerable mutter, without whieh the plienomcnaof cleetricity would be inexplicable. This repugnance to the admissionof an imponderable electrical cause, has been the more remarkable, ashisresearches have not only proved the existence of prodigious electricalpower in metals, but likewise that it is evolved during eheuiico-electricreaction, in ec^uivalent proportion to the quantity of ponderable matter decomposedor combined.1784. According to his researches, a grain of water, by electrolytic reactionwith four grains of zinc, evolves as much electricity as wouldcharge fifteen millions of square feet of coated glass when supplied by a platemachine of lifty inches in diameter. But in addition to the proofs of theexistence of electrical powers in metals thus furnished, it is demonstratedthat this power must be inseparably associated with metals, by the wellknownfact that in the electro-magnetic machine—an apparatus which weowe to his genius, and the mechanical ingenuity of Pixii and Saxton—coil of wire, being subjected to the inductive influence of a magnet, iscapable of furnishing, within the circuit which it forms, all the phenomenaof an electrical current,whether of ignition, shock, or electrolysis.1785. The existence in metals of an enormous calorific power must beevident from the heat evolved by mere hammering.It is well known thatby a skilful application of the hammer, a piece of iron, between it and acold anvil, may be ignited. To what other cause than their inherentcalorific power can the ignition of metals by the discharge of a Leydenbattery be ascribed ?178G. It follows, that the existence of an immense calorific and electricalpower is undeniable. The materiality of these powers, or of their cause,is all that has been questionable. But, according to the speculations ofFarraday, all the powers of matter are material ; not only the calorific andelectrical powers are thus to be considered, but likewise the powers ofcohesion, chemical affinity, inertia, and gravitation, while of all these materialpowers only the latter can he ponderable !1787. Thus, a disinclination on the part of this distinguished investigatorto admit the existence of one or two imponderable principles, has led himinto speculations involving the existence of a much greater number.if,Butwhile the rest of the properties of the metal are represented by Newtonianatoms, the calorific and electrical powers be both material and imponderable,and of these such enormous quantities exist inpotassium, as wellas in zinc and all other metals, so much of the reasoning in question as isfounded on the vacuity of the space between the metallic atoms is groundless.1788. Although the space occupied by the hydrated oxide of potassiumcomprises 2800 ponderable atoms, while that occupied by an equalmass of the metal comprises only 430, there may be in the latter proportionallyas much more of the material, though imponderable, powers of heatand electricity, as there is less of matter endowed with ponderability.