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

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AprENDix. 437The view now stated <strong>of</strong> tlio eonsfitutioii <strong>of</strong> matter would fjccm to involvenecessarily <strong>the</strong> eonelusiou that matter fill.s all space, or, at least, allspace to which gravitation extends, ^including <strong>the</strong> sun and its system,) foru;ravitation is a property <strong>of</strong> matter dependent on a certain forc(!, and it isthis force which constitutes <strong>the</strong> matter. In that view matter is not merelymutually penetrable, but each atom extends, so to say, throughout <strong>the</strong>whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> solar system, yet always retaining its own centre <strong>of</strong> force.This, at first sight, seems to fall in very harmoniously with Massotti's ma<strong>the</strong>matical<strong>investigation</strong>s and reference <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> phenomena <strong>of</strong> electricity,cohesion, gravitation, etc. to one force in matter, and also again with <strong>the</strong>old adage "matter cannot act where it is not." But it is no part <strong>of</strong> myintention to enter into such considerations as <strong>the</strong>se, or what <strong>the</strong> bearings<strong>of</strong> this hypo<strong>the</strong>sis would be on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> light and <strong>the</strong> supposed e<strong>the</strong>r.My desire has been ra<strong>the</strong>r to bring certain facts from electrical conductionand chemical combination to bear strongly upon our views regarding <strong>the</strong>nature <strong>of</strong> atoms and matter, and so to assist in distinguishing in naturalphilosophy our real knowledge i. e. <strong>the</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> facts and laws—fromthat, which, though it has <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> knowledge, may, from its includingso much that is mere assumption, be <strong>the</strong> very reverse.It is to be regretted that <strong>the</strong> memoir <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rev. Mr. Whewell couldnot be quoted, being long and obscure.been stated fairly, (1796.)Ilis opinions, it is conceived, haveMotives for repuhlishing my Memoirs on ElectricalTheory.The principal motive, without which <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r motives would not haveprevailed, is, that having had an interview with <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> <strong>of</strong> Franklin expresslyto have his advice, it was given decidedly in favour <strong>of</strong> publication.There is no door in <strong>the</strong> temple <strong>of</strong> science which is so easy <strong>of</strong> access asthat which leads to <strong>the</strong> department <strong>of</strong> electricity. The illustrations usuallygiven at a popular lecture may, at <strong>the</strong> same time, amuse an infant, instructa student, and yet perplex a pr<strong>of</strong>ound philosopher. As associated with<strong>the</strong> phenomena <strong>of</strong> thunder and lightning, at one time attributed to <strong>the</strong>bolt <strong>of</strong> omnipotent Jove, no consequences <strong>of</strong> scientific research are soawful and sublime : coupled with <strong>the</strong> magnetic electric telegraph, no o<strong>the</strong>rresult so miraculous. While vis inertias would keep all nature in statuquOj whe<strong>the</strong>r at rest, or like our planet in motion with a velocity fiftytimes as great as that <strong>of</strong> a cannon ball : while gravitation tends like <strong>the</strong>clock weight to produce a definite action and, pe?' se, never to act againelectricity, with a protean diversity <strong>of</strong> power, appears to be <strong>the</strong> great instrument<strong>of</strong> all those changes by which <strong>the</strong> quiescent influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>properties above mentioned, is modified in <strong>the</strong> mundane sphere <strong>of</strong> chemistryand <strong>of</strong> life.Every tyro is aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wonderful property imparted to electrics byfriction—to <strong>the</strong> tourmaline by heat ; and that <strong>the</strong> same process, on a largescale, will produce sparks, ignition, combustion, deflagration, and destroyanimal life by an instantaneous shock. It is notorious that <strong>the</strong>se won-

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