Considering matter, therefore, as one and the same as constituting a class, there must exist of it at least two subordinate orders, viz. that consisting of particles of some magnitude or Spheres, and that consisting of particles of extreme minuteness, and which are still spherical, but which, relatively to the former, may be termed Points.Two such orders must exist, because, on one hand, without some difference, individual bodies could not be characterized; and, on the other, it is unphilosophical to suppose more than two such orders, because from these, every distinction in nature may arise.

For, supposing these two states of matter to constitute oxygen and hydrogen, such a distinction as that I have pointed out, will account for their most remarkable qualities, and the most remarkable of the phenomena which result from them.

Thus, as equal bulks of these two fluids have different weights, exactly so will equal bulks of larger and smaller spherical particles; for, as a large sphere contains more matter within a given portion of superficies than a small one, the bulk

of smaller particles will contain a greater portion of superficies, and consequently more of vacuum between the particles, than an equal bulk of larger ones; and that bulk which contains most of vacuum and least of solid matter, must obviously be lightest. Thus, a given bulk of smaller spheres, is lighter than an equal bulk of greater ones. Nor is it to hydrogen and oxygen alone, that this reason is applicable: all lighter bodies of the simplest kind, must consist of minuter particles; for that levity which arises from a peculiar arrangement of these particles, can exist only in the more complex substances.

But it is not alone with regard to levity, that minuter particles evidence the same phenomena with hydrogen, and larger ones the same with oxygen. Hydrogen is susceptible of inflammation. This certainly consists in motion of the minute particles of matter. Now, the minuter the particles, the more susceptible are they of motion, and, therefore, of inflammation; and, hence hydrogen, consisting of the minutest particles, is most susceptible of inflammation.

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Considering, then, this minuteness and magnitude as affording the orders of character in matter, it must now be obvious that the various arrangement of these particles must produce the genera and species.

Numerous phenomena also lead to the conclu sion, that the degrees of the separation of the particles of matter constitute the states of solidity, liquidity and fluidity.

The capabilities of matter are thus truly wonderful; and, on these very simple principles, their whole extent is easily foreseen. Thus, the different magnitude of its elementary particles, gives origin to two simple substances-oxygen and hydrogen for instance; their various arrangements and various combinations produce the more complex bodies; and the actual contact, or the degree of the separation, of the particles causes, either in simple or complex bodies, the states of solidity, liquidity and fluidity. If the particles be in actual contact, they will move together and form a solid; if slightly separate, they will glide on each other and form a liquid; and if altogether

detached, they will become buoyant and constitute an aeriform fluid.

That all this is accurately the case, I do not pretend. But the reasonings here entered into, point out at least the very simple means by which nature may have operated the vast variety of things.

Minute as these elements of matter are, their

existence has been rendered obvious to the most common observer by this admirable passage of Lucretius.

Since thus the Muse has sung, in arduous strain, Nought springs from nought, nor sinks to nought again, Lest thou, distrustful, deem the strain untrue,

Because primordial seeds elude the view,

Hear the clear proof, and then with me unite
To own that seeds exist, yet shun the sight.
Mark how the whirlwind, with resistless sweep,
Drives the black clouds, and rolls the foamy deep,
Thro' shattered fleets and prostrate forests roars,
And shakes the mountains and the caverned shores.
Unseen, yet felt, thus many a viewless form
Rides in the air, and swells the rapid storm.

That scours heaven, earth, and seas, and far and near
Carries fell havoc in its dread career.

Onward it rolls impetuous as the flow

Of furious torrents swoln with melting snow,

Or spouting cataracts of sudden rain,

Down the steep mountains foaming to the plain:
Thro' cliffs and valleys roars th' increasing flood,
Tears the close shrubs, uproots the stubborn wood,
Rolls ponderous rocks with unresisted sway,
Bursts the strong arches, sweeps the bridge away
With thundering crash, and o'er each yielding mound
Spreads a wide, deep and savage waste around.
Thus wild thro' heaven the whirlwind roars along
Its way so rapid, and its rage so strong;
Where'er it turns its blind infuriate course,

It sweeps the world with swift unbridled force,
Trees, rocks and hills uptears, and bids them fly
In many a whirling vortex thro' the sky.

A more accurate notion, in the next place, of the CAPABILITIES of matter-of its power to assume every form and every colour; cannot be formed than by explaining, according to my apprehension of it, a splendid and philosophical allegory of the religion of the Greeks.

Under the epithet of Proteus, the God of Change, this religion personified the porn xn-the original matter, capable of every form; and supposed, that his daughter Eidothea, the Goddess of Formation (an epithet derived from tideos eď, or according to Eustathius, from eis eidos déer, to rush into form) upon occasion, went in search of