ed atoms; and
these atoms are represented as different each from each. _Difference_ is
their character--their essentiality--just as _no-difference_ was the
essentiality of their source. When we say, then, that an attempt to
bring any two of these atoms together would induce an effort, on the
part of the repulsive influence, to prevent the contact, we may as well
use the strictly convertible sentence that an attempt to bring together
any two differences will result in a development of electricity. All
existing bodies, of course, are composed of these atoms in proximate
contact, and are therefore to be considered as mere assemblages of more
or fewer differences; and the resistance made by the repulsive spirit,
on bringing together any two such assemblages, would be in the ratio of
the two sums of the differences in each:--an expression which, when
reduced, is equivalent to this:--_The amount of electricity developed on
the approximation of two bodies, is proportional to the difference
between the respective sums of the atoms of which the bodies are
composed._ That _no_ two bodies are absolutely alike, is a simple
corollary from all that has been here said. Electricity, therefore,
existing always, is _developed_ whenever _any_ bodies, but _manifested_
only when bodies of appreciable difference, are brought into
approximation.

To electricity--so, for the present, continuing to call it--we _may_ not
be wrong in referring the various physical appearances of light, heat
and magnetism; but far less shall we be liable to err in attributing to
this strictly spiritual principle the more important phaenomena of
vitality, consciousness and _Thought_. On this topic, however, I need
pause _here_ merely to suggest that these phaenomena, whether observed
generally or in detail, seem to proceed _at least in the ratio of the
heterogeneous_.

Discarding now the two equivocal terms, "gravitation" and "electricity,"
let us adopt the more definite expressions, "_attraction_" and
"_repulsion_." The former is the body; the latter the soul: the one is
the material; the other the spiritual, principle of the Universe. _No
other principles exist._ _All_ phaenomena are referable to one, or to the
other, or to both combined. So rigorously is this the case--so thoroughly
demonstrable is it that attraction and repulsion are the _sole_
properties through which we perceive the Universe--in other words, by
which Matter is manifested to Mind--that, for