atoms given out by the
luminous body, which conveyed the energy of the one body to the other.
According to the wave theory of light, however, we find that the
transference of energy is accomplished by a wave motion in the Aether,
which is periodic both in time and space, by which wave motion the
energy is transferred from the luminous to the illuminated body. Now
every one is familiar with the effects of magnetism and electricity in
some form or other, and such familiarity teaches that various kinds of
work may be done by electricity. If an electric current be generated and
allowed to flow through any circuit, as the ramifications, for example,
of an electric-tram system, it can readily be seen that by the action of
the current large masses or bodies as trams may be moved. To generate
the current requires the expenditure of energy, and for the tram to be
moved requires the transmission of that energy from the generating
station till it reaches the body to be moved. By what means is such
energy transmitted? because if it disappears at one place and reappears
at another, it must have passed through a medium during the interval. It
has been demonstrated that the medium which conveys the current from
place to place is the Aether, so that as light is transmitted through
space by the Aether, in a similar manner electric currents are
transmitted through space also by the same medium. The discoverer of
this great truth was Clerk Maxwell, and it was from the consideration of
electro-magnetic phenomena that he was able to lay the foundation of
that theory known as the Electro-Magnetic Theory of Light. In paragraph
781 of his greatest work[21] he says: "In several parts of this treatise
an attempt has been made to explain electro-magnetic phenomena by means
of mechanical action from one body to another by means of a medium
occupying space between them. The undulatory theory of light also
assumes the existence of a medium. We have now to show that the
properties of the electro-magnetic medium are identical with those of
the luminiferous medium." He then points out that, "to fill all space
with a new medium, whenever any new phenomenon is to be explained, is by
no means philosophical"; and further adds, that "If it should be found
that the velocity of propagation of electro-magnetic disturbances is the
same as the velocity of light, and this not only in air, but in other
transparent media, we shall have strong reasons for believing th