n prove the similarity of various laws
and conditions, we may not be wrong in assuming by analogy the identity
of those laws and conditions.

I have stated my case in this manner in order to convince the
gainsayers, if any such there be, and to banish any doubts or
questionings which may have arisen in your minds. I will now proceed
with some further investigations, full of the most profound interest
and importance.

Doubtless many of the lady-students present are in the habit of
welcoming peaceful evening in with a potent draught of 'the cup which
cheers but not inebriates;' and as men are great flatterers (for
imitation is the greatest flattery), I believe the male portion of my
audience have been known to follow that excellent example. Some perhaps
are in the habit of burning the midnight oil, and keep their eyes open
by means of this fruit of the hermit's pious zeal, endowed by high
omnipotence with the power of hindering sleep;[6] but that practice I
do not advise, as that delicate portion of our system, the nerves,
especially of women, often becomes injured by such stimulating doses.
However, you will have observed (if you do not follow the modern
pernicious fashion of taking tea without sugar) that numerous bubbles
are formed upon the surface of the liquid. After a few moments these
unite into one central mass of bubbles by the force of mutual
attraction.

It appears from considerations which are detailed in works on physical
astronomy, that two particles of matter placed at any sensible distance
apart attract each other with a force directly proportional to the
product of their masses, and inversely proportional to the square of
their distance.

Now, suppose that we have a number of circular masses situated upon a
plane surface, they will attract each other with a force which may be
determined with exactitude; and the greater the masses the greater the
force. We will now apply this to polemical science. The agricultural
settlement is the first stage in the civilization and formation of a
State. How did this arise? First, a single family immigrated to some
uncultivated parts of the country, perhaps accompanied by others, who
formed a little colony. Other settlements were made in other parts of
the land; and thus the country became overspread with these detached and
separate communities. An eminent writer declares that these settlements
can be traced in the beginnings of every race which has made progress;
t