LESEDR
The System of the Universe,

Q

173

L62

XESEUR'S

PHILOSOPHY:

UN VERSE

THE SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE,

NEW SYSTEM

CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY,

CONTAINING A COMPLETE EXPLANATION AND CLASSIFICATION OP

UNIVERSAL SCIENCE, FOUNDED UPON UNCHANGEABLE

LAWS AND EMBRACING WITHIN ITS FORMULAE

EVERY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN INQUIRY.

CORRECTED FROM THE ORIGINAL DISCOVERY,

MADE BY

FRANCIS LESETTR, IN 1831.

PUBLISHED FOR SUBSCRIBERS.

HARTFORD.

Printed by J, Gaylord Wells, 184 1-8 Main Street.
1843.

ENTERED according to Act of Congress; in the year 1840, by

FRANCIS LESEUR,
in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Connecticut.

3UIVJ -

bANTA BARBAKA
THE SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE,

1st SOURCE OF ACTION.

DIVINITY.

1st. 2d. 8d.

1. CREATOR. 2. MEDIATOR. 3. RELATIVE POWER.

2d SOURCE OF ACTION.

MIND.

1st. 2d. 3d.

4. INTELLECTUAL. 5. MORAL. 6. SENSITIVE POWERS.

7. 1. Intuition. I 10. 1. Duty to God. I 13. 1. Love and hatred.

8. 2. Reason. 11. 2. " our fellow being. 14. 2. Joy and sorrow.

9. 2. Imagination. | 12. 3. " to ourself. J 15. 2. Fear and courage.

:«; Connected with matterby

;&• hearing, seeing and feeling

— I sound, color, form.

3d SOURCE OF ACTION.

NATURE.*

1st. 2d. 3d.

16, ORGANIZATION. 17. CALORIFIC MOTION. 18. MATTER,

19. 1- Animal. I 22. 1. Combustion. I 25. Solid.

20. 2. Vegetable. 23. 2. Electricity. 26. Liquid.

21. 3. Mineral. | 24. 3. Magnetism. | 27. Aeriform.

The above is the complete order of the universal Triune, or circle.

The following is a continuation of the subdivisions in the third Source of action, or
material circle, beginning with the highest state of organization. This being the first sub-
division under the organic circle.

ZOOLOGICAL CIRCLE, OR ANIMAL KINGDOM.

HUMAN RACE. LOWER VERTEBRATA. INVERTEBRATA.

1. Caucasian. I 1. Quadrupeds. I 1. Annulosa.

2. Mongolean. 2. Birds. I 2. Radiata

3. African. | 3. Fishes. | 3. Mollusca.

'All changes in nature are produced by motion —there are three kinds of motion, 1st,
calorific or primary, produced by relation of element*. 2d , relative or mechanical, pro-
duced by contact of bodies. 3d, Organic motien.

PREFACE.

IN presenting this volume to the public, nothing need be said
more than to mention the object of its publication.

Ten years have now passed away, since the System of the
universe was discovered ; at the commencement of this period, a
small and imperfect explanation was published, with a promise to
give a full exposition of the theory, as soon as practicable. But
unfavorable circumstances soon followed, which prevented all
further publication.

The object of the present work is to give a complete explana-
tion of the primary principles of this System, and to show the ap-
plication of it to the more practical and useful branches of science,
in relation to the advancement of human knowledge, as well as
to the higher investigations of all science in connection, as dis-
played in the perfect laws of the Creator, developing one great
system of universal order and harmony.

HARTFORD, January, 1840.

The synopsis on the third page gives an analytic view of the
first great divisions of science, and will be fully explained, together
with a more extended analysis, in the following work.

"FOR THE INVISIBLE THINGS OF HIM FROM THE CREATION 'OF THE
WORLD ARE CLEARLY SEEN; BEING UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS
THAT ARE MADE, EVEN HIS ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD."—
ROMANS, I. 20.

" In primis, hominis est propria veri inquisitio atque investigate. Itaque cum sumus
negotiis necessariis, cuvisque vacui, turn avemus aliquid videre, audire, ac dicere, cogni-
tionemque rerum, nut occultarum aut admirabillhini. ad bene beateque vivendum necrs-
sariam ducimus ; — ex quo intelligitur, quod veruin, simplex, sincerumque sit, id esse nature;
hominis aptissimum. Huic veri videndi cupidiialis adjuncta cst appelitio queedam
principatus, ut nemini parere animus bene a natura informntus velit, nisi preecipienti,
aut docenti, aut utilitatis causa juste et legitime impranti : ex quo animi magnitude esistit,
et humanarum rerum contemtio." — Cicero, de officiis Lib 1. $ 13.

Before all other things, man is distinguished by his pursuit and investigation of truth .
And hence, when free from needful business and cares, we delight to see, to hear, and to
communicate, and consider a knowledge of many admirable and abstruse things necessary
to the good conduct and happiness of our lives : whence itis clear that whatsoever is true,
simple, and direct, the same is most congenial to our nature as men. Closely allied with
this earnest longing to see and know the truth, is a kind of dignified and princely senti-
ment which forbids a mind naturally well constituted to submit its faculties to 'any but
those who announce it in preceptor in doctrine, or to yield obedience to any orders but
such as are at once just, lawful, and founded on utility. From this source springs great-
ness of mind and contempt of worldly advantages and troubles.

P A NTONOMY,

GENERAL REMARKS.

THERE is a difference between the effects of local and general
knowledge, and there is a wide difference between that isolated
knowledge of facts, or arts, which the world calls practical,
and those universal principles of science upon which all art
as well as knowledge must depend for its correctness. Aided by
the advantages of the former, it isin this'latter sense that knowledge
becomes the true source of progressive improvement and happi-
ness, and lays a permanent foundation for moral and religious
truth on the firm basis of the physical and exact sciences.

Wherever an increase of this knowledge is introduced, its en-
livening influence upon the character and condition of society is
no less certain than that of the rising sun upon material creation.
At the approach of the latter, animal and vegetable nature seem
to expand with additional life and activity ; they not only feel his
direct power, but they become expanded with capacity to receive
additional nourishment from the surrounding earth and atmos-
phere, and the influence also extends far beyond the objects imme-
diately affected, for they become relatives by which other objects
are energised, the reflected rays are thrown out in all directions
from object to object and even far into the shade, so that all things
reciprocate the general influence; the proper materials of life are
transfused throughout material organization — music is heard in
the grove — beauty and incense come forth from the unfolding
flower ; all the variety of colors are displayed and even the cold
mineral shines with a dazzling lustre. And thus it is with the
mind at the approach of science, for its influence cannot be con-
fined— it will impart an invigorating power to all within its reach,

the faculties of the mind become expanded, capable of receiving
additional happiness — each individual becomes the source of
happiness to those around — the rays of truth are reflected from
mind to mind until a gradual change is wrodght in the intellectual,
moral and physical condition of the community — superior order
and taste appear in the external character and refinement, benevo-
lence and happiness shine from within.

Scientific truth, where it has not been suppressed, has ever
proved a powerful aid to the precepts of Christianity, and it is
these combined truths which have been the primary source of all
those high blessings which distinguish civilized man from the
heathen world. If the word of God is " a lamp to our feet and a
light to our paths," it is the knowledge of science which is to ex-
tend the mental vision until we are enabled to behold the light in
all its beauty and splendor. It is science which has enlarged our
capacity for making use of the divine precept, and of extending
its influence throughout the world, reason and faith are here uni-
ted. " The tree of knowledge is grafted upon the tree of life,
and that fruit which brought the fear of death into the world, bud-
ding on an immortal stock becomes the fruit of the promise of
immortality."

The term Philosopher is formed by the connection of two Greek
words, and signified, originally, a lover of learning or a lover of
knowledge. It comes down to us from the earliest ages of Gre-
cian history, and it would be difficult to determine who first claim-
ed the name, or who first deserved it. The name Philosophy was
originally applied to the writings or instructions of those who
observed and studied the operations and general laws of nature,
compared the principles thus obtained with the few facts they
could collect from their limited knowledge and handed the
result of their investigations down to posterity. While the art
of printing was unknown, they had no other way of communica-
ting their knowledge to others, to any extent, than by establish-
ing schools, hence the various schools of Philosophy among the
ancients, many of which existed many years before the Christian
era. Plato, Aristotle, Democratus, Epicurus and Zeno were all
distinguished as teachers of their own peculiar doctrines ; but

» I

they seem to have labored under the same difficulties with most
of their successors. They wanted an unchangeable and univer
sal law of science, on which to predicate their doctrines, and which
might guide them in all their researches. This difficulty has
existed in all ages. We see men of genius taking up detached
branches of science and examining them according to their own
practical observations, or the observations of others, without
regard to the relations which one subject of science bears to
another in the great scale of human knowledge. While others of
more general observation but equally unsuccesssful, are wan-
dering about in the dark in the great field of science, until they
are lost and bewildered by their own speculation, like the marine*
who would attempt to navigate a vast and unkown ocean with-
out a chart, a compass or a pilot.

It would be foreign to the present subject to enter upon an ex-
amination of the merits of any writings, either ancient or mod-
ern ; but it may, however, be remarked, that a large amount of
prejudice has existed in conscientious minds, both in this country
and Europe, against works professedly philosophical, and for
this they have had very good reasons : for many who have pre-
tended to write on the subject have run into such extremes of
Skepticism, Idealism and Materialism, as to give a direct tendency
to infidelity. This fact, however, forms no objection to a correct
system ; but on the contrary shows the necessity of one that will
explain those laws which are the foundation of all philosophical
truth, and without a general knowledge of which, we may expect
always to be troubled with false theories. Religion has had its
false teachers in almost every age since the commencement of
Christianity ; yet there is but one true code of Christian laws ;
and is it not probable that there is but one true system of Philoso-
phy?

2

1U

EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

In entering upon an explanation of the present system, the au-
thor is fully aware of the difficulty arising from the use of terms
which are not definitely understood. But as the name of a
thing does not constitute its quality, so it must be remembered that
the name of a branch of science does not explain it, and it is
deemed sufficient for the present purpose, without adopting a
special nomenclature, to use such terms as are best understood
according to common acceptation, and in so doing some repetition
must necessarily occur.

There are few words in our language that have been used in
a more general and unlimited sense than the term science. Con-
sidering its Latin derivation it seems nearly synonymous with
knowledge, while modem usage has confounded it in many in-
stances with the meaning of the word art. An individual highly
distingished for his learning, and known in this country as a man
of science, while lecturing on natural philosophy a few years
ago, gave the following definition : " science may be considered
as an art or the result of an art."

Another has lately said, while lecturing, " science is knowledge
reduced to order."

Herschel, the great European philosopher, says," science is the
knowledge of many, orderly and methodically digested so as to
become attainable by one.

Bacon says, " science is being awake." Now from all this ex-
planation we have no correct idea of what is meant by science.

The term as used in the present system may be explained as
follows :

It stands here to represent all the different departments of hu-
man inquiry into which the laws of the universe are divided, each
division forming a necessary part of the great whole — the laws
of analysis — of division and subdivision which run throughout,
define the relations which each part bears to all the others,
and brings all branches of science into one great system of order

11

*nd subordination of parts. From this consideration we perceive
that science includes all the laws of the universe collectively, and
those of each branch separately. As the Creator has thus placed
all things in certain relations to each other, the true character of
these relations must depend on the situation of each part in re-
gard to the whole, as well as in regard to each particular part
more immediately associated with it. In our systematic^ vesti-
gations, we must therefore follow the true law of classification,
(and not an artificial arrangement,) and, accordingly, it is evident
that science, in its most extensive sense,is the law of the universe.
This is its definition. Law is a rule of action or arrangement.
What is the universe ? Under this term we include all that we
know or are capable of knowing — all that we perceive or are
capable of perceiving, while in the present state of existence.
Should this world stand for millions of ages to come, the laws of
science once known would remain unalterably the same, and
that system which arranges and classifies them, if it be a true
one, must remain the same that it now is. It is true, man may
invent by applying any of those known principles to any new,
useful, or amusing purposes of life, thus instituting new arts, and
the knowledge of such a system must, in this respect, be of great
service to him by pointing out new arrangement in the laboratories
of nature which he might not have thought of without it.

We have now explained what, to us finite beings, is the uni-
verse, although to beings of higher intelligence it may be but a
part, and to God it may be but an infinitely small part, yet to man,
in his present state of existence, it must ever be the whole uni-
verse.

The numbers 1, 2, 3, as used in the synopsis, indicate the pri-
mary divisions of science, or any one of the branches or sub-
branches.

The word nature is perhaps used in a different sense here
from what we have been accustomed to see it in other works.
By referring to the general synopsis, it will be found to include
under it all the laws of the^material world, and nothing more

13

than these ; and although we may have been accustomed to
•peak of the nature of the mind, and the nature of the divine
attributes, this term has been selected as the least objectionable.

The term organization is placed over the three kingdoms of
nature, the animal, vegetable, and mineral, and includes, as this
system requires, all the laws belonging to them under one head.
Although this term has been applied exclusively to the two form~
er, while the mineral kingdom 'has been termed inorganic, there
is good reason, as will be hereafter shown, for designating them
all under one general name, applying to all bodies gradually
assuming peculiar forms under distinct laws. Vegetable forma-
tions differ quite as much from animal formations as those of the
mineral kingdom do from vegetation. The earth, independent
of animal and vegetable matter, is as truly an organism as the
human body, and yet the atmosphere, water, and earthy substan-
ces, of which it is composed, are all mineral.

By the term, calorific motion, as used in the synopsis, is not
meant any one of the sensible properties of fire, such as heat or
light, but the primary cause of them all.*

By the analytic process is meant the dividing and sub-dividing
of a whole into its various parts or ultimate elements.

By the synthetic process, we take the reverse sequence, re-uni-
ting the parts in their order till we have formed them into one.
In every perfect organism, or system, there is a law of relation and
subordination of parts running throughout, which we must follow
analytically or synthetically, if we would understand the system.

Now, it is evident that without this process any one may form
imaginary divisions, and from them an imaginary or artificial
classification, applying to any known branch of science, such, for
instance, as the animal kingdom, or a class of vegetable forms ;
and he may even found his arrangements upon some supposed or
real resemblances. A great many such attempts have been

"The divisions of motion are organic, mechanical, and calorific — calorific motion
will be divided into combustion, electricity, and magnetism — and combustion into beat
light, and chemical rays — electricity into positive, negative, and neutral force, which,
under the name of magnetism, becomes centripetal, centrifugal and tangental motion.

IS

^

made, and artificial classifications have been formed, many of
which have been laid aside as soon as formed, giving place to
others equally visionary and short lived. But it should be re-
membered that even artificial systems when founded on real re-
semblances and relations, like those of Linnaeus, have had their
advantages, and have often brought to light new relations and
new facts, which were unknown before ; and thus having an-
swered their purposes they have passed away, leaving, perhaps,
little to be remembered of ihem in after times, except the praise-
worthy exertions of their immortal authors.

It is not necessary here to enter upon a consideration of the
various attempts at systematizing. There has always been a
tendency in philosophic minds to generalize the laws of nature,
and to render more intelligible those abstruse principles which
have proved uninteresting to the ordinary student. But all the
systems which have been attempted, seem to be more or less local
or artificial, extending, in general, only to a few branches of nat-
ural science ; or if, as in some few instances, a wider range has
been taken, the obscurity in which they have been involved,
seems to increase in proportion to the extent of survey.

Among those whose minds have been employed on this sub-
ject, stand conspicuous, the names of Linnaeus, Lister, Willough-
by, Ray, Lamark, Latreille and Cuvier. The labors of these
great naturalists were confined almost exclusively to a few branch-
es of natural science included in the animal and vegetable king-
doms, yet they shed additional light over the whole field of na-
ture, while, perhaps, neither of them thought his classification
would remain long unchanged. Even Linnaeus, whose writings
have been more highly approved, and circulated farther than
those of any other naturalist, left us nothing more than an artifi-
cial classification, and no one ever felt more the deficiency of his
system than himself; for, while he acknowledges this, he invites
Philosophers engaged in botany, every where, to make common
interest with him in seeking for a natural system, by which he
undoubtedly meant a system founded upon fixed laws, and re-
maining unchangeable in all its arrangements.

14

How far this spirit of systematic inquiry has prevailed among
those engaged in other departments of science may be inferred
from the fact that it has been carried into the more hidden reces-
ses of nature, bringing to light chemical relations, and laws of
definite proportions which were before unknown. Of this, we
have ample proofs in the discoveries of Wollasten, Dalton, Rit-
ter, Herschel, Bechman and Davy. But, unfortunately for the
world, systematic inquiry has- not only been deficient, but it has
been confined almost exclusively to natural Philosophy, leaving
moral and intellectual science unimproved by its aid. Are not
our physical improvements far in advance of our mental resour-
ces ? Where are our rail-roads to moral and intellectual knowl-
edge? Why should not all our institutions of learning — all our
schools be raised to higher standard by a new impress from the
advantages afforded by additional knowledge of the laws of sci-
ence ? The laws of moral and divine science are no less certain
and definite than those of the material world. What has already
been shown to be true in this respect, in relation to the things of
visible creation, are also true of the invisible powers of mind.
There is a true system of all things ; and the writer would ask
indulgence while he adds a few extracts to the present digress-
ion from the main subject, to show that such a system, as is here
proposed, is not inconsistent with the hopes indulged by well-
known authors.

Herschel, in his discourse on natural history, says :
" It can hardly be pressed forcibly enough on the attention of
the student of nature, that there is scarcely any natural phenom-
ena which can be fully and completely explained in all its circum-
stances without a union of several, perhaps all the sciences."
De Candolle, in his introduction to botany, says :
" It ought to be most zealously inculcated, that the application
of this science should only be taught or learned after a previous
study of general principles," thus making a knowledge of general
laws necessary to a right understanding of local and practical
science.

15

Mrs. Somerville, in her work on the material sciences, says :

" Perhaps the day may come when even gravitation, no longer
regarded as an ultimate principle, may be resolved into a yet
more general cause, embracing every law that regulates the mate-
rial world."

And again, speaking of discoveries, she says :

" The experiments made on light, heat, electricity and mag-
netism, show an occult relation between all these agents, which
probably will one day be revealed, and in the mean time it opens
a noble field of experimental research to Philosophers of the
present, perhaps future ages."

Wiseman says, in his work on Philosophy :

" Were it given unto us to contemplate God's works in the vis-
ible and in the moral world, not as we now see them in shreds
and fragments, but as woven together into the great web of uni-
versal harmony ; could our minds take in each part thereof with
its general and particular connections, relations, and appliances,
there can be no doubt but religion as established by Him, would
appear to enter and fit so completely and so necessarily into the
great plan as that all would be unraveled and destroyed if by any
means it should be withdrawn."

ANALYTIC VIEW OF THE SYSTEM OF THE UNI-
VERSE, EXPLAINING THE SYNOPSIS — PAGE 3*

By referring to page third, we find all things united under one
great head, the Deity. He is all in all ; and from this Source,
we begin to classify, descending analytically to the most distant
and subordinate parts, according to the theory of division and

•I cannot hope to give every one a correct idea of this important subject, by merely
reading it over once,ibr we have here associated together subjects which, perhaps, have
been by many always considered as entiiely distinct : perhaps it requires too great exer-
tion of the mind, at first, to transfer itself from the Divine to the mental world ; and then
again from the spiritual and invisible powers of mind down to the tangible things of ma-
terial creation. But if we would understand science, we must accustom ourselves to this
wide range of thought ; we must see the little and the great, if we would bear even a
faint resemblance to Him who sees all things in their true relations, and Who, while Ho
directs worlds and systems of worlds in their course, permits not a sparrow to fall to the
ground without His notice

16

sub-division. The three first great divisions, whose union consti-
tute what may be called the universal circle, are, 1st, Divinity ;
2d, Mind ; 3d, Nature. These stand in the order one above the
other, indicating different degrees of importance attached to the
subjects to which they relate ; the second being as far below the
first, as the third is below the second ; and they may be consid-
ered as three distinct worlds, connected by laws of analogy and
relation. It will be observed, Jiowever, that religion is included
as a relative branch between the first and second, and mathemat-
ics between the second and third.

In the first of those great divisions, the Deity is the source of
action j in the second, thought, or intelligence, is the source of
action ; in the third, calorific motion is the source of action . In
mentioning these sources, it must be remembered that Deity is
the primary source of all actions resulting from the laws of sci-
ence, (sin being merely an unsuccessful attempt to evade these
laws j and thus moral evil being the result of such attempts can
not be chargable in any way to the Deity as a cause of its exist-
ence.)

According to the order here established, the first subject of
science to be considered is that which relates directly to divinity.
This department is called theology, and includes all that we know
of God, of his relation to us or to the material world, either by
divine revelation, by natural religion, or by the indications of
design in the works of creation and providence.

The second department belongs to mind or human intelligence,
and includes the laws by which the minds of all created intelli-
gent beings are governed. This department is called mental
science, or psychology, but in accordance with the present sys-
tem it should be called psychonomy.

The third department belongs to nature and includes all the
laws of the material world. It may be called material science
or physiconomy.

In the theological department, the first of the triune relations,
refers to the Creator, the second to the Mediator or Son, the third
to that power which stands in immediate relation to the mind of

rr

man ; i. e., the power or -holy spirit by which the mind may hold
communion with the divine world, having access through this
power to the mediator, and through him to the Father or Creator,
thus the divine trinity may be explained by reference to these
three degrees of relation to the mind of man, which are united
in one God.

The sub-divisions of the mental department are, 1st, the intel-
lectual, 2d, the moral, 3d, the sensitive powers of the mind of
man, each of which forms a sub-branch of science, yet they are
united, three in one, constituting the mind. The sensitive pow-
ers are nearest to the material world, and are the medium through
which the higher powers hold communion with nature. These
three degrees in the human mind, and the order of its relation to
matter, are a resemblance of the divine trinity and its relation to
the human mind. " God created man in his own image."

The department including the material or natural sciences is
sub-divided into organization, motion, and matter ; these primary
properties of nature are also united in one, and cannot be sepera-
ted without destroying the laws of the material world.

None of the sub-divisions here enumerated can be explained
separately, although we must, in order to understand science,
direct our attention to each one of them so far as to make it a
leading object of study, considering the laws of its internal parts,
as well as those by which it is related to other divisions, forming
with it larger branches. This must be understood in regard to
all branches of science, whether large or small — whether they
have been divided into few or many parts — they are all related,
and if the divisions are in accordance with this system, there will
be no difficulty in seeing their true relations ; and thus it is clear
that no one science can be properly understood without some gen-
eral knowledge of the whole range.

It will be seen, by looking to the synopsis, that religion stands
between the mental and divine departments, and it was called in
my first publication a relative science, to distinguish it from those
branches which were called sub-divisions of principal branches.

It is the true Divino-Mental Science, and its place clearly de-
fined, whether it be called a relative or compound science.

18

Its first sub-divisions have reference to the three states which
are connected with the great principles of moral and religious
duty, as recognized by the mind. The first is the heavenly or
divine state ; the second is the earthly or probationary state ; the
third and the lowest extreme, is the state of woe — where the
consequences of sin are to be suffered.

Mathematics also stands between mind and nature, and might
be called the mento-physical science. Its elementary principles
are, addition, deduction, and division. It is the medium by which
the mind takes cognizance of the relative and true proportions,
properties, arrangement and powers of all material things ; apply-
ing it also to the arrangement and analysis of its own powers ;
thus it applies to mind and matter. It furnishes us with the only
real test of truth in regard to the material world, while true reli-
gion furnishes a test of truth in regard to things pertaining to the
divine world.

The entire foundation of mathematical science rests on the
simple principles of addition5 deduction, and division. The
most abstruse branch, even, the Deferential Calculus of Newton,
contains nothing more than the application of them under more
complicated arrangements. We have no idea of addition with-
out deduction, nor of deduction without addition, nor of division
without both. This same law is represented by the primary di-
visions of time. We have no idea of the future without the past,
nor of the past without the present and future.

Having shown the first sub-divisions under the three original
departments, or principal sciences, we have nine leading branch-
es and two compound branches, the divino-inental and mento-
physical. Now, all the different subjects of inquiry which the
mind of man can reach are included within these ; being com-
binations or applications of the true principles contained under
them. All minor branches being- divisions from them as they
are from the first three.

I have now explained the universal circle of divinity, mind and
nature, as far as the first degree of analysis, and from this we
may proceed downward by the same process of division and sub-

19

division, leaving each superior branch of the last circle, when we
have divided as far as the subject may require, and proceeding to
the lower, or next in order, and thus continuing to the most re-
mote parts — to simple and individual elements ; the classifica-
tion is the same, however far it is carried — all branches are con-
nected, each occupying its own proper place.

From the preceding general view of the subject it will be seen,
firstly, that this system does not require, as some have supposed,
that every thing should be divided into three parts. But it
seems to prove that the mathematical arrangement here propos-
ed, furnishes the only correct formulas that will apply to the pri-
mary divisions and classification of universal science. This for-
mulas, requiring that the first divisions in every combination
forming unity in the laws of science, should be made out by ref-
erence to two extremes and a medium as the only correct data for
investigation. In applying this data to the analytic divisions in
the consecutive and proper order, in any succession of beings, or
organisms or parts of an organ, as arranged by the Great Author
of all, one and the same rule is required, viz : the most important,
the most complex, the most perfect branch, (if we may use the
term where every thing is perfect in its place,) constitutes the
first extreme in all cases, and the lowest — the most elementary
— the most simple branch, constitutes the last extreme, while
the intermedium occupies the place between, being as much be-
low the first as it is above the last. Now, each of these contains
its own particular extremes and medium when considered sep-
arately. The process may be compared to that which takes
place in the separated pieces of a magnet, where each piece
assumes the extremes of opposite polarity with an intermediate
neutral space — thus continuing in all respects like the original
large magnet from which they were broken, being divisions
from it.

20

And, 2dly, having shown this uniform subordination of parts
\ve observe that in the true order of creation, the most simple, or
elementary, is the first in order of time, and the most perfect the
last ; this being the synthetic order, is the reverse of that laid
down in the synopsis, page 3d, and is easily explained by turn-
ing to it and casting the eye upon the 3d part under the term
nature, which is the 18th from the beginning — it being headed
matter, and divided into solid, liquid and aeriform. The aeriform
branch being the last, is the most simple in the scale there given
and admits of but one degree more of analysis, by dividing it
into oxygenious, hydrygenous, and etherial elements. These
are the true ultimate elements of matter, by the relations and com-
binations of which all material bodies are composed. These
simple elements constitute the materials of which the sun and
all the planets of the solar system are composed, while they en-
ter into and constitute the materials of the smallest organized
bodies that grow on the earth. These three kinds of matter
operated upon by the three kinds of motion — calorific, mechan-
ical, and organic, produce three kinds of organization, viz : min-
eral, vegetable, and animal, thus constituting the whole material
world.

The process of creation, as stated above, must be traced syn-
thetically to accord with the order of time ; thus we begin with
these simple elements, of the origin of which we have no idea,
except that they are under the dominion of the Creator. Wheth-
er he created them out of nothing, or whether they have ever
existed as the vestments of Him who inhabiteth eternity, belongs
not to the human mind to inquire. Our legitimate inquiry be-
gins with the embrionic formation of the present material world.
The first division is the mineral kingdom. Its formation com-
menced first in order of time. Its 1st synthetic divisions are, 1st.
primary strata ; 2d, transition ; Sd, that which has been called
secondary strata. The next kingdom in order of time is the
vegetable, it had its formation in and grows up out of the min-
eral kingdom, and is inseparably connected with it. Its divisions
**e, 1st, annuals, or plants ; 2d, endogeneous ; 3d, exogeneous

21

trees. The next in order of creation is the animal kingdom,
which has its foundation in the vegetable. Its 1st divisions are
seen in the synopsis, placed in the analytic order.

3dly, these great departments in the organic circle, are distin-
guished from each other, not merely by their outward forms and
properties, but also by their internal structure, as follows:
Minerals are formed by simple geometrical laws of chrystaliza-
tion. Vegetation is formed by the union of the laws of chrys-
talization, with the vegetative principle ; while every .being in the
animal kingdom, unites in itself the laws of chrystalization, veg-
etation, and sensation.

4thly. We have now shown that nature consists of three dis-
tinct kinds of organism, each possessing different degrees of per-
fection, and that each, though complete in itself, is connected
with the others, and each becoming more perfect as we arise in
the scale of material beings ; and as the human race is the high-
est extreme in these organic sciences — the human body being
the most perfect of all material organisms, we might expect that
a still higher principle had its development in it ; and such infer-
ence is correct, for the human mind is a spiritual organism.

5thly. In the true science of Antroponomy, the same arrange-
ment applies. Man is first considered in his material or natural
state. He is first a material organism ; to this is added the men-
tal, life or spirtual, organism ; and lastly, to these two, the divine
life, each successive development depending on the perfectness of
the preceding state ; thus a good and healthy mind depends on
a proper development of the bodily organs, particularly the cere-
bral development ; and thus it follows again that in the divine life
we shall be happy or miserable in proportion to the proper or im-
proper use we make of our mental powers while in the present
state of existence.

6thly. From the preceding considerations we see that man is
not only represented by the three kingdoms of nature, but is him-
self a sub-typical representation of the whole range of panto-
nomic science. This law of representation runs through all
Branches of science.

22

7thly. In all dynamical science the true data consists of cause,
power, and effect. The extremes, cause and effect being known,
the relation between them which is here called power, can be
traced out. By referring to page 3d, it will be seen that calor-
fic motion is the first moving principle in the material world ;
and, therefore, all effects under the laws of nature, however far
they may be removed by chains of intermediate relations, must
have their origin in this cause. Thus every effect in nature ori-
ginates from colroic. Every effect in the mental world, under the
laws of mind, originates from intelligence. Every effect above
these is superhuman arid supernatural — it is from the immediate
intervention of divine power, and, consequently, a miracle.

This theory being established, the process may be carried
either way — from cause to effect or the reverse — cause and
effect depend on time in regard to their natural sequence ; for
an effect becomes a cause when considered in relation to other
effects which result from it, being connected postcedently with
it, and vice versa — a cause becomes an effect when considered
in relation to its proper antecedent. The most common order of
inquiry is from effect to cause. An effect must always be expe-
rienced before there is any idea of a cause ; the cause having op-
erated antecedently, for it is certain that they cannot commence
at the same instant, although they may appear simultaneously ;
thus we may trace back from effect to cause through all their rela-
tions until the inquiry terminates in one of the sources of action
above named.

The connection between cause and effect is called power —
thus power always implies relation, for one thing can never affect
another unless it be in some way connected when associated with
it. Relation implies difference between cause and effect. Dif-
ference implies superiority and inferiority ; the cause being the
superior, or first in time — the effect, the inferior, or last in time.
These being connected by the relative power, constitute the nat-
ural sequence called cause, power, and effect.

All created things are the effect of which the Almighty Creator
is the cause ; and the intelligent act of creating and preserving

23

them in existence, forms the relation between Him and His
works ; and we find that this natural sequence exists throughout
creation — having originated from the first act of Deity in creat-
ing all things, it constitutes the first principles of all dynamical
science.

PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE GRAMMAR
OF SCIENCE.

The analysis given on the third page, does not extend so far as
I intended ; but some further idea of the extent and perfect ar-
rangement of the system will be obtained irom the following re-
view.

Suppose a student who is studying Botany (perhaps he is
counting the stamens of a flower to find its place in the Linnaen
system) should be asked what branch of science he was engag-
ed in, where does it belong ? What are its relations to other
branches of science ? What place does it occupy in the great
field of nature ? or in the still greater field of universal science ?
What is the answer ? Is there any rule in any Philosophy by
which this question can be answered ? By referring to the syn-
opsis, we find it occupies the 2d place, and is the medium branch
in the organic circle, standing between the animal and mineral
departments — the one being the first extreme, and the other the
last — arid it runs imperceptibly, like the colors of the rain-bow,
into both, and is connected indissolubly with them.

This is its foundation — let us trace it to its origin. It is the
2d in the organic circle — the organic is the first in the natural
— and the natural is the 3d in the universal circle, and conse-
quently this branch is the 20th remove from the beginning.

We will now take the science Entomology. This branch ex-
plains the nature of insects or the Annalosa order. This is the
1st division in the invertebrated circle called the Annalosa — it
is the 1st extreme and connected with the Radiata, which is the
2d part of the same circle. Thus it is the 1st in the in vertebra-

24

ted circle — the invertebrated is the 3d in the zoological — the
zoological department is the 1st in the organic — the organic is
the 1st in the natural, and the natural is the 3d in the universal.

Suppose a student is studying moral Philosophy, and we put
the question, What is the foundation of this branch of science?
The answer is, It is the 2d part in the mental department. And
this again is the 2d part in the universal. Now suppose the stu-
dent has been reading a sentence, and we select a word from it»
and ask him what part of speech it is ? He would probably give
the name of it and show its relation to other parts of speech or
other words in the sentence, giving it a full explanation — for if
he had even the ad vantages of a common education he would not
like to be thought ignorant of the grammar of his native lan-
guage.

But did he ever stop to think that every sentence he reads has
reference to some one or more branches of science, and that that
branch has an appropriate place in the scale of science, and a
name and relation as much as any part of speech has a proper
place in the science of language ; and it is possible the time may
come when the student will be as anxious to understand correctly
the grammar of science as he now is to obtain a correct knowl-
edge of the rules or laws of his language. The time was, a few
centuries ago, when the world got along very well without a
knowledge of the grammar of language, but it is now considered
indispensable, and so it may eventually be in regard to the laws
of universal science.

We will now carry this process out into the more minute parts
of creation, taking specimens from the animal kingdom. We
will trace synthetically the little bird known by the name of the
hedge sparrow (Parus Biarmicus of naturalists.) It is the 9th
remove from the great circle of the animal kingdom. It belongs
to the sub-genus, Parus Proper ; this little circle is sub-divided
from the Genus-Parus — Parus is a division from the sub-family
Parianae — Parianse is a division from the Family Sylviadae —
Sylviadac is a division from the tribe Dentirosters — Dentirosters
is divided from the order Insessores — Insessores is the 1st divis-

25

ion in the circle of Birds — the circle of Birds is the 3d in the
lower Vertebrata — the lower Vertebrata is the 2d in the Zoologi-
cal — the Zoological, or Animal, is the 1st in the Organic — the
Organic is the 1st in the Natural — the Natural is the 3d in the
Universal.

I will now descend still lower, and take the beautiful Shell
Harpula, (Vexillum.)

It belongs to the sub-genus, Harpula Proper. This is subdi-
vided from the genus, Harpula ; Harpula is from the sub-family
Volutinae; Volutinas is from the family, Volutidas ; Volutidae is
from the tribe, Zoophaga ; Zoophaga is from the order, Gastero-
poda ; Gasteropoda is from the class, Testacea ; Testacea is from
the sub-kingdom, Mollusca; Mollusca is the 3d is the Invertebra-
ta ; Invertebrata is the 3d in the Animal circle ; the Animal is the
1st in the Organic; the Organic is the first in the Material or
Natural ; the Material is the 3d in the Universal.

Here I have used the terms, kingdom, sub-kingdom, class, or-
der, tribe, family, sub-family, genus, and sub-genus, because they
are terms most familiar with naturalists. Yet all that is meant
is a distinct department which has a greater resemblance between
its internal parts, than it has to any other department in the
whole range of Science. It matters not whether it is called a
circle, a class, family, or genus, provided we understand the true
order of arrangement.

All these terms — the terms genus and species in particular —
are in common use among students, yet in the present state of
knowledge, they have no definite meaning whalever, and might
as well be entirely discarded. Some speak of the human race,
others of the human species ; some divide species into varieties ;
others consider varieties as species. Des Moulins, a French
Philosopher, asks the question, " What are species ?" but does
not answer it. And a late writer says, " that naturalist would be
canonized who should answer it in "a manner acceptable to all."
Now, whoever will take the trouble to learn the system of the
universe as here developed, will find no difficulty in giving a defi-
nite and satisfactory meaning to these terms, if they choose to
place them in this mathematical arrangement.

26

By the analytic process, we find that each circle, or depart-
ment, according to its superior rank, embraces all those that are
below it. Beginning with the circle of the universe, we traverse
twelve circles before we arrive at the small animals, whose sta-
tions we have just considered, and whose relations have been
traced in the opposite direction by the synthetic process till they
terminated in the circle of the universe, where all things unite in
one great whole. For we proceed from the absolute unity of all
things down to the last degree of analysis ; and if it is supposed
that we have not yet arrived at the last degree of analysis, that is,
(when applied, for instance, to a group of animals,) the highest
degree of resemblance — that point where no distinction except
that ot individuals can be found ; then it is evident we must be-
gin at the first extreme, and take the course of analysis; so that we
are never without data from which to begin our arrangement ;
and if the data be fixed, and the series uniform, every sub-divis-
ion will be equally fixed and certain, and show its precise situa-
tion in the great scale of science.

KNOWLEDGE PANTONOMICALLY CONSIDERED.

Having now given a complete prodromus of the system of the
universe, I shall for the sake of illustration make a few observa-
tions on different subjects, without taking up the sciences ID.
order.

It is claimed that the world is rapidly increasing in knowledge
at the present day. If this be true, we must admit one of two
things ; either that human knowledge is a positive evil, or that
we are not progressing in the right kind of knowledge ; for no
one who takes a correct and impartial view of the present moral
state of society, can doubt that there is a deficiency in moral
worth, and consequently in true piety, which ill comports with
our apparent advantages.

Now science proclaims that knowledge in its widest sense is
inseparably connected with virtue and piety, and consequently a

27

a positive blessing. It therefore follows that we are not pursuing
the right kind of knowledge. It is too local and partial. The
mind must be properly balanced by knowledge of principles,
it must be expanded into that wide range of science which ena-
bles man to see all his moral and intellectual relations in their
true light. It is not sufficient that he learns the relations of ma-
terial things — that he subdues nature to his will. By his
power over the elements, by the use of electricity, galvanism
and steam, he may bring all parts of the earth into closer com-
munication. These powers, aided by mechanical knowledge,
and applied in various ways, may abridge human labor a hun-
dred fold. The free press may disseminate this knowledge
through the world ; but should we thus go on attempting to im-
prove our physical condition without duly attending to the higher
laws of our moral and divine relations, what can be expected but
that retrograde movement, in this respect, which all pretended
refined nations have experienced, and which has ended, or must
sooner or later end, in their final destruction. This kind of
knowledge is useful and highly important in its place ; and so is
all that which is generally called practical among men, such as
knowledge of facts in relation to worldly business. Our physical
condition must have its proper share of attention. But who does
not see that this kind of advancement may be made to usurp the
place of more important interests. Teach man the higher prin-
ciples of science, let him see clearly their immediate connection
with his real interests, and his physical advantage will be rightly
understood. He will make them subservient to his highest inter-
ests both in this world and in the world to come. Neglect these,
and his physical advantages serve but to augment his misery
and secure his ruin. The boasted utilitarian principle, the reli-
ance on what is called matter-of-fact and experimental knowledge,
is the legitimate result of the Baconian Philosophy, or as it is
generally called, the Inductive System. Its foundation is laid in
the observation of facts — its facts are proved by experiments,
and the correctness of its experiments is tested by the external
; for these senses are, according to his Philosophy, the

28

foundation of all psychological, as well as physical knowledge.
Thus the imperfect and variable organs of sensation are made to
supercede the eternal and unchangable laws of science. It is
true the mind takes cognisance of the material world by the aid
of these senses; but they are connected with the lowest extreme
of the intellect — the perceptive faculty ; hence all the testimo-
ny received through this source must, before it can be relied on,
be examined by the reasoning Faculty — by the fixed laws of
science, as developed by the constitution of the mind itself. The
reasoning power is the highest extreme of intellect, and in accor-
dance with the true system of science, which reveals the law of
subordination ; the highest always supercede the lowest branch-
es. This will be understood in regard to the mind by showing
the systematical arrangement as it is developed by its relation to
matter. The first division includes the perceptive powers , the
second, the retentive power; the third, the reasoning power.*
The perceptive faculties are the lowest — the first developed ;
they predominate in the infancy of individual life, and in the
earliest period of the human race. In the savage state, percep-
tion predominates over reason. The savage believes his senses.
He says the world is flat, and the sun moves round, and actually
rises and sets. This is the testimony of the external senses,
which it is the office of reason to correct, and reason is predica-
ted on the intuitive principles of mind, from which there is no ap-
peal— therefore, it is clear that induction is useful only when
rightly applied. But without deduction it is a baseless fabric.
Man need not sin in this world, and then pass to the next, in or-
der to prove by experiment that sin is necessarily connected with
punishment. He knows this from the laws of science. He
wants no facts brought forth by the inductive principle of experi-
ment to prove it. In this as in all other cases the principles of
mind are corroborated by divine revelation. Religion stands be-
tween the mental and divine departments. The law of duty is
implanted in the moral constitution of the mind. Religion re-

* These divisions show the developement of the intellectual powers in relation to the
material world, while the analysis of intellect, given in the Synopsis shows their arrange-
ment in the mind, iuifs more mature state-

29

cognizes and amplifies this law, showing its connection with
the welfare of the soul. This law of duty recognizes the relation
of sin and punishment, and of virtue and happiness, and points
out three states. The first, a state of blessedness, the heavenly
state ; the second, a state of probation, or earthly state ; the third,
a state of punishment, or the world of woe, a state of death to the
soul. This last mentioned state is the lowest extreme, and con-
sequently, the opposite of the heavenly, to which the true pro-
gress of the mind, in its upward ascent, would lead : it being in
this case guided by the laws of science, while a downward course
towards the other extreme would as surely result from an at-
tempt to evade or disregard these laws. The worm, obedient to
the laws of his nature, spends a part of his life in preparing a cov-
ering of a material which is a non-conductor of electric force. —
In this tomb he envelopes himself, and thus retains the feeble
galvanic force, which sustains a kind of vitality while he passes
through the shades of death, and ensures himself a resurrection
into a higher world of life and light and happiness. He is no
longer confined to the dust on which he was doomed to crawl in
his less perfect state of being, but soars aloft in the pure light of
day, and wings his way over flowery meads and widening
scenes of joy.

Now, had he disregarded the laws of his nature, and neglected
to prepare himself for the change of death, he must have died as
he had lived, unprepared, and fallen to the lowest extreme of his
nature, that of inanimate dust. So it is with man — if he diso-
beys the laws of moral science and neglects to prepare that guard
for his soul which virtue and piety alone can secure, and which
shall save his soul alive as he passes through the ordeal of death,
and becomes prepared for a glorious resurrection. If he
neglects this preparation, then he must, whenever death over-
takes him, fall to the lowest extreme of the mental state, and in-
sure an entire separation from the upper world. The anirn/J
dies a physical death, the man a spiritual death, this is a state
of woe, it is called everlasting death. The Philosopher should
stop here, and leave the description with divine revelation. All
we know from reason is, that it is a state consequent on sinful-

30

ness, and that the degree of punishment will be proportionate to
the amount of sin committed. (There is a lowest hell as well as a
highest heaven.) This state, as we have already shown, is the
consequence of an aberation from the progressive laws of sci-
ence, and admits not of extensive explanation.

Let us now pass from this lowest state to the next in order, the
probationary state. Here the laws of science teach us that the
true course is that of progression from a less to a more perfect
state ; and if we continue in such a course, we shall pass on to
the divine state ; nothing is necessary but a strict compliance
with these laws. The animal just mentioned obeys the laws of
his physical nature by impulse — by mere instinct; — and so did
man, in the primeval state of innocence, obey the moral law of
his spiritual existence by impulse ; he knew not even that diso-
bedience was possible; he knew not evil ; he, therefore, had no
knowledge of the difference between good and evil, until the
falsehood was uttered by the evil one, " In the day ye eat thereof
ye shall not die." Here all the difficulty arises. The error here
promulgated has been in the world ever since. Man ignorantly
thinks he can evade the laws of science.

God has implanted the great principles of moral and religious
science in the constitution of our minds so firmly that the ordi-
nary exercise of reason clearly developes them, giving a standard
of right which no circumstances of education can destroy. It is
intuitive and invariable as any law of nature. Thus man is not
excusable for any sinful act. It is no excuse for him that he is
ignorant of truths which are so completely within the reach of the
most ordinary capacity. Let it be every where understood,
then, that the laws of science are the laws of God, and that every
attempt to evade them must prove unsuccessful, that it is a sin
— and that the connection between sin and punishment, as cause
and effect, is as certain as that between fire and heat, for that
vfcry law which requires compliance, makes punishment the ne-
cessary consequence of all attempts to evade it. He that sins
with the hope of escaping punishment is no wiser than he who
throws himself into a glowing furnace with the expectation of
escaping uninjured. It has been above stated that true knowl-

31

edge of science is inseparably connected with virtue and piety,
and consequent happiness, for this knowledge which teaches the
laws of science teaches the necessity of complying with them. —
Now, although ignorance is the cause of sin, it affords no excuse
since knowledge is clearly within our reach.

What am I ? What is my destiny ? And what are the things
around me 1 are the inquiries of every well regulated and well
informed mind, as it goes forth upon the works of creation. Such
reflections are not, as the dull sensualist would claim, the result of
a morbidly sensitive mind, nor a merely romantic imagination,
but spring from the spontaneous operation of reason-controlled
thoughts. The sublime truths and hallowed beauties, which
dwell far beyond the range of visible and tangible things, are re-
flected down from heaven to the purer spirits on earth, and the
mind that seeks earnestly shall find treasures in the depths of
science which belong not to mortality.

It is true that man in the first and lower elements of his being
is endowed with the power of external sensation, which he holds
in common with the lower orders of animals ; and it is also true
that his mental organism receives its development and education
in part through this channel, aided by its own super-combined
laws. These senses are the portals through which the mind
holds communion with nature. All material light, beauty, form
and sounds — all earthly things continually present their offer-
ings at the shrine of spiritual existence ; while they in their turn
receive new attributes of truth and harmony when clothed in the
vestments of spiritual life — the source of higher knowledge.
Here let us ascend from the external senses which belong to cor-
poreal existence and give knowledge of nature, to a consideration
of the higher sense of mind. The former are often deceptive
and imperfect ; a ray of light does not always present its object
to the eye in its true direction ; all ears do not hear the same
sounds, nor in the same direction ; nor do all eyes distinguish the
same colors. All celestial bodies appear to be more elevated than
they really are, owing to the refractive powers of the atmosphere

32

which bend the rays of light towards the earth ; thus stars ap*
pear above the horizon after they are set. Terrestrial objects of-
ten appear elevated, depressed, or double, in consequence of the
different strata of atmosphere, possessing different degrees of den-
sity, caused by difference of temperature. Many of these diffi-
culties in the way of truth which owe their origin to these last
mentioned causes nifty be removed. But there are constitutional
defects in the organs of external sense which can never be en-
tirely removed ; this is not the case, however, with the mental
sense, for there is not a rational man on earth who, if rightly edu-
cated, could not perceive all the elementary truths of intellectual
and moral science. The truths of geometry are alike perceived
by all minds that perceive them at all. Our duty to God and
our fellow beings is so clear to all minds that if all the millions
of human beings on earth could have the same degree of knowl-
edge, they would agree in every case relating to moral and reli-
gious duty, so thai, there would not be found one dissenting
voice. Thus we perceive that the mental or spiritual sense is
founded in unchangable laws of psychological science, and after
it is once developed, may exist independent of the external senses
which depend on a material organism, and are destined to share
in its dissolution; like the flower that dies with the plant that sus-
tained it, while the spiritual sense is reserved as in the seed that
survives the change of death.

Having established the high powers and indistructibility of the
mental sources of sense, we perceive that anew world is brought
to view, without which nature would lose all her charms and
become a lifeless corpse — a body without a soul ; and there are
those who have wandered far away into this new region without
knowing how they got there. They see new beauties and har-
monies, the source of which they do not fully comprehend. Like
the immortal Socrates, charmed with his distant and imperfect
view of a pure system of moral truth, or like the holy men of o'd
inspired with the gift of prophetic endowment, they feel what
they cannot explain to other minds. They become transcen-
dentalists, and their writings become incomprehensible to the or-
dinary reader.

33

A proper survey of Pantonomic science cannot fail to establish
a clear view of the relation which exists between the physical and
mental worlds, and present the harmony of their laws in such
light as to render the subject highly interesting and instructive.

We will now ascend still higher, and show that the mind has
higher relationship, and may be brought into harmony with the
divine world, where there is a higher sense developed. In the
true synthetic order and progress of knowledge, we proceed up-
ward from the physical sense to the mental, and from the mental
to the divine sense, which is inspiration.

By the natural eye, we perceive but few objects immediately
around us, but in imitation of the mechanism of this organ, the
mind prepares and arranges instruments of telescopic power, by
which distant and unseen worlds are brought to view ; the light of
innumerable orbs and systems in the far regions of space is
brought down to us and linked with our own material being by
kindred ties of relationship. And thus it is in the mental world j
psychological science presents a scene of spiritual harmony and
truth ; and the whole material world, when its laws are revealed,
becomes one great system of telescopic media to the mental vis.
ion, by which the light, the truth, and the harmony of the heav-
enly and divine world shed down their holier influence on the
soul of man, and raise him up to that elevation where mental and
divine knowledge — where wisdom and piety are united.

Let us now descend again to the relation between mind and
nature.

Every degree of corporeal sensation, has its counterpart in the
affective, (or, as they are called in the synopsis.) sensitive powers
of the mind. To light and darkness, belong joy and sorrow ; to
symmetry and deformity, belong love and hatred ; to harmonious
and discordant sounds, belong courage and fear ; and thus every
emotion of the mind is made up of these affections, either singly
or variously combined.

The charms of morning skies and evening shades, with all their
intervening changes ; the rejuvenescence of spring, and the som-
bre hues of fading autumn, are but the elements of the poetry of

34

nature, reflected upon the mind through the medium of sound^
color and form. From the monotone of the funeral dirge, to the
highest notes of joy; from the dark pall that covers the dead, to
the light and varied colors of youthful gaiety — each degree links
with a sympathetic chord in the affections of the mind. And all
the higher intellectual impressions of geometrical or mathematical
truths, have their counterpart in the regular and invariable laws
of all the processes of nature — here mind and nature harmonize,
all is order, even that which we call pleasing variety, is nothing
but extended order and uniformity. Take for instance, the sci-
ence of music, and we find it is this very law of uniformity
which submits to the strictest rules of mathematical formulae, that
creates all the high interest we feel in listening to it, and without
which it would be neither science nor music, but mere discord ;

Let us now descend to the lowest extreme of nature, and take
a glance at the elements of matter and motion.

Matter in its primary state is divided into oxygeneous, ethereal
and hydrogeneous elements. The ethereal or neutral element
which pervades all space, serves only as a medium for the com-
munication of mechanical motion, while the two extremes, the
oxygeneous and hydrogeneous, by their relation to each other,
become the only agents through which choloric produces its
effects in carrying on all the works of material creation. Taking
these extremes as the true data, we have the following series : 1st
Oxygen, 2d ^Chlorine, 3d Fluorine, 4th Iodine, 5th Tellurium,
6th Azote, 7th Carbon, 8th Sulphur, 9th Phosphorus, 10th Boron,
llth Sillicon, 12th Metals, 13th Zinchona, 14th Glacina, 15th
Alumina, 16th Alkaline Metals, 17th Hydrogen. These inter-
mediate substances, placed between oxygen and hydrogen, par-
take more or less of the nature of the extremes according to their
situation in the series, whether we consider them as actual com-
pounds of them, or as mere simple elements. They are
arranged here according to the resemblance of their properties,
the same as we would arrange the different shades between the
extremes of prismatic colors, without stopping to inquire whether
all those substances called elementary are included in the range,

or whether many which are included may not be further
analyzed by increased galvanic force ; for this would not affect
the present theory, as they would still show that they belonged
to the same series ; as do the different colors when subdivided
into lesser shades.

If oxygen gas is 16 times heavier than hydrogen, we may
infer that one atom of the former occupies, under the same tem-
perature, (if the size be affected by temperature,) just one 16th
of the space occupied by the latter in proportion to its real
amount of matter, and that the series depends on the gradation
of size in the atoms or original particles of the different elements.
Here we have the first series in the secret operations of nature.
It depends on the size of atoms. The second stries ranges from
transparency to opacity, and depends on the arrangement of
atoms in the mass. The third series ranges from the aeriform
to the solid state, and depends on the form of atoms.

We can change a transparent substance into an opake state,
merely by increasing its thickness, and without, in the least,
changing its composition, and we can also change the solid form
to the liquid or aeriform, by an increase of temperature, without
apparently changing the chemical composition ; it is evident that
these properties depend on calorific motion and mechanical ar-
rangement. But the original gases have not, by any agency yet
known, been thus transmuted into each other ; we have never
seen oxygen expanded by heat into hydrogen, nor have we seen
the latter condensed by cold or pressure into oxygen ; and yet it
is not certain that such an effect cannot be produced. It may be
that their original difference depends on their different degrees of
susceptibility to calorific motion. Oxygen, by the application of
heat assumes the character of a conductor of electricity, a prop-
erty which belongs to hydrogen and not to itself in the normal
state. Expand oxygen until its volume equals that of an equal
weight of hydrogen, and what are their properties in relation to
each other ? How are we to learn ? The moment they are
brought in contact, the heat of the former is transferred to the
heat of the latter, its volume is expanded as far beyond its ordin-

36

ary state, as the other gas is beyond i:s own. This only proves
that their union takes place when both are under the game
degree of motion or temperature ; and, it may be thought noth-
ing is gained by the experiment. But have they shown precisely
the same character in relation to each other at this degree of
temperature, that they would under a different degree ? May
not the intensity of action resulting from their relation decrease
as we arise from a given point of temperature, by some definite
law of proportion between temperature and intensity of action,
until all power arising1 from their relation ceases, thus destroying
all chemical action by their homogeneous character? And
again, is it not probable that as we decrease the temperature and
descend below this given point, a similar law of decreasing action
prevails, until we arrive at a point where all chemical action
ceases. Here is a great series formed ; or rather, two series of
action proceeding from a medium point in opposite directions,
until they terminate in two extremes, uniting in a certain result,
viz., an entire destruction of an organized material world ; the
one producing a complete state of rest in every atom of matter,
resulting from an entire absence of calorific motion, the other
such a high degree of this motion, as to keep every atom of mat-
ter at such a distance from each other as to prevent their relation
and union, and consequent organization.

Here we have data from whence to commence our inquiries
into the origin of the solar system, — commencing with the
three original elements in an uncombined state as the occupants
of space or some part of space, and constituting that chaotic state
of the substance of the heavens and the earth which God created
before he said, "Let there be light." Now it is evident that
matter must have been in one or the other of the extreme states
of motion or rest which I have pointed out, for it could not occupy
a place between them, that being the present state of action. It
could not have been in the state of the active extreme, for intense
calorific motion produces light, and light in this first state of mat-
ter did not exist, for God had not yet called it into existence.
Besides, we have an idea independent of this proof from Scrip-

37

ture, that as space may exist without matter, so matter might
exist without motion, and that motion was the last principle
originally introduced. Therefore it may be inferred that calorific
motion was applied when the light was introduced, and in such
a degree as was calculated to carry on all the subsequent opera-
tions of nature, including the formation of the solar system and all
the organized bodies attached to the planets.

From the above considerations it is evident — 1st, that a proper
degree of calorific force applied to two substances belonging to
the oxygenous and hydrogenous extremes of the elemental series
when in contact, causes them to unite in certain proportions, and
by this union produce compounds differing from themselves in
property ; and 2d, that this same degree of power applied to two
or more substances belonging to the same extreme, causes an
opposite, effect — a repulsion or separation of atoms. But we
have already shown that another series may exist by which this
calorific force becomes, at one of its extremes, so intense as to
destroy this last series, and to hold both kinds of atoms belonging
to the two extremes of oxygen and hydrogen in entire separation;
that is, in the occupancy of the greatest amount of space, while
the opposite extreme of this series being that of entire absence
of calorific motipn, leaves the atoms of all elements in a complete
state of rest, (the source of attraction,) and consequently occu-
pying the least possible amount of space in the mass, for it is
certain that atoms of matter require more space when in relative
motion than at rest. Therefore calorific motion once applied to
matter, becomes a self-compensating force — the cause of com-
position, decomposition and re-composition of bodies. A
moderate degree of temperature is sufficient to cause the elements
of a galvanic battery to unite, and the oxidation thus produced
ultimately developes intense motion, sufficient to decompose the
hardest compound substances, the elements of which may again
be united by the aid of that moderate degree of temperature or
heat which first served to put the battery in motion and keep up
its power.

Under a sufficient degree of heat in the animal body, the oxy-
gen of the atmosphere coming in contact with the hydrogeneous

33

elements, supplied by the blood, in the lungs, unites with them,
producing that moderate degree of warmth, arising from the slow
combustion which continues through life. Thus, a power first
received from another being becomes the cause of a second pow-
er— the union of elements — chemical action, and thirdly, con-
sequent continued evolution of animal heat — the blood having
received its hydrogeneous properties from the food in the stom-
ach— passes to the lungs — receives an amount of oxygen, a
part of which unites in producing the necessary degree of com-
bustion, and a part unites with the globules of the blood — passes
to the heart — excites mechanical movement, which re-acts upon
the fluid, and becomes a secondary cause in aiding the general
circulation — the blood still retaining its oxygen, passes to the
brain, where it comes in contact with and forms a part of the ner-
vous aperatus ; and here another union of elements takes place in
consequence of the oxygen carried there by the blood, and thus
evolving a sufficient quantity of galvanic force to produce all the
powers of corporeal sensation.

It has been observed that the mineral kingdom is organic. Our
earth in its general properties presents to view an organized body,
the first divisions of which are solid, liquid and aeriform. The
aeriform, or gaseous, is the first in the order of. creation. Our
atmosphere is a vast ocean surrounding the earth, and extending
50 or 60 miles from its surface. At the bottom of this ocean, we
live, move and have our being, like submarine animals at the
bottom of the aqueous ocean ; so that we live in, instead of being
on, our planet. The liquid state is the next in order of creation.
It is beneath and around us in the form of water and vapor.
The solid state is the last in the order of creation, and is beneath
our feet.

All the primary operations of nature are carried on by the
effects of calorific motion through the medium of size, form and
arrangement of atoms of matter.

Hence we may infer that the vis vitcc, the highest principle of
life, that power by which man and all other animals live, is pro-
duced by Thermo-galvanic force ; and that the vegetative princi-

pie which belongs to plants as well as animals, depends on
Galvano-electric force, while chrystalization which belongs to the
mineral kingdom, and extends up through the vegetable and
animal kingdoms, depends on Electro-magnetic force.

These three forces arise from one and the same cause, viz.,
the combination of oxygeneous and hydrogeneous substances,*
under a sufficient degree of previous calorific motion to cause
their action, and differ from each other only, in being the result
of more complicated arrangements, as we pass upward from the
most simple in the mineral to thg most complicated in the animal
organization.

In explaining the elements of motion, we must go back to the
first principles. All bodies in the solar system, as well as all the
atoms in the solid mass, while operated upon by caloric, move in
orbits consisting of three motions combined, the centrifugal, cen-
tripetal and tangental.

If a fire be kindled in an open space on the surface of the
earth, oscilation is the immediate result ; the rarified air is pro-
pelled upward, passes off" and returns in a more dense state
below. Now if this fire was kindled up, like the sun, in a place
far removed from all other bodies, the repulsions and attractions,
that is, the oscilations, would take place in all directions from
and towards the central source, every body floating in space,
within the reach of its influence, would move from it and then
return, not in direct lines, but in eliptical orbits round the centre,
approaching towards circles in proportion to the density of the
body. Thus there are two extremes between which all bodies
move, for there can be none so dense as to move in a circle, and
none so rare as to move in straight lines to and from the centre.
Light and heat move in straight lines, therefore they are not
bodies nor atoms, but consist of motion communicated from par
tide to particle of the ethereal medium through ivhich they pass,
producing a succession of minute consecutive oscilations. (Here
•we may infer, hypothetically, that heat depends on the length,
light on the rapidity, and chemical rays on the width, of these

* These extremes constitute, probably, the ultimate source oi the seiual relations in
plants and animals.

40

oscilations.) No body, under the influence of calorific motion
can move in direct lines to and from the centre of motion ; for
the moment its rarity equals that of the medium through which it
passes, it must cease to be a distinct body and become homogen- *
eons with that medium.

Now suppose this ethereal medium to possess the same degree
of density every where, whether in general space or between the
atoms of solid bodies ; then we have a fixed law of proportion
between the density of an atom or a body and the eccentrity of
the elipse of its orbit in this medium, and we may learn the exact
density of every body in our solar system as soon as we know
the elements of their orbits.*

From this hasty view of the laws of motion, it appears evident
that calorific motion is the primary cause of all effects in the
material world. There could be no motion without it. " God
said, Let there be light, and there was light." This light arose
from the application of caloric to the oxygeneous and hydrogen-
eous elements in an uncombined state. Here this universal agent
was introduced — the sun was lighted up — and from that moment
it went on, aided by the laws of mechanical and organic motion,
to the complete formation of the present material world, under
the guidance of Him who first introduced it.

The rotatory motion of storms, whirlwinds, and waterspouts, is
the result of this oscilative force modified by mechanical causes,
and running through every degree of elipticity of gyration, and
every degree of elevation from a horizontal to a perpendicular
whirl, depending on Ihe alternate rarification and condensation
of matter — the ever-beating pulse of nature.

* According to this law of motion a comet must be extremely rare, and especially so
when near the sun, for it moves in an extremely cecentiic elipsis. Many of them must be
less dense than our atmosphere: and from the laws of light here developed, we perceive
that the comet's tail does not consist of matter, but is nothing more than the sun's light
deprived of its calorific and red rays while passing through the comet ; which accounts
for the cold weather experienced during acometary visit, as well as the stream of whitish
light called the tail.

It also appears from this system that our earth, and all other bodied in the solar sys-
tem, must increase in density from the earliest period of their existence till their final disso-
lution ; and therefore that their orbits must be tending towards perfect circles; and the
time occupied in each of their successive revolutions slowly diminishing.

[The term elipsis, is used in this work to designate orbits describing conic sections.]

0?

113
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