equilibrium of their collected matter, exhibit a later
state.... In a region of space filled in this manner, a
universal repose could last only a moment. The elements
have essential forces with which to put each
other in motion, and thus are themselves a source of
life. Matter immediately begins to strive to fashion
itself. The scattered elements of a denser kind, by
means of their attraction, gather from a sphere around
them all the matter of less specific gravity; again, these
elements themselves, together with the material which
they have united with them, collect in those points
where the particles of a still denser kind are found;
these in like manner join still denser particles, and so
on. If we follow in imagination this process by which
nature fashions itself into form through the whole extent
of chaos, we easily perceive that all the results of
the process would consist in the formation of divers
masses which, when their formation was complete,
would by the equality of their attraction be at rest
and be forever unmoved.

"But nature has other forces in store which are
specially exerted when matter is decomposed into fine
particles. They are those forces by which these particles
repel one another, and which, by their conflict
with attractions, bring forth that movement which is,
as it were, the lasting life of nature. This force of repulsion
is manifested in the elasticity of vapors, the
effluences of strong-smelling bodies, and the diffusion
of all spirituous matters. This force is an uncontestable