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power exterior to themselves , might it not be expected that similar combinations should give similar products 5 " thus ,, that two mild substances should produce one similar to themselves , and vice versa . But does not the combination of oxygen and azot , each of which substances is mild at least to our feelings , produce a substance , which to . the same feelings is acid and corrosive in the extreme ; but perhaps it will be said that mild bodies ought to produce corrosive bodies , and that our supposing the contrary arises from an
incorrect analogy in our own minds j but in the former instance , if instead of azot we substitute hydrogen , which to our sense of feeling possesses the same properties , a very different substance , as mild as the other is Corrosive , is produced . How is this to be accounted for ? It appears to rne to point to the arbitrary -will of a being perfectly distinct from and superior to either of the substances , I
have thus far supposed the various matters to act upon each other , without observing the inconsistency of supposing them self-existent at the same time . For does not the notion of self-existence , necessarily include that of immutability ? But a body that is immutable cannot be acted upon ; this last notion necessarily including : that of chansre .
Thus , Sir , I have endeavoured to shew , that upon the hypothesis of the self-existence of matter , the present phenomena of nature could not be accounted for . The argument drawn from its indestructibility , which the Inquirer uses / or its self-existence , appears to me very unsatisfactory : ( € that , ' * says he , which cannot be destroyed must have the cause , of its existence within itself / ' Granted . But does it follow ,
that , that which we cannot destroy , ( say rather annihilate , ) must have the cause of its existence within itself ? Would it not be rather absurd to suppose-, ( independent of experiment , ) that we , ourselves material agents , could annihilate matter ? We cannot consolidate uncombined hydrogen gas ; nor crystallize alcohol ; does it therefore follow that it is
absolutely impossible that hydrogen gas can be consolidated , or alcohol crystallized ? If you think these observations worth inserting in your valuable Magazine , I shall . probably in a future letter send you a few remarks on his notions of Deity , and am ., Sir , Your very humble servant , And constant reader .
Glasgow , June 10 , 1807 .
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362 Strictures on Physical and Metaphysical Inquiries "
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1807, page 362, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2382/page/22/
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