By way of note we would here add, that the theory of the _infinite_ divisibility of matter, which all the laws of chemistry seem to deny, has no good grounds for our acceptance. God made matter, and, as we may humbly conceive, in the form of ultimate atoms, which, however inconceivably minute, must be definite--otherwise what is meant by creation? That which is created must have definite figure, size, etc., else it is nothing; and to talk of a creation where size of figures is absent, is absurd. We know that atheistical philosophers advocate the theory of the infinite divisibility, and infinite, essentially infinite duration of matter, for these points are steps to the theory of non-creation, or rather involve it. Infinite duration, infinite divisibility, infinite extension, and the plastic power of infinite time, together with the innate, ungiven laws of this infinite matter, form the key-stones to their unholy temple entrance. On this theory, worlds formed themselves, and harmonized with each other; living microscopic monads called themselves into being, and by voluntary exertion became developed through various phases into man. Thus, then, he owes no Creator thanks! Impious, irrational, debasing doctrine!
Supposing, then, that our atmosphere is not continued to an altitude exceeding fifty miles, forming a sort of circumambient ocean, at the bottom of which we live, and which is created for our peculiar organization, still it is not altogether improbable that some subtle ethereal fluid, altogether different from our atmosphere, may extend itself throughout space--a fluid of extreme attenuation, the nature of which is to us unknown in fact--a fluid so impalpable as to cause no sensible retardation to the rate of motion in the planets.
We do not positively assert that such a subtle fluid exists, though many astronomers are in favour of this hypothesis; and, indeed, we believe that Encke's comet appears in successive revolutions to show in some slight degree the effect of some medium resisting its motion, and that the same observation applies to the comet of Biela. But when we consider the great tenuity of the substance of these comets, through which even faint stars may be seen, we shall be justified in regarding this resisting medium as being more subtle, attenuated, and elastic, than can be well expressed in words.