designing power, was what might readily have been demonstrated; but I find such a demonstration to be more difficult than I at first apprehended it to have been; and it is probably a subject which must long, if not for ever, remain in much difficulty and doubt.

As to the spontaneous production of animalcula; Mr. W. has at length referred me to something like proofs in support of his opinion (vol. 8, p. 654,) yet I do not conceive it to be totally impossible, for the overa of animalcula to pass the alembic, or to be contained in the fine wheat flour, which he mentions. As to Dr. W. having before referred me to Mr. Darwin for proofs of this sort (Vol. 8, p. 553.) with all due submission, I think that, that was a reference to opinions only, and not to proofs.

Mr. W. "considers that the two forces," meaning the attractive and repulsive forces "being parallel, and at the same time equal to each other, is the very cause of the curved motion or direction of planets," (vol. 8, p. 656.) but his diagram and his reasoning upon it, I must confess, do not at all satisfy me.

A

P

B Let A P, and B P, be two forces acting upon the planet P, with equal power, but in oposite directions to each other. It is evident that these forces must mutually destroy each others effect, and the planet in this case must remain at rest.

Again, let S (the sun) attract P (the planet) with any given force; suppose the planet at the same time to be propelled by another force in the direction P T, let this propelling force be sufficient to carry the planet from P to A, in the time the attracting force would carry it to C; the consequence will be, that, the planet's motion will partake of both those forces, and move in the curved line P B. The planet having arrived at B. will not have increased or decreased its velocity; but the force of gravity, will be sufficient to carry the planet from C to S, in the time the projectile force would carry it from A to D; consequently at the end of the next period of time, we shall find the planet at E; and so forward through the whole circle. Thus a planet having once received a proper impulse, it will continue to move on, in a circle, without the aid of a centrifugal force, as is mentioned by Mr. W. (vol. 8, p. 658.) in fact, if such a centrifugal force was to be continually acting upon a planet, the planet's motion would be conti nually accelerated and it would consequently move in a spiral,

whose diameter would be constantly increasing. The question has all along been with me, From whence did planets originally receive their projectile forces?

As to mineral life, Mr. W. admits, that, minerals have not any distinct organs of life, (vol. 8, p. 659) nor that they possess either sensation, animation, or the power of locomotion; therefore, I conclude, that, he and I are pretty well agreed on this subjeot.

The great quantity of calcareous matter annually produced from shell fish, I do not consider to be any argument in favour of the earth's increase in bulk; (vol. 8, p. 663.) I rather think that shell fish, like all other animal matter undergoes a decomposition, and returns again to the elementary matter of which they were composed; if it be not so we should have a real creation of matter constantly carrying on.

Mr. W.'s Manchester friend whom he brings forward in support of the opinion of the growth of coal (vol. 8, p. 669.) I think is more of a speculative theorist than of one who has gained his knowledge by his own observation and experience; the experience of all practical colliers leads to a contrary conclusion.

I shall conclude this subject, by acknowledging how much I feel obliged to Mr. W. for his liberal, dispassionate and gentlemanly like attention paid to the subjects of my letters; and for the real information he has afforded me on some of these subjects; and to you Mr. Editor I return thanks for your liberality in giving them a place in your Republican, which I believe to be the only publication where free discussion is carried on. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Subscriptions received at 84, Fleet Street.

I. G.

Gross amount of Subscriptions received by Richard Carlile, from October 1819, to December 23, 1823. £1134. 17s. 10d.

END OF VOL. VIII.

Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 84, Fleet Street.-All Correspondences for "The Republican" to be left at the place of publication.