electrical capacity and intensity, may be brought in close proximity, without any sensible effect whatever.—Or the same of copper and iron of unequal capacity and intensity, (one positive and the other negative) and there would be a similar result, no sensible effect whatever.
To be effective in either case, there must be electrical excitement in the repelling body—that one having the geratest electrical capacity—which is snsible or active electricity.
This excitement in small bodies is produced by friction or rubbing; whilst in the planets it may be, by their universal combination of all material substances, their great velocity through space, amidst the continual motion and chemical composition of their own atmospheres—atmospheres, gases and matter to us unknown—with the beautiful economy of their revolutionary arrangement, of continual proximity and retrocession toward and from a common centre, which incessantly sends forth sensible rays of matter, all tend with transcendent and admirable adaptation, to keep up a state of sensible electricity necessary for impelling the revolution of the great Planetary System.
As iron placed in contact with copper becomes positively electrified—the copper becoming negative—and tin in like manner placed with iron becoming positive—the iron becoming negative—so may the earth be similarly affected when in comparative near proximity to some other planet; and others in like manner to each other.
At the point of aphelion—having attained a negative condition—the earth being attracted by the sun—which is always intensely positive to all other bodies belonging to the solar system—is impelled to perihelion; where again attaining a positive condition, it is impelled to aphelion through an electric elliptical orbit, the track of its annual circuit.
It is not improbable that the earth like the moon occasionally casts off stones, or other missiles from her surface, to some other planet—most probably the moon. At the instant when that planet is at perigee, a 'rock,' or some other detached solid body (may they not be real magnetic stones?) having attained a positive intensity of sensible electricity, equal to that of the body of the earth, is impelled to the moon as a meteoric stone to us.
Doubtless this theory will be disputed like all new discoveries, provided those who are competent deign to notice it; but should it receive the verdict of a 'bill of ignoramus,' that will not prevent intelligent minds from reflection.
BLAKE: OR THE HUTS OF AMERICA.
A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, AND CUBA.
We publish in this issue Chapters 28, 29, and 30, of a new work of thrilling interest, with the above title, on the manuscript of which the author (Dr. M. R. Delany), now holds a copyright. This work differs essentially from all others heretofore published. It not only shows the combined political and commercial interests that unite the North and South, but gives in the most familiar manner the formidable understanding among the slaves throughout the United States and Cuba. The scene is laid in Mississippi, the plot extending into Cuba; the Hero being an educated West India black, who deprived of his liberty by fraud when young, and brought to the United States, in maturer age, at the instance of his wife being sold from him, sought revenge through the medium of a deep laid secret organization.
The work is written in two parts, so as to make two volumes in one, conaining some 80 Chapters and about 600 pages. We do not give these Chapters because of their particular interest above the others, but that they were the only ones the author would permit us to copy. The writer of said work, as will be seen, is also the author of a new theory of the Attraction of Planets, Cohesion &c. and is at the head of a scientific corps of colored gentlemen, 'The Niger Valley Exploring Party,' and now in this city arranging for an expedition of his party to Central Africa. The party
