With prophetic vision, almost amounting to prescience, he, in speaking of magnetism, said: "When we remember that the earth itself is a magnet, pervaded in every part by this mighty power, universal and strong as gravity itself, we cannot doubt that it is exerting an appointed and essential influence over every particle of matter, and in every place where it is present. "What its great purpose is, seems to be looming up in the distance before us:--the clouds which obscure our mental sight are daily thinning, and I cannot doubt that a glorious discovery in natural knowledge and in the wisdom and power of God in the creation is awaiting our age." Thus did those great philosophers so nearly attain to the goal of their highest earthly aspirations, and only failed in the consummation by reason of clinging to the existing opinions of their age. APPENDIX. 1. (Page 22.) "BRUNO, about the close of the last century, _guessed_ the fundamental fact of the Nebular Hypothesis, and _Kant reasoned out_ its foundation idea, and LAPLACE _developed it_."--CORRELATION AND CONSERVATION OF FORCES. We have learned to recognize on how very doubtful a basis many of the received axioms of physical science are founded. This hypothesis has been received with much unanimity and has firmly held its sway. Yet, "BRUNO _guessed_ the fundamental fact," and this _figment of the imagination_ has, for nearly a century, controlled the scientific mind. Its paralyzing influences have affected other departments of physical science, and true progress has been obstructed. The attempt to describe minutely how the spheres were formed millions of years ago is but presumption. This hypothesis, from such an origin, unverified and unverifiable, is too weak to support the superstructure which has been erected upon it. This hypothesis discarded, it may be presumed that the earth was never in a fluid or _wholly incandescent state_. "It may be shown that all nebulae are crowded stellar masses."--HUMBOLDT. _Action and Retro-action._ 2. (Page 25.) "Considering the continued activity of the sun through countless centuries, we may assume, with mathematical certainty, the existence of some compensating influence to make good its enormous loss."--COR. AND CON. OF FORCES. If the earth receives the benefits of this activity, surely the "compensating influence" must, in a like degree, go forth from the earth to the sun. And, furthermore, if this influence (whatever its character) may pass in the _one_ direction through space without known or visible means of communication, _retro-action_ may be affected through the same channel. _The Earth and all Spheres framed alike._ 3. (Page 26.) "The earth belongs to a system of planets analogous to itself, having the same origin, the same destiny, situated around the same centre and governed by the same motive power."--FLAMMARIAN.