were then interposed in the course of the ray, but I could not perceive when any portion of a ray passed (and that was generally the case) that it differed sensibly in colour or quality from the ray passing into the preparation. In like manner, the objects were put into the differently coloured rays and observed by the reflected light, a lens being sometimes employed to concentrate the light; but I could not find any marked difference between the colour or character of the ray reflected and the impinging ray, except in quantity.
On the Conservation of Force[1].
Various circumstances induce me at the present moment to put forth a consideration regarding the conservation of force. I do not suppose that I can utter any truth respecting it that has not already presented itself to the high and piercing intellects which move within the exalted regions of science; but the course of my own investigations and views makes me think that the consideration may be of service to those persevering labourers (amongst whom I endeavour to class myself), who, occupied in the comparison of physical ideas with fundamental principles, and continually sustaining and aiding themselves by experiment and observation, delight to labour for the advance of natural knowledge, and strive to follow it into undiscovered regions.
There is no question which lies closer to the root of all physical knowledge, than that which inquires whether force can be destroyed or not. The progress of the strict science of modern times has tended more and more to produce the conviction that "force can neither be created nor destroyed," and to render daily more manifest the value of the knowledge of that truth in experimental research. To admit, indeed, that force may be destructible or can altogether disappear, would be to admit that matter could be uncreated; for we know matter only by its forces: and though one of these is most commonly referred to, namely gravity, to prove its presence, it is not because gravity has any pretension, or any exemption amongst the forms of force, as regards the principle of conservation; but simply that being, as far as we perceive, in convertible in its nature and un-
- ↑ Proceedings of the Royal Institution, Feb. 27, 1857, vol. ii. p. 352.
