IN The Monist for January, 1891, I tried to show what
conceptions ought to form the brick and mortar of a phi-
losophical system. Chief among these was that of absolute
chance for which I argued again in last April's number. ²
In July, I applied another fundamental idea, that of con-
tinuity, to the law of mind. Next in order, I have to eluci-
date, from the point of view chosen, the relation between
the psychical and physical aspects of a substance.

The first step towards this ought, I think, to be the fram-
ing of a molecular theory of protoplasm. But before doing
that, it seems indispensable to glance at the constitution
of matter, in general. We shall, thus, unavoidably make a
long detour; but, after all, our pains will not be wasted,
for the problems of the papers that are to follow in the series
will call for the consideration of the same question.

All physicists are rightly agreed the evidence is over-
whelming which shows all sensible matter is composed of
molecules in swift motion and exerting enormous mutual
attractions, and perhaps repulsions, too. Even Sir William
Thomson, Lord Kelvin, who wishes to explode action at a
distance and return to the doctrine of a plenum, not only
speaks of molecules, but undertakes to assign definite mag-

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