Page:The Harveian oration (electronic resource) - Royal College of Physicians, 1881 (IA b20411911).pdf/15

 each atom of matter had ever possessed the same properties which it exhibits now; that these atoms associated themselves in certain groups, in consequence of their special requirements; and that, out of these groups, certain definite results of combination occurred, which were like matter itself eternal, and, for this reason, entitled to be called "Laws of Nature."

Now mark that, from the very definition of the subject, it must be admitted that these combinations are secondary, not primary, and, as compared with eternity, are but of recent origin. One might concede to an exponent of this philosophy, that countless ages have passed since the first dawn of life in this world's history; that, prior to that period, any most extreme duration was assigned to the slow aggregation of microscopical elements to form centres of spheres; that, going still backward in dim and fading antiquity, atoms filled space before they had assumed such dimensions as even the microscope can take cognisance of. Let us grant that the atom at the centre of our solar sphere was but the beginning of our own system, and try to guess how long it must have taken to elaborate this small unimportant orb, which is yet all the world to us; let him, if he please, add cipher to cipher in calculating this world's antiquity; it is to me quite immaterial whether he multiplies his numerals by thousands or by millions; it cannot be