New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS,

Force By SAMUEL ELLIor Covss Boston Little
Brown.
This is one of the few books which appear in 9
century deserving particular attention for orisi-
nal thought and bold announcement Of new theor-
les in philosophy. The author takes the startling
ground. that the theory of the universal sravita'
ton Of matter supposed TO have been msthe-
mstically demonstrated by Newton, and received
by the world for two centuries az governing the
motions Of the planets, is untrue; and he puts
forth an entire new theory TO sapplv its place.
This, an the author seems 10 be well aware
"may strike many minds n presumptuous," and
sufficient 10 condemn the book without hearing.
We, however are no. disposed to shut our eyes
to a new theory OF philosophy, because it contro-
verts an old one or because IL is srrayed against
high authority. Lord Bacon has we'll said, As
water will not ascend higher than the level Of the
first spring head. from whence it desceudeth. 90
knowledge derived from Aristotle, and exempted
from liberty Of examination. will not rise again
higher than the knowledge OF Aristotle"
We have, therefore, read the work before us
with considerable attention, and, we must add,
with great interest. 1t has impressed Us a.
work Of singular ability, and as q remarkable
force and motion in the material world. We do
not say we are prepared to adopt the authors
theory, but we do say he has caused US to doubt
the common theory Of gravtstion. The array OF
facts and arguments which he presents against IL
seems impossible to be overcome or reooncilsd
with the theory, while his own theory seems to
have the argument In it's favor OF unity OF do
sign and greater simplicity In the order OF nature
While the received systems Of philosophy have
10 deal with various and numerous kinds OF force.
such as gravitation, cohesion, chemical action'
electricity, magnetism and thelike, Mr. Coues DO.
lieves there 10 but one hind Of force in the uni
verse, and that all the phenomena Of nature are
to be accounted for by the simple and uniform ss-
tion OF this single force. lie thinks the fanda.
mental error In the old system 10 the assumption
that all motion Is naturally in "rd'gh ""e.
which gave rise to the necessity OF assuming
force of attraction or gravitation to defect the
nlanets from q straight line OF motion and cause
then, IN move In curves He does not believe
that inert matter, incapable OF moving ITSELF has
power 10 move distant matter. He thinks evory
particle of matter in the universe has constahsy
two distinct motions, impressed upon It by tne
Creator at the beginning-one motion oroitai ana
vne rotary. Theso motions circular, and are
| the natural and free lines OF motion under one
uniform law. We know not what force 10, any
more than We know what matter IT, But that
which gives motion to matter 10 force and the
theory 10, that force 10 ever present In oil matter
giving it its two motions-that matter moves
by the force which is 10 il and circulating
through it, and not by any power exerted upon
it by distant matter Force In its nature 10
indestructibe. Ii cannot DO created By man
nor annhilated, nor an it be increased or dimin.
ished Ii flows forever through ali matter, and IL
constantly transferred from matter TO matter, IN.
der uniform law. The fundamental feature OF
the law is, that the intensity Of force varies uai-
formly with distance from the center OF motioa
bat varies In opposite directions In the two kinds
of motion In the orbit motion the intensity Of
force Increases as We approach the center OF mo-
ton, while in the rotary motion the intensity Of
force decreases as we approach the center OF mo-
ton. Thus in the former case the planets are 90.
CELEBRATED 10 motion as they approach nearer the
center Of orbit thereby being enabled TO falali
Kepers law by describing equal areas in equal
times; while In the latter case the rotary motion
on the earths surface for instance, ct tho Equs-
tor is more than q thousand miles an hour, and
this rotary motion diminishes as we approach me
center Of the earth, till it Ii finally lost at the axis
of motion. These two kinds Of motion Mr. Coues
considers as compliments OF each other, and hav'
ing fixed ratio TO each other. Bat no believes
all the phenomena Of nature, the minute a. wen ~
the extended, must be referred TO the one ever
flowing force, which constitutes the llfe OF the
universe. ave hear it in the russing oil the
forest leaves, in the roar OF the ocean, In the
thunder Of the storm we see 1t 10 the aurorts
arch In the volcanoes blaze, Ia the lightninss
fash; we trace it by the oscillations OF tho bs-
rometer by the blings Of the magnetic-needIs'
BY the action Of the vol.sIc pile We witne" the
foil majesty OF its action la the motions OF the
spheres"
The author takes up most Of the observed
phenomena Of nature, and with much acaseness
and generally with great pausibity explains
them upon bis theory He does not regard bis
work by any means as perfect system, bat mere
ly outlines Of theory looking toward perfect
system. In allusion 10 the universally received
theory Of gravitation, be remarks; at has be-
come associated with the universe, from It's most
enlarged 70 it's most attenuated parts The at
tempt 10 substitute other theories 70 assIgn osnef
laws Of force, may be deemed the wandering o
an erratic mind or the presum ption OF an isnofant
man. But this research was commenced wishoat
reference to the public, and the results are pre-
.epted, no. pre.umpsuOu'ly, bat firmly; not with
The belief that we have fully developed the truth,
,b.. all our views are sound, that no mistakes are
made, bat with the conviction that our specala-
.iops are founded upon principles that fally de-
serve attention and examination We appeal to
those who believe that there 10 yet hope Of pro-
gress in philosophy"
We notice one error slip Of the pen or q sip
Of thought In reference to the comparative veloci
ty Of different parts Of a rotating sphere at diner