81. We alluded, just now, to the possible augmentation
of the weight of bodies; a phenomenon which sometimes occurs, and which is no more
anomalous-than the resistance of the receiver under the pressure of the atmospheric
column. Under the influence of certain mediums, we 'have seen objects, light in
themselves, offer the same sort of resistance, and, immediately afterwards, yield to the
slightest effort. In the experiment mentioned above, the receiver does not really weigh
more or less, but it appears heavier or lighter, through the action of the exterior agent to
which it is submitted; it is probably the same with the table, which has always the same
intrinsic weight (for its mass has not increased), but an extraneous agent opposes its
movement, and this agent may very well be the surrounding fluids by which it is pene-
trated, just as the air is the agent which augments or diminishes the apparent weight of
the receiver. Try the experiment of the air-pump in the presence of an ignorant peasant,
who does not understand that it is the air (invisible, and therefore incomprehensible by
him), which acts, and you would have little difficulty in persuading him that the devil
has something to do with it.
It may, perhaps, be said that, the vital fluid being imponderable, its
accumulation cannot augment the weight of an object agreed ; but let it be understood
that, in using the word accumulation, we did so by way of comparison, and not as
implying similarity between that fluid and air. You say it is imponderable. Be it so;
nevertheless, nothing proves this to be the case ; its essential nature is unknown to us,
and we are far from being cognisant of all its properties. Before experiment had
proved the weight of the air, we had no suspicion of the effects of that weight.
Electricity is also ranged among the imponderable fluids; nevertheless, a body may be
kept down by an electric current, so as to offer very great resistance to any one who
would raise it, and will thus appear to have become heavier. Because, in the
phenomenon referred to, we cannot see any means of support, it would be very illogical
to assert that no support exists; for a spirit may make use of levers
