rse
and simple language; but in this we have a summary of that which he
regards as fundamental: "The law which we call _Gravity_," he says,
"exists on account of matter having been radiated, at its origin,
atomically, into a _limited_ sphere of space, from one, individual,
unconditional irrelative, and absolute Particle Proper,
by the sole process in which it was possible to satisfy, at the same
time, the two conditions, radiation and equable distribution throughout
the sphere--that is to say, by a force varying in _direct_ proportion
with the squares of the distances between the radiated atoms,
respectively, and the particular center of radiation."

Poe was thoroughly persuaded that he had discovered the great secret:
that the propositions of "Eureka" were true; and he was wont to talk of
the subject with a sublime and electrical enthusiasm which they cannot
have forgotten who were familiar with him at the period of its
publication. He felt that an author known solely by his adventures in the
lighter literature, throwing down the gauntlet to professors of science,
could not expect absolute fairness, and he had no hope but in discussions
led by wisdom and candor. Meeting me, he said, "Have you read 'Eureka?'"
I answered, "Not yet: I have just glanced at the notice of it by Willis,
who thinks it contains no more fact than fantasy, and I am sorry to
see--sorry if it be true--suggests that it corresponds in tone with that
gathering of sham and obsolete hypotheses addressed to fanciful tyros,
the 'Vestiges of Creation;' and our good and really wise friend Bush,
whom you will admit to be of all the professors, in temper one of the
most habitually just, thinks that while you may have guessed very
shrewdly, it would not be difficult to suggest many difficulties in the
way of your doctrine." "It is by no means ingenuous," he replied, "to
hint that there are such difficulties, and yet to leave them unsuggested.
I challenge the investigation of every point in the book. I deny that
there are any difficulties which I have not met and overthrown. Injustice
is done me by the application of this word 'guess:' I have assumed
_nothing_ and proved _all_." In his preface he wrote: "To the few who
love me and whom I love; to those who feel rather than to those who
think; to the dreamers and those who put faith in dreams as in the only
realities--I offer this book of truths, not in the character of
Truth-Teller, but for the beauty that abou