Page:Thoughts on art and life.djvu/187

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and if a weighty body were dropped into this well, the body would seek to remain stationary at the centre, but so strong would be the impetus that for many years it would prevent it from so doing.

25. Impetus is a virtue created by motion and communicated by the motive force to the objecft moved, and this object acquires motion in proportion to the energy of the impetus.

26. No lifeless matter moves of itself, but its motion is caused from without.

27. All elements displaced from their natural place seek to return to it, and more especially fire, water and earth.

28. All matter universally seeks to maintain itself in its natural state; hence, water in motion seeks to maintain its course according to the force by which it is propelled, and if it meets with opposition it finishes the length of the course it began in a circular and reflex motion.

29. Impetus is the impression of motion conveyed by the motive power to the object moved. Every

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