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As for your new theory. I hardly know whether there is any thing in it that has not been thought of before. (You know I am a proper sceptic with regard to "Original Ideas"; firmly believing with the Old Roman that "those Ancients said all our good things before for us.") As for the first, Chemical part of your theory, perhaps you would find it all laid down in some of the new works in Chemistry. "Draper's" for instance which by the way is an extremely valuable work; would suit you very much. as interesting a book perhaps as you ever read. and thoroughly scientific too. Draper's theories of Light would set you to thinking some. As for the electrical part of your theory, if you should hear some of Old Prof. Cleaves' lectures, the Electricity. Galvanism & Magnetism Course, You would think the old gentleman had got a few ideas. If you can Elaborate from your theory or theories the exact definite Modus operandi of any distinct Atmospheric, thermal, or Magnetic Change: can deduce it logically from fixed premises, develope & explain it naturally or fully, you may do something, though perhaps not original, yet worth the while. 'If' you fairly succeed in so doing, call to it the attention of Prof. Cleaveland, Morse or Espy. Suppose I call your attention to one of the most curious & unexplainable of all Chemical phenomena. Anchor Ice. so called. Water you know like other substances contracts in bulk by top of Caloric; but by a singular exception to the general law, the contraction ceases at a definite point; it becomes a solid with increase of bulk, diminished Spec. Grav. consequently the ice is on top. So far so good: it is only a great natural law, with a most important & most benevolently designed exception, all to be accounted for on great natural principles: But, entirely at variance with theory, law, principle. comes in Anchor Ice, inexplicable & astounding. Many & learned theories, some founded on the curious science of Crystallography