"[T]he general tendency of the parts of matter to each other is the grand spring of the universe; that by this power, all combinations, solutions, and, in a word, all the movements and operations of nature are performed: and as... the earthy element possesses this tendency in the greatest degree, we ought to consider earth as being in this sense the most active and powerful of all elements. ...[T]he force with which they adhere together, and which renders them incapable of forming other unions, the extreme hardness, and the insolubility of a mass of pure earth, ought to demonstrate to a true philosopher, that if we suppose the parts of earth so separated ...that they cannot unite ...they must then possess all their force of tendency ...in a state of violent effort, and consequently must tend with extreme force to unite with any parts of matter ...within their reach ...[W]e know compounds in which the primitive integrant parts of the earthy element are only combined with the parts of water, which are incapable of satisfying all their tendency to union. These are the most simple saline substances, such as s and alkalis; and we may judge by the force and vehemence of the action of these solvents, how violent the action of the parts of earth would be, which should be capable of exerting all the attractive force which belongs to them."