Matter and motion, it is commonly said in the schools, however varyed, are still matter and motion, and produce only a difference in the position and situation of objects.

Divide a body as often as you please, it is still body.

Place it in any figure, nothing ever results but figure, or the relation of parts.

Move it in any manner, you still find motion or a change of relation.

It is absurd to imagine, that motion in a circle, for instance, should be nothing but merely motion in a circle; while motion in another direction, as in an ellipse, should also be a passion or moral reflection: That the shocking of two globular particles should become a sensation of pain, and that the meeting of two triangular ones should afford a pleasure.