In fine, if we suppose the material universe to
be composed of a series of vortex-rings developed from an
invisible universe which is not a perfect fluid, it will be
ephemeral, just as the smoke-ring which we develop from air, or
that which we develop from water, is ephemeral, the only
difference being in duration, these lasting only for a few
seconds, and the others it may be for billions of years." Thus,
as our authors suppose that "the available energy of the visible
universe will ultimately be appropriated by the invisible," they
go on to imagine, "at least as a possibility, that the separate
existence of the visible universe will share the same fate, so
that we shall have no huge, useless, inert mass existing in after
ages to remind the passer-by of a form of energy and a species of
matter that is long since out of date and functionally effete.
Why should not the universe bury its dead out of sight?"
In one respect perhaps no more stupendous subject of
contemplation than this has ever been offered to the mind of man.
In comparison with the length of time thus required to efface the
tiny individual atom, the entire cosmical career of our solar
system, or even that of the whole starry galaxy, shrinks into
utter nothingness. Whether we shall adopt the conclusion
suggested must depend on the extent of our speculative audacity.
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