"As, therefore, in the electrolytic action, _induction_ appeared to be the _first_ step, and _decomposition_ the _second_ (the power of separating these steps from each other by giving the solid or fluid condition to the electrolyte being in our hands); as the induction was the same in its nature as that through air, glass, wax, &c. produced by any of the ordinary means; and as the whole effect in the electrolyte appeared to be an action of the particles thrown into a peculiar or polarized state, I was led to suspect that common induction itself was in all cases an _action of contiguous particles_ [A], and that electrical action at a distance (i.e. ordinary inductive action) never occurred except through the influence of the intervening matter."