,,transcriber',s ,,note ,this is ,volume #a of a #c-volume set4 ,the other two volumes are also ,italic text is denoted by underscores4 ,obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources4 ,more detail can be found at the end of the book4 ,illustration3 ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,l4,l4,d4 ,publish'd ,april #a1 #ahjf2 by ,longman1 ,rees1 ,hurst1 ,orme1 ,paternoster ,row4 ,the ,,works ,of ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,l4,l4,d4 ,,vol4 #a4 ,illustration3 7,engraved by ,w4 ,g4 ,cooke47 ,,printed1 for ,longman1 ,hurst1 ,rees1 ,orme1 ,paternoster ,row1 ,london4 ,,the ,,complete ,,works1 ,,in ,,philosophy1 ,,politics1 ,,and ,,morals1 ,,of ,,the ,,late ,,dr4 ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,,now ,,first ,,collected ,,and ,,arranged3 ,,with ,,memoirs ,,of ,,his ,,early ,,life1 ,,written ,,by ,,himself4 ,,in ,,three ,,volumes4 ,,vol4 ,i4 ,london3 ,,printed ,,for ,j4 ,,johnson1 ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,church-,,yard2 ,,and ,,longman1 ,,hurst1 ,,rees ,,and ,,orme1 ,,paternoster-,,row4 #ahjf4 ,,advertisement4 ,the works of ,dr4 ,franklin have been often partially collected1 never before brought together in one uniform publication4 ,the first collection was made by ,mr4 ,peter ,collinson in the year #agea4 ,it consisted of letters1 communicated by the author to the editor1 on one subject1 electricity1 and formed a pamphlet only1 of which the price was half-a-crown4 ,it was enlarged in #ageb1 by a second communication on the same subject1 and in #aged1 by a third1 till1 in #agff1 by the addition of letters and papers on other philosophical subjects1 it amounted to a quarto volume of #ejj pages4 ,ten years after1 in #aggi1 another collection was made1 by a different editor1 in one volume1 printed both in quarto and octavo1 of papers not contained in the preceding collection1 under the title of ,political1 ,miscellaneous1 and ,philosophical ,pieces4 ,in #aghg1 a third collection appeared in a thin octavo volume1 entitled ,philosophical and ,miscellaneous ,papers4 ,and lastly1 in #agic1 a fourth was published1 in two volumes1 crown octavo1 consisting of ,memoirs of ,dr4 ,franklin's ,life1 and ,essays humourous1 moral and literary1 chiefly in the ,manner of the ,spectator4 ,in the present volumes will be found all the different collections we have enumerated1 together with the various papers of the same author1 that have been published in separate pamphlets1 or inserted in foreign collections of his works1 or in the ,transactions of our own or of foreign philosophical societies1 or in our own or foreign newspapers and magazines1 as far as discoverable by the editor1 who has been assisted in the research by a gentleman in ,america4 ,among these papers some1 we conceive1 will be new to the ,english reader on this side of the ,atlantic2 particularly a series of essays entitled ,the ,busy-,body1 written1 as ,dr4 ,franklin tells us in his ,life1 when he was an assiduous imitator of ,addison2 and a pamphlet1 entitled ,plain ,truth1 with which he is said to have commenced his political career as a writer4 ,we hoped to have been enabled to add1 what would have been equally new1 and still more acceptable1 a genuine copy of the ,life of our author1 as written by himself2 but in this hope we are disappointed1 and we are in consequence obliged to content ourselves with a translation1 which has been already before the public1 from a copy in the ,french language1 coming no farther down than the year #agca2 and a continuation of his history from that period1 by the late ,dr4 ,stuber of ,philadelphia4 ,the character of ,dr4 ,franklin1 as a philosopher1 a politician1 and a moralist1 is too well known to require illustration1 and his writings1 from their interesting nature1 and the fascinating simplicity of their style1 are too highly esteemed1 for any apology to be necessary for so large a collection of them1 unless it should be deemed necessary by the individual to whom ,dr4 ,franklin in his will consigned his manuscripts3 and to him our apology will consist in a reference to his own extraordinary conduct4 ,in bequeathing his papers1 it was no doubt the intention of the testator1 that the world should have the chance of being benefited by their publication4 ,it was so understood by the person in question1 his grandson1 who1 accordingly1 shortly after the death of his great relative1 hastened to ,london1 the best mart for literary property1 employed an amanuensis for many months in copying1 ransacked our public libraries that nothing might escape1 and at length had so far prepared the works of ,dr4 ,franklin for the press1 that proposals were made by him to several of our principal booksellers for the sale of them4 ,they were to form three quarto volumes1 and were to contain all the writings1 published and unpublished1 of ,franklin1 with ,memoirs of his ,life1 brought down by himself to the year #ageg1 and continued to his death by the legatee4 ,they were to be published in three different languages1 and the countries corresponding to those languages1 ,france1 ,germany1 and ,england1 on the same day4 ,the terms asked for the copyright of the ,english edition were high1 amounting to several thousand pounds1 which occasioned a little demur2 but eventually they would no doubt have been obtained4 ,nothing more however was heard of the proposals or the work1 in this its fair market4 ,the proprietor1 it seems1 had found a bidder of a different description in some emissary of government1 whose object was to withhold the manuscripts from the world1 not to benefit it by their publication2 and they thus either passed into other hands1 or the person to whom they were bequeathed received a remuneration for suppressing them4 ,this at least has been asserted1 by a variety of persons1 both in this country and ,america1 of whom some were at the time intimate with the grandson1 and not wholly unacquainted with the machinations of the ministry2 and the silence1 which has been observed for so many years respecting the publication1 gives additional credibility to the report4 ,what the manuscripts contained1 that should have excited the jealousy of government1 we are unable1 as we have never seen them1 positively to affirm2 but1 from the conspicuous part acted by the author in the ,american revolution and the wars connected with it1 it is by no means difficult to guess2 and of this we are sure1 from his character1 that no disposition of his writings could have been more contrary to his intentions or wishes4 ,we have only to add1 that in the present collection1 which is probably all that will ever be published of the works of this extraordinary man1 the papers are methodically arranged1 the moral and philosophical ones according to their subjects1 the political ones1 as nearly as may be1 according to their dates2 that we have given1 in notes1 the authorities for ascribing the different pieces to ,franklin2 that where no title existed1 to indicate the nature of a letter or paper1 we have prefixed a title2 and lastly1 that we have compiled an index to the whole1 which is placed at the beginning1 instead of1 as is usual1 at the end of the work1 to render the volumes more equal4 ,april #g1 #ahjf4 ,,contents4 ,,vol4 ,i4 ,page4 ,,life of ,dr4 ,,franklin #a ,,letters ,,and ,,papers ,,on ,,electricity4 ,introductory ,letter4 #afi ,wonderful effect of points4--,positive and negative electricity4--,electrical kiss4--,counterfeit spider4--,simple and commodious electrical machine4 #agj ,observations on the ,leyden bottle1 with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces4 #agi ,further experiments confirming the preceding observations4--,leyden bottle analysed4--,electrical battery4--,magical ,picture4--,electrical wheel or jack4--,electrical feast4 #ahg ,observations and suppositions1 towards forming a new hypothesis1 for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts4 #bjc ,introductory letter to some additional papers4 #baf ,opinions and conjectures1 concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter1 and the means of preserving buildings1 ships1 c4 from lightning1 arising from experiments and observations made at ,philadelphia1 #agdi4--;,golden fish4--,extraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable4 #bag ,additional experiments3 proving that the ,leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged1 than before3 nor less when discharged3 that in discharging1 the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time1 as some have thought1 but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire1 or an equal quantity3 the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity1 when the inner surface is in a positive state4 #bde ,accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass4--,effect of lightning on the needle of compasses1 explained4--,gunpowder fired by the electric flame4 #bdg ,unlimited nature of the electric force4 #bej ,the terms1 electric per se1 and non-electric1 improper4--,new relation between metals and water4--,effects of air in electrical experiments4--,experiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid4 #beb ,mistake1 that only metals and water were conductors1 rectified4--,supposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere4--,theorem concerning light4--,poke-weed a cure for cancers4 #bef ,new experiments4--,paradoxes inferred from them4--,difference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged1 and a globe of sulphur4--,difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative4 #bfa ,probable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters4 #bfd ,reasons for supposing1 that the glass globe charges positively1 and the sulphur negatively4--,hint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling4 ibid4 ,electrical kite4 #bfg ,hypothesis1 of the sea being the grand source of lightning1 retracted4--,positive1 and sometimes negative1 electricity of the clouds discovered4--,new experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery4--,observations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid4--,size of rods for conductors to buildings4--,appearance of a thunder-cloud described4 #bfi ,additional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds4--,new method of ascertaining it4 #bhd ,electrical experiments1 with an attempt to account for their several phenomena1 c4 #bhf ,experiments made in pursuance of those made by ,mr4 ,canton1 dated ,december #f1 #agec2 with explanations1 by ,mr4 ,benjamin ,franklin4 #bid ,turkey killed by electricity4--,effect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment4 #bii ,differences in the qualities of glass4--,account of ,domien1 an electrician and traveller4--,conjectures respecting the pores of glass4--,origin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning4--,no satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified4--,six men knocked down at once by an electrical shock4--,reflections on the spirit of invention4 #cja ,beccaria's work on electricity4--,sentiments of ,franklin on pointed rods1 not fully understood in ,europe4--,effect of lightning on the church of ,newbury1 in ,new ,england4--,remarks on the subject4 #cji ,notice of another packet of letters4 #cac ,extract of a letter from a gentleman in ,boston1 to ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,esq4 concerning the crooked direction1 and the source of lightning1 and the swiftness of the electric fire4 #cad ,observations on the subjects of the preceding letter4--,reasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning4--,reasons for doubting this hypothesis4--,improvement in a globe for raising the electric fire4 #cbj ,effect of lightning on captain ,waddel's compass1 and the ,dutch church at ,new ,york4 #cbd ,proposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an ,electric spark1 in moving through any given space4 #cbg ,experiments on boiling water1 and glass heated by boiling water4--,doctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted4--,electricity of the atmosphere at different heights4--,electrical horse-race4--,electrical thermometer4--,in what cases the electrical fire produces heat4--,wire lengthened by electricity4--,good effect of a rod on the house of ,mr4 ,west1 of ,philadelphia4 #cca ,answer to some of the foregoing subjects4--,how long the ,leyden bottle may be kept charged4--,heated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid4--,electrical attraction and repulsion4--,reply to other subjects in the preceding paper4--,numerous ways of kindling fire4--,explosion of water4--,knobs and points4 #cdc ,accounts from ,carolina 7mentioned in the foregoing letter7 of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there1 for securing them against lightning4 #cfa ,mr4 ,william ,maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod1 dated at ,indian ,land1 in ,south ,carolina1 ,aug4 #bh1 #agfj4 #cfb ,on the electricity of the tourmalin4 #cfi ,new observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere4 #cgc ,flash of lightning that struck ,st4 ,bride's steeple4 #cgd ,best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning4 #cge ,of lightning1 and the methods 7now used in ,america7 of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects4 #cgg ,st4 ,bride's steeple4--,utility of electrical conductors to ,steeples4--,singular kind of glass tube4 #chb ,experiments1 observations1 and facts1 tending to support the opinion of the utility of long pointed rods1 for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning4 #chc ,on the utility of electrical conductors4 #djj ,on the effects of electricity in paralytic cases4 #dja ,electrical experiments on amber4 #djc ,on the electricity of the fogs in ,ireland4 #dje ,mode of ascertaining1 whether the power1 giving a shock to those who touch either the ,surinam eel1 or the torpedo1 be electrical4 #djh ,on the analogy between magnetism and electricity4 #daj ,concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity4 #dac ,answer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the ,leyden experiment4 #daf ,concerning the ,leyden bottle4 #dah ,,appendix4 ,no4 #a4 ,account of experiments made in electricity at ,marly4 #dbj ,a more particular account of the same1 c4 #dbb ,letter of ,mr4 ,w4 ,watson1 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 to the ,royal ,society1 concerning the electrical experiments in ,england upon thunder-clouds4 #dbg ,no4 #b4 ,remarks on the ,abb ,nollet's ,letters to ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,esq4 of ,philadelphia1 on electricity4 #dcj ,,list ,,of ,,the ,,plates ,,plate ,i4 ,electrical ,experiments facing page #ahb ,,plate ,,ii4 ,electrical ,air ,thermometer #ccf ,,plate ,,iii4 ,cavendish ,experiment #cdh ,,plate ,,iv4 ,lightning ,rod ,experiments #chh ,,errata4 ,page4 ,line4 #b #aj3 for true1 read me4 #e #e3 for was born1 read who was born4 #bj #a3 for ,tryon1 read ,tyron's4 ib4 #g from the bottom3 for put to blush1 read put to the blush4 ib4 #d from the bottom3 for myself1 read by myself4 #ae #d3 for collection1 read works4 #ba #i from the bottom3 for or1 read nor4 #be #d from the bottom3 for pasquenades1 read pasquinades4 #bh #g3 dele the4 ib4 #ab3 for printer1 read a printer4 #bh #c from the bottom3 for my old favourite work1 ,bunyan's ,voyages1 read my old favourite ,bunyan4 #dj #e3 for money1 read in money4 #dd #c3 for ,bernet1 read ,burnet4 ib4 #ag3 for unabled1 read unable4 #ej #ai3 for ingenuous1 read ingenious4 #fg #e3 dele bridge4 #hj #c from the bottom3 for into1 read into which4 #bce #ba3 substitute for 994 #bfd #b3 for course read cause4 ,,life ,,of ,,dr4 ,,benjamin ,,franklin4 ,,life ,,of ,,dr4 ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 c4 c4 ,,my ,,dear ,,son1 ,i have amused myself with collecting some little anecdotes of my family4 ,you may remember the enquiries ,i made1 when you were with me in ,england1 among such of my relations as were then living2 and the journey ,i undertook for that purpose4 ,to be acquainted with the particulars of my parentage and life1 many of which are unknown to you1 ,i flatter myself will afford the same pleasure to you as to me4 ,i shall relate them upon paper3 it will be an agreeable employment of a week's uninterrupted leisure1 which ,i promise myself during my present retirement in the country4 ,there are also other motives which induce me to the undertaking4 ,from the bosom of poverty and obscurity1 in which ,i drew my first breath1 and spent my earliest years1 ,i have raised myself to a state of opulence and to some degree of celebrity in the world4 ,a constant good fortune has attended me through every period of life to my present advanced age2 and my descendants may be desirous of learning what were the means of which ,i made use1 and which1 thanks to the assisting hand of providence1 have proved so eminently successful4 ,they may also1 should they ever be placed in a similar situation1 derive some advantage from my narrative4 ,when ,i reflect1 as ,i frequently do1 upon the felicity ,i have enjoyed1 ,i sometimes say to myself1 that1 were the offer made me1 ,i would engage to run again1 from beginning to end1 the same career of life4 ,all ,i would ask1 should be the privilege of an author1 to correct1 in a second edition1 certain errors of the first4 ,i could wish1 likewise if it were in my power1 to change some trivial incidents and events for others more favourable4 ,were this1 however1 denied me1 still would ,i not decline the offer4 ,but since a repetition of life cannot take place1 there is nothing which1 in my opinion1 so nearly resembles it1 as to call to mind all its circumstances1 and1 to render their remembrance more durable1 commit them to writing4 ,by thus employing myself1 ,i shall yield to the inclination1 so natural in old men1 to talk of themselves and their exploits1 and may freely follow my bent1 without being tiresome to those who1 from respect to my age1 might think themselves obliged to listen to me2 as they will be at liberty to read me or not as they please4 ,in fine--and ,i may as well avow it1 since nobody would believe me were ,i to deny it--,i shall perhaps1 by this employment1 gratify my vanity4 ,scarcely indeed have ,i ever read or heard the introductory phrase1 ,i may say without vanity1 but some striking and characteristic instance of vanity has immediately followed4 ,the generality of men hate vanity in others1 however strongly they may be tinctured with it themselves3 for myself1 ,i pay obeisance to it wherever ,i meet with it1 persuaded that it is advantageous1 as well to the individual whom it governs1 as to those who are within the sphere of its influence4 ,of consequence1 it would in many cases1 not be wholly absurd1 that a man should count his vanity among the other sweets of life1 and give thanks to providence for the blessing4 ,and here let me with all humility acknowledge1 that to divine providence ,i am indebted for the felicity ,i have hitherto enjoyed4 ,it is that power alone which has furnished me with the means ,i have employed1 and that has crowned them with success4 ,my faith in this respect leads me to hope1 though ,i cannot count upon it1 that the divine goodness will still be exercised towards me1 either by prolonging the duration of my happiness to the close of life1 or by giving me fortitude to support any melancholy reverse1 which may happen to me1 as to so many others4 ,my future fortune is unknown but to ,him in whose hand is our destiny1 and who can make our very afflictions subservient to our benefit4 ,one of my uncles1 desirous1 like myself1 of collecting anecdotes of our family1 gave me some notes1 from which ,i have derived many particulars respecting our ancestors4 ,from these ,i learn1 that they had lived in the same village 7,eaton in ,northamptonshire17 upon a freehold of about thirty acres1 for the space at least of three hundred years4 ,how long they had resided there prior to that period1 my uncle had been unable to discover2 probably ever since the institution of surnames1 when they took the appellation of ,franklin1 which had formerly been the name of a particular order of individuals4#a ,this petty estate would not have sufficed for their subsistence1 had they not added the trade of blacksmith1 which was perpetuated in the family down to my uncle's time1 the eldest son having been uniformly brought up to this employment3 a custom which both he and my father observed with respect to their eldest sons4 ,in the researches ,i made at ,eaton1 ,i found no account of their births1 marriages1 and deaths1 earlier than the year #aeee2 the parish register not extending farther back than that period4 ,this register informed me1 that ,i was the youngest son of the youngest branch of the family1 counting five generations4 ,my grandfather1 ,thomas1 who was born in #aeih1 lived at ,eaton till he was too old to continue his trade1 when he retired to ,banbury in ,oxfordshire1 where his son ,john1 who was a dyer1 resided1 and with whom my father was apprenticed4 ,he died1 and was buried there3 we saw his monument in #ageh4 ,his eldest son lived in the family house at ,eaton1 which he bequeathed1 with the land belonging to it1 to his only daughter2 who1 in concert with her husband1 ,mr4 ,fisher of ,wellingborough1 afterwards sold it to ,mr4 ,estead1 the present proprietor4 ,my grandfather had four surviving sons1 ,thomas1 ,john1 ,benjamin1 and ,josias4 ,i shall give you such particulars of them as my memory will furnish1 not having my papers here1 in which you will find a more minute account1 if they are not lost during my absence4 ,thomas had learned the trade of a blacksmith under his father2 but possessing a good natural understanding1 he improved it by study1 at the solicitation of a gentleman of the name of ,palmer1 who was at that time the principal inhabitant of the village1 and who encouraged1 in like manner1 all my uncles to cultivate their minds4 ,thomas thus rendered himself competent to the functions of a country attorney2 soon became an essential personage in the affairs of the village2 and was one of the chief movers of every public enterprise1 as well relative to the county as the town of ,northampton4 ,a variety of remarkable incidents were told us of him at ,eaton4 ,after enjoying the esteem and patronage of ,lord ,halifax1 he died1 ,january #f1 #agjb1 precisely four years before ,i was born4 ,the recital that was made us of his life and character1 by some aged persons of the village1 struck you1 ,i remember1 as extraordinary1 from its analogy to what you knew of myself4 ,had he died1 said you1 just four years later1 one might have supposed a transmigration of souls4 ,john1 to the best of my belief1 was brought up to the trade of a wool-dyer4 ,benjamin served his apprenticeship in ,london to a silk-dyer4 ,he was an industrious man3 ,i remember him well2 for1 while ,i was a child1 he joined my father at ,boston1 and lived for some years in the house with us4 ,a particular affection had always subsisted between my father and him2 and ,i was his godson4 ,he arrived to a great age4 ,he left behind him two quarto volumes of poems in manuscript1 consisting of little fugitive pieces addressed to his friends4 ,he had invented a short-hand1 which he taught me1 but having never made use of it1 ,i have now forgotten it4 ,he was a man of piety1 and a constant attendant on the best preachers1 whose sermons he took a pleasure in writing down according1 to the expeditory method he had devised4 ,many volumes were thus collected by him4 ,he was also extremely fond of politics1 too much so1 perhaps1 for his situation4 ,i lately found in ,london a collection which he had made of all the principal pamphlets relative to public affairs1 from the year #afda to #agag4 ,many volumes are wanting1 as appears by the series of numbers2 but there still remain eight in folio1 and twenty-four in quarto and octavo4 ,the collection had fallen into the hands of a second-hand bookseller1 who1 knowing me by having sold me some books1 brought it to me4 ,my uncle1 it seems1 had left it behind him on his departure for ,america1 about fifty years ago4 ,i found various notes of his writing in the margins4 ,his grandson1 ,samuel1 is now living at ,boston4 ,our humble family had early embraced the ,reformation4 ,they remained faithfully attached during the reign of ,queen ,mary1 when they were in danger of being molested on account of their zeal against popery4 ,they had an ,english bible1 and1 to conceal it the more securely1 they conceived the project of fastening it1 open1 with pack-threads across the leaves1 on the inside of the lid of the close-stool4 ,when my great-grandfather wished to read to his family1 he reversed the lid of the close-stool upon his knees1 and passed the leaves from one side to the other1 which were held down on each by the pack-thread4 ,one of the children was stationed at the door1 to give notice if he saw the proctor 7an officer of the spiritual court7 make his appearance3 in that case1 the lid was restored to its place1 with the ,bible concealed under it as before4 ,i had this anecdote from my uncle ,benjamin4 ,the whole family preserved its attachment to the ,church of ,england till towards the close of the reign of ,charles ,,ii4 when certain ministers1 who had been ejected as nonconformists1 having held conventicles in ,northamptonshire1 they were joined by ,benjamin and ,josias1 who adhered to them ever after4 ,the rest of the family continued in the episcopal church4 ,my father1 ,josias1 married early in life4 ,he went1 with his wife and three children1 to ,new ,england1 about the year #afhb4 ,conventicles being at that time prohibited by law1 and frequently disturbed1 some considerable persons of his acquaintance determined to go to ,america1 where they hoped to enjoy the free exercise of their religion1 and my father was prevailed on to accompany them4 ,my father had also by the same wife1 four children born in ,america1 and ten others by a second wife1 making in all seventeen4 ,i remember to have seen thirteen seated together at his table1 who all arrived to years of maturity1 and were married4 ,i was the last of the sons1 and the youngest child1 excepting two daughters4 ,i was born at ,boston in ,new ,england4 ,my mother1 the second wife1 was ,abiah ,folger1 daughter of ,peter ,folger1 one of the first colonists of ,new ,england1 of whom ,cotton ,mather makes honourable mention1 in his ,ecclesiastical ,history of that province1 as a pious and learned ,englishman1 if ,i rightly recollect his expressions4 ,i have been told of his having written a variety of little pieces2 but there appears to be only one in print1 which ,i met with many years ago4 ,it was published in the year #afge1 and is in familiar verse1 agreeably to the taste of the times and the country4 ,the author addresses himself to the governors for the time being1 speaks for liberty of conscience1 and in favour of the anabaptists1 quakers1 and other sectaries1 who had suffered persecution4 ,to this persecution he attributes the war with the natives1 and other calamities which afflicted the country1 regarding them as the judgments of ,god in punishment of so odious an offence1 and he exhorts the government to the repeal of laws so contrary to charity4 ,the poem appeared to be written with a manly freedom and a pleasing simplicity4 ,i recollect the six concluding lines1 though ,i have forgotten the order of words of the two first2 the sense of which was1 that his censures were dictated by benevolence1 and that1 of consequence1 he wished to be known as the author2 because1 said he1 ,i hate from my very soul dissimulation3 ,from ,sherburn1#b where ,i dwell1 ,i therefore put my name1 ,your friend1 who means you well1 ,,peter ,,folger4 ,my brothers were all put apprentices to different trades4 ,with respect to myself1 ,i was sent1 at the age of eight years1 to a grammar-school4 ,my father destined me for the church1 and already regarded me as the chaplain of the family4 ,the promptitude with which from my infancy ,i had learned to read1 for ,i do not remember to have been ever without this acquirement1 and the encouragement of his friends1 who assured him that ,i should one day certainly become a man of letters1 confirmed him in this design4 ,my uncle ,benjamin approved also of the scheme1 and promised to give me all his volumes of sermons1 written1 as ,i have said1 in the short-hand of his invention1 if ,i would take the pains to learn it4 ,i remained1 however1 scarcely a year at the grammar-school1 although1 in this short interval1 ,i had risen from the middle to the head of my class1 from thence to the class immediately above1 and was to pass1 at the end of the year1 to the one next in order4 ,but my father1 burdened with a numerous family1 found that he was incapable1 without subjecting himself to difficulties1 of providing for the expences of a collegiate education2 and considering besides1 as ,i heard him say to his friends1 that persons so educated were often poorly provided for1 he renounced his first intentions1 took me from the grammar-school1 and sent me to a school for writing and arithmetic1 kept by a ,mr4 ,george ,brownwell1 who was a skilful master1 and succeeded very well in his profession by employing gentle means only1 and such as were calculated to encourage his scholars4 ,under him ,i soon acquired an excellent hand2 but ,i failed in arithmetic1 and made therein no sort of progress4 ,at ten years of age1 ,i was called home to assist my father in his occupation1 which was that of a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler2 a business to which he had served no apprenticeship1 but which he embraced on his arrival in ,new ,england1 because he found his own1 that of dyer1 in too little request to enable him to maintain his family1 ,i was accordingly employed in cutting the wicks1 filling the moulds1 taking care of the shop1 carrying messages1 c4 ,this business displeased me1 and ,i felt a strong inclination for a sea life2 but my father set his face against it4 ,the vicinity of the water1 however1 gave me frequent opportunities1 of venturing myself both upon and within it1 and ,i soon acquired the art of swimming1 and of managing a boat4 ,when embarked with other children1 the helm was commonly deputed to me1 particularly on difficult occasions2 and1 in every other project1 ,i was almost always the leader of the troop1 whom ,i sometimes involved in embarrassments4 ,i shall give an instance of this1 which demonstrates an early disposition of mind for public enterprises1 though the one in question was not conducted by justice4 ,the mill-pond was terminated on one side by a marsh1 upon the borders of which we were accustomed to take our stand1 at high water1 to angle for small fish4 ,by dint of walking1 we had converted the place into a perfect quagmire4 ,my proposal was to erect a wharf that should afford us firm footing2 and ,i pointed out to my companions a large heap of stones1 intended for the building a new house near the marsh1 and which were well adapted for our purpose4 ,accordingly1 when the workmen retired in the evening1 ,i assembled a number of my play-fellows1 and by labouring diligently1 like ants1 sometimes four of us uniting our strength to carry a single stone1 we removed them all1 and constructed our little quay4 ,the workmen were surprised the next morning at not finding their stones2 which had been conveyed to our wharf4 ,enquiries were made respecting the authors of this conveyance2 we were discovered2 complaints were exhibited against us2 and many of us underwent correction on the part of our parents2 and though ,i strenuously defended the utility of the work1 my father at length convinced me1 that nothing which was not strictly honest could be useful4 ,it will not1 perhaps1 be uninteresting to you to know what a sort of man my father was4 ,he had an excellent constitution1 was of a middle size1 but well made and strong1 and extremely active in whatever he undertook4 ,he designed with a degree of neatness1 and knew a little of music4 ,his voice was sonorous and agreeable2 so that when he sung a psalm or hymn1 with the accompaniment of his violin1 as was his frequent practice in an evening1 when the labours of the day were finished1 it was truly delightful to hear him4 ,he was versed also in mechanics1 and could1 upon occasion1 use the tools of a variety of trades4 ,but his greatest excellence was a sound understanding and solid judgment1 in matters of prudence1 both in public and private life4 ,in the former1 indeed1 he never engaged1 because his numerous family1 and the mediocrity of his fortune1 kept him unremittingly employed in the duties of his profession4 ,but ,i well remember1 that the leading men of the place used frequently to come and ask his advice respecting the affairs of the town1 or of the church to which he belonged1 and that they paid much deference to his opinion4 ,individuals were also in the habit of consulting him in their private affairs1 and he was often chosen arbiter between contending parties4 ,he was fond of having at his table1 as often as possible1 some friends or well-informed neighbours1 capable of rational conversation1 and he was always careful to introduce useful or ingenious topics of discourse1 which might tend to form the minds of his children4 ,by this means he early attracted our attention to what was just1 prudent1 and beneficial in the conduct of life4 ,he never talked of the meats which appeared upon the table1 never discussed whether they were well or ill dressed1 of a good or bad flavour1 high-seasoned or otherwise1 preferable or inferior to this or that dish of a similar kind4 ,thus accustomed1 from my infancy1 to the utmost inattention as to these objects1 ,i have been perfectly regardless of what kind of food was before me2 and ,i pay so little attention to it even now1 that it would be a hard matter for me to recollect1 a few hours after ,i had dined1 of what my dinner had consisted4 ,when travelling1 ,i have particularly experienced the advantage of this habit2 for it has often happened to me to be in company with persons1 who1 having a more delicate1 because a more exercised taste1 have suffered in many cases considerable inconvenience2 while1 as to myself1 ,i have had nothing to desire4 ,my mother was likewise possessed of an excellent constitution4 ,she suckled all her ten children1 and ,i never heard either her or my father complain of any other disorder than that of which they died3 my father at the age of eighty-seven1 and my mother at eighty-five4 ,they are buried together at ,boston1 where1 a few years ago1 ,i placed a marble over their grave1 with this inscription3 ,here lie ,,josias ,,franklin and ,,abiah his wife3 ,they lived together with reciprocal affection for fifty-nine years2 and without private fortune1 without lucrative employment1 by assiduous labour and honest industry1 decently supported a numerous family1 and educated with success1 thirteen children1 and seven grand children4 ,let this example1 reader1 encourage thee diligently to discharge the duties of thy calling1 and to rely on the support of divine providence1 ,he was pious and prudent1 ,she discreet and virtuous4 ,their youngest son1 from a sentiment of filial duty1 consecrates this stone to their memory4 ,i perceive1 by my rambling digressions1 that ,i am growing old4 ,but we do not dress for a private company as for a formal ball4 ,this deserves1 perhaps1 the name of negligence4 ,to return4 ,i thus continued employed in my father's trade for the space of two years2 that is to say1 till ,i arrived at twelve years of age4 ,about this time my brother ,john1 who had served his apprenticeship in ,london1 having quitted my father1 and being married and settled in business on his own account at ,rhode ,island1 ,i was destined1 to all appearance to supply his place1 and be a candle-maker all my life3 but my dislike of this occupation continuing1 my father was apprehensive1 that1 if a more1 agreeable one were not offered me1 ,i might play the truant and escape to sea2 as1 to his extreme mortification1 my brother ,josias had done4 ,he therefore took me sometimes to see masons1 coopers1 braziers1 joiners1 and other mechanics1 employed at their work2 in order to discover the bent of my inclination1 and fix it if he could upon some occupation that might retain me on shore4 ,i have since1 in consequence of these visits1 derived no small pleasure from seeing skilful workmen handle their tools2 and it has proved of considerable benefit to have acquired thereby sufficient knowledge to be able to make little things for myself1 when ,i have had no mechanic at hand1 and to construct small machines for my experiments1 while the idea ,i have conceived has been fresh and strongly impressed on my imagination4 ,my father at length decided that ,i should be a cutler1 and ,i was placed for some days upon trial with my cousin ,samuel1 son of my uncle ,benjamin1 who had learned this trade in ,london1 and had established himself at ,boston4 ,but the premium he required for my apprenticeship displeasing my father1 ,i was recalled home4 ,from my earliest years ,i had been passionately fond of reading1 and ,i laid out in books all the money ,i could procure4 ,i was particularly pleased with accounts of voyages4 ,my first acquisition was ,bunyan's works in small separate volumes4 ,these ,i afterwards sold in order to buy an historical collection by ,r4 ,burton1 which consisted of small cheap volumes1 amounting in all to about forty or fifty4 ,my father's little library was principally made up of books of practical and polemical theology4 ,i read the greatest part of them4 ,i have since often regretted that at a time when ,i had so great a thirst for knowledge1 more eligible books had not fallen into my hands1 as it was then a point decided that ,i should not be educated for the church4 ,there was also among my father's books1 ,plutarch's ,lives1 in which ,i read continually1 and ,i still regard as advantageously employed the time devoted to them4 ,i found besides a work of ,de ,foe's1 entitled an ,essay on ,projects1 from which1 perhaps1 ,i derived impressions that have since influenced some of the principal events of my life4 ,my inclination for books at last determined my father to make me a printer1 though he had already a son in that profession4 ,my brother had returned from ,england in #agag1 with a press and types1 in order to establish a printing-house at ,boston4 ,this business pleased me much better than that of my father1 though ,i had still a predilection for the sea4 ,to prevent the effects which might result from this inclination1 my father was impatient to see me engaged with my brother4 ,i held back for some time2 at length1 however1 ,i suffered myself to be persuaded1 and signed my indentures1 being then only twelve years of age4 ,it was agreed that ,i should serve as an apprentice to the age of twenty-one1 and should receive journeyman's wages only during the last year4 ,in a very short time ,i made great proficiency in this business1 and became very serviceable to my brother4 ,i had now an opportunity of procuring better books4 ,the acquaintance ,i necessarily formed with booksellers' apprentices1 enabled me to borrow a volume now and then1 which ,i never failed to return punctually and without injury4 ,how often has it happened to me to pass the greater part of the night in reading by my bed-side1 when the book had been lent me in the evening1 and was to be returned the next morning1 lest it might be missed or wanted6 ,at length1 ,mr4 ,matthew ,adams1 an ingenious tradesman1 who had a handsome collection of books1 and who frequented our printing-house1 took notice of me4 ,he invited me to see his library1 and had the goodness to lend me any books ,i was desirous of reading4 ,i then took a strange fancy for poetry1 and composed several little pieces4 ,my brother1 thinking he might find his account in it1 encouraged me1 and engaged me to write two ballads4 ,one1 called the ,light-house ,tragedy1 contained an account of the shipwreck of captain ,worthilake and his two daughters2 the other was a sailor's song on the capture of the noted pirate called ,teach1 or ,blackbeard4 ,they were wretched verses in point of style1 mere blind-men's ditties4 ,when printed1 he dispatched me about the town to sell them4 ,the first had a prodigious run1 because the event was recent1 and had made a great noise4 ,my vanity was flattered by this success2 but my father checked my exultation1 by ridiculing my productions1 and telling me that versifiers were always poor4 ,i thus escaped the misfortune of being a very wretched poet4 ,but as the faculty of writing prose has been of great service to me in the course of my life1 and principally contributed to my advancement1 ,i shall relate by what means1 situated as ,i was1 ,i acquired the small skill ,i may possess in that way4 ,there was in the town another young man1 a great lover of books1 of the name of ,john ,collins1 with whom ,i was intimately connected4 ,we frequently engaged in dispute1 and were indeed so fond of argumentation1 that nothing was so agreeable to us as a war of words4 ,this contentious temper1 ,i would observe by the bye1 is in danger of becoming a very bad habit2 and frequently renders a man's company insupportable1 as being no otherwise capable of indulgence than by an indiscriminate contradiction4 ,independently of the acrimony and discord it introduces into conversation1 it is often productive of dislike1 and even hatred1 between persons to whom friendship is indispensibly necessary4 ,i acquired it by reading1 while ,i lived with my father1 books of religious controversy4 ,i have since remarked1 that men of sense seldom fall into this error3 lawyers1 fellows of universities1 and persons of every profession educated at ,edinburgh1 excepted4 ,collins and ,i fell one day into an argument1 relative to the education of women2 namely1 whether it was proper to instruct them in the sciences1 and whether they were competent to the study4 ,collins supported the negative1 and affirmed that the task was beyond their capacity4 ,i maintained the opposite opinion1 a little perhaps for the pleasure of disputing4 ,he was naturally more eloquent than ,i2 words flowed copiously from his lips2 and frequently ,i thought myself vanquished1 more by his volubility than by the force of his arguments4 ,we separated without coming to an agreement upon this point1 and as we were not to see each other again for some time1 ,i committed my thoughts to paper1 made a fair copy1 and sent it him4 ,he answered1 and ,i replied4 ,three or four letters had been written by each1 when my father chanced to light upon my papers and read them4 ,without entering into the merits of the cause1 he embraced the opportunity of speaking to me upon my manner of writing4 ,he observed1 that though ,i had the advantage of my adversary in correct spelling and pointing1 which ,i owed to my occupation1 ,i was greatly his inferior in elegance of expression1 in arrangement1 and perspicuity4 ,of this he convinced me by several examples4 ,i felt the justice of his remarks1 became more attentive to language1 and resolved to make every effort to improve my style4 ,amidst these resolves an odd volume of the ,spectator fell into my hands4 ,this was a publication ,i had never seen4 ,i bought the volume1 and read it again and again4 ,i was enchanted with it1 thought the style excellent1 and wished it were in my power to imitate it4 ,with this view ,i selected some of the papers1 made short summaries of the sense of each period1 and put them for a few days aside4 ,i then1 without looking at the book1 endeavoured to restore the essays to their due form1 and to express each thought at length1 as it was in the original1 employing the most appropriate words that occurred to my mind4 ,i afterwards compared my ,spectator with the original2 ,i perceived some faults1 which ,i corrected3 but ,i found that ,i wanted a fund of words1 if ,i may so express myself1 and a facility of recollecting and employing them1 which ,i thought ,i should by that time have acquired1 had ,i continued to make verses4 ,the continual need of words of the same meaning1 but of different lengths for the measure1 or of different sounds for the rhyme1 would have obliged me to seek for a variety of synonymes1 and have rendered me master of them4 ,from this belief1 ,i took some of the tales of the ,spectator and turned them into verse2 and after a time1 when ,i had sufficiently forgotten them1 ,i again converted them into prose4 ,sometimes also ,i mingled all my summaries together2 and a few weeks after1 endeavoured to arrange them in the best order1 before ,i attempted to form the periods and complete the essays4 ,this ,i did with a view of acquiring method in the arrangement of my thoughts4 ,on comparing afterwards my performance with the original1 many faults were apparent1 which ,i corrected2 but ,i had sometimes the satisfaction to think1 that1 in certain particulars of little importance1 ,i had been fortunate enough to improve the order of thought or the style2 and this encouraged me to hope that ,i should succeed1 in time1 in writing decently in the ,english language1 which was one of the great objects of my ambition4 ,the time which ,i devoted to these exercises1 and to reading1 was the evening after my day's labour was finished1 the morning before it began1 and ,sundays when ,i could escape attending divine service4 ,while ,i lived with my father1 he had insisted on my punctual attendance on public worship1 and ,i still indeed considered it as a duty1 but a duty which ,i thought ,i had no time to practise4 ,when about sixteen years of age1 a work of ,tyron's fell into my hands1 in which he recommends vegetable diet4 ,i determined to observe it4 ,my brother being a bachelor1 did not keep house1 but boarded with his apprentices in a neighbouring family4 ,my refusing to eat animal food was found inconvenient1 and ,i was often scolded for my singularity4 ,i attended to the mode in which ,tryon prepared some of his dishes1 particularly how to boil potatoes and rice1 and make hasty puddings4 ,i then said to my brother1 that if he would allow me per week half what he paid for my board1 ,i would undertake to maintain myself4 ,the offer was instantly embraced1 and ,i soon found that of what he gave me1 ,i was able to save half4 ,this was a new fund for the purchase of books2 and other advantages resulted to me from the plan4 ,when my brother and his workmen left the printing-house to go to dinner1 ,i remained behind2 and dispatching my frugal meal1 which frequently consisted of a biscuit only1 or a slice of bread and a bunch of raisins1 or a bun from the pastry-cook's1 with a glass of water1 ,i had the rest of the time1 till their return1 for study2 and my progress therein was proportioned to that clearness of ideas1 and quickness of conception1 which are the fruit of temperance in eating and drinking4 ,it was about this period1 that having one day been put to the blush for my ignorance in the art of calculation1 which ,i had twice failed to learn while at school1 ,i took ,cocker's ,treatise of ,arithmetic1 and went through it by myself with the utmost ease4 ,i also read a book of navigation by ,seller and ,sturmy1 and made myself master of the little geometry it contains1 but ,i never proceeded far in this science4 ,nearly at the same time ,i read ,locke on the ,human ,understanding1 and the ,art of ,thinking1 by ,messrs4 du ,port ,royal4 ,while labouring to form and improve my style1 ,i met with an ,english ,grammar1 which ,i believe was ,greenwood's1 having at the end of it two little essays on rhetoric and logic4 ,in the latter ,i found a model of disputation1 after the manner of ,socrates4 ,shortly after ,i procured ,xenophon's work1 entitled ,memorable ,things of ,socrates1 in which are various examples of the same method4 ,charmed to a degree of enthusiasm with this mode of disputing1 ,i adopted it1 and renouncing blunt contradiction1 and direct and positive argument1 ,i assumed the character of an humble questioner4 ,the perusal of ,shaftsbury and ,collins had made me a sceptic2 and being previously so as to many doctrines of ,christianity1 ,i found ,socrates's method to be both safest for myself1 as well as the most embarrassing to those against whom ,i employed it4 ,it soon afforded me singular pleasure2 ,i incessantly practised it2 and became very adroit in obtaining1 even from persons of superior understanding1 concessions of which they did not foresee the consequence4 ,thus ,i involved them in difficulties from which they were unable to extricate themselves1 and sometimes obtained victories1 which neither my cause nor my arguments merited4 ,this method ,i continued to employ for some years2 but ,i afterwards abandoned it by degrees1 retaining only the habit of expressing myself with modest diffidence1 and never making use1 when ,i advanced any proposition which might be controverted1 of the words certainly1 undoubtedly1 or any others that might give the appearance of being obstinately attached to my opinion4 ,i rather said1 ,i imagine1 ,i suppose1 or it appears to me1 that such a thing is so or so1 for such and such reasons2 or it is so1 if ,i am not mistaken4 ,this habit has1 ,i think1 been of considerable advantage to me1 when ,i have had occasion to impress my opinion on the minds of others1 and persuade them to the adoption of the measures ,i have suggested4 ,and since the chief ends of conversation are1 to inform or be informed1 to please or to persuade1 ,i could wish that intelligent or well-meaning men would not themselves diminish the power they possess of being useful1 by a positive and presumptuous manner of expressing themselves1 which scarcely ever fails to disgust the hearer1 and is only calculated to excite opposition1 and defeat every purpose for which the faculty of speech has been bestowed on man4 ,in short1 if you wish to inform1 a positive and dogmatical manner of advancing your opinion may provoke contradiction1 and prevent your being heard with attention4 ,on the other hand1 if1 with a desire of being informed1 and of benefiting by the knowledge of others1 you express yourselves as being strongly attached to your own opinions1 modest and sensible men1 who do not love disputation1 will leave you in tranquil possession of your errors4 ,by following such a method1 you can rarely hope to please your auditors1 conciliate their good-will1 or work conviction on those whom you may be desirous of gaining over to your views4 ,pope judiciously observes1 ,men must be taught1 as if you taught them not1 ,and things unknown propos'd--as things forgot4 ,and in the same poem he afterwards advises us ,to speak1 though sure1 with seeming diffidence4 ,he might have added to these lines1 one that he has coupled elsewhere1 in my opinion1 with less propriety4 ,it is this3 ,for want of modesty is want of sense4 ,if you ask why ,i say with less propriety1 ,i must give you the two lines together3 ,immodest words admit of no defence1 ,for want of decency is want of sense4 ,now want of sense1 when a man has the misfortune to be so circumstanced1 is it not a kind of excuse for want of modesty8 ,and would not the verses have been more accurate if they had been constructed thus3 ,immodest words admit but this defence1 ,that want of decency is want of sense4 ,but ,i leave the decision of this to better judges than myself4 ,in #agbj1 or #agba1 my brother began to print a new public paper4 ,it was the second that made its appearance in ,america1 and was entitled1 ,the ,new ,england ,courant4 ,the only one that existed before was the ,boston ,news ,letter4 ,some of his friends1 ,i remember1 would have dissuaded him from this undertaking1 as a thing that was not likely to succeed2 a single newspaper being1 in their opinion1 sufficient for all ,america4 ,at present1 however1 in #agga1 there are no less than twenty-five4 ,but he carried his project into execution1 and ,i was employed in distributing the copies to his customers1 after having assisted in composing and working them off4 ,among his friends he had a number of literary characters1 who1 as an amusement1 wrote short essays for the paper1 which gave it reputation and increased the sale4 ,these gentlemen frequently came to our house4 ,i heard the conversation that passed1 and the accounts they gave of the favourable reception of their writings with the public4 ,i was tempted to try my hand among them2 but1 being still a child as it were1 ,i was fearful that my brother might be unwilling to print in his paper any performance of which he should know me to be the author4 ,i therefore contrived to disguise my hand1 and having written an anonymous piece1 ,i placed it at night under the door of the printing-house1 where it was found the next morning4 ,my brother communicated it to his friends1 when they came as usual to see him1 who read it1 commented upon it within my hearing1 and ,i had the exquisite pleasure to find that it met with their approbation1 and that in the various conjectures they made respecting the author1 no one was mentioned who did not enjoy a high reputation in the country for talents and genius4 ,i now supposed myself fortunate in my judges1 and began to suspect that they were not such excellent writers as ,i had hitherto supposed them4 ,be this as it may1 encouraged by this little adventure1 ,i wrote1 and sent to press in the same way1 many other pieces1 which were equally approved3 keeping the secret till my slender stock of information and knowledge for such performances was pretty completely exhausted1 when ,i made myself known4 ,my brother1 upon this discovery1 began to entertain a little more respect for me2 but he still regarded himself as my master1 and treated me as an apprentice4 ,he thought himself entitled to the same services from me1 as from any other person4 ,on the contrary1 ,i conceived that in many instances1 he was too rigorous1 and that1 on the part of a brother1 ,i had a right to expect greater indulgence4 ,our disputes were frequently brought before my father2 and either my brother was generally wrong1 or ,i was the better pleader of the two1 for judgment was commonly given in my favour4 ,but my brother was passionate1 and often had recourse to blows--a circumstance which ,i took in very ill part4 ,this severe and tyrannical treatment contributed1 ,i believe1 to imprint on my mind that aversion to arbitrary power1 which during my whole life ,i have ever preserved4 ,my apprenticeship became insupportable to me1 and ,i continually sighed for an opportunity of shortening it1 which at length unexpectedly offered4 ,an article inserted in our paper1 upon some political subject which ,i have now forgotten1 gave offence to the assembly4 ,my brother was taken into custody1 censured1 and ordered into confinement for a month1 because1 as ,i presume1 he would not discover the author4 ,i was also taken up1 and examined before the council2 but though ,i gave them no satisfaction1 they contented themselves with reprimanding1 and then dismissed me2 considering me probably as bound1 in quality of apprentice1 to keep my master's secrets4 ,the imprisonment of my brother kindled my resentment1 notwithstanding our private quarrels4 ,during its continuance1 the management of the paper was entrusted to me1 and ,i was bold enough to insert some pasquinades against the governors1 which highly pleased my brother1 while others began to look upon me in an unfavourable point of view1 considering me as a young wit inclined to satire and lampoon4 ,my brother's enlargement was accompanied with an arbitrary order from the house of the assembly1 ,that ,james ,franklin should no longer print the newspaper entitled ',the ,new ,england ,courant4' ,in this conjuncture1 we held a consultation of our friends at the printing-house1 in order to determine what was proper to be done4 ,some proposed to evade the order1 by changing the title of the paper3 but my brother1 foreseeing inconveniences that would result from this step1 thought it better that it should be in future printed in the name of ,benjamin ,franklin2 and to avoid the censure of the assembly1 who might charge him with still printing the paper himself under the name of his apprentice1 it was resolved that my old indentures should be given up to me1 with a full and entire discharge written on the back1 in order to be produced upon an emergency2 but that1 to secure to my brother the benefit of my service1 ,i should sign a new contract1 which should be kept secret during the remainder of the term4 ,this was a very shallow arrangement4 ,it was1 however1 carried into immediate execution1 and the paper continued1 in consequence1 to make its appearance for some months in my name4 ,at length a new difference arising between my brother and me1 ,i ventured to take advantage of my liberty1 presuming that he would not dare to produce the new contract4 ,it was undoubtedly dishonourable to avail myself of this circumstance1 and ,i reckon this action as one of the first errors of my life2 but ,i was little capable of estimating it at its true value1 embittered as my mind had been by the recollection of the blows ,i had received4 ,exclusively of his passionate treatment of me1 my brother was by no means a man of an ill temper1 and perhaps my manners had too much impertinence not to afford it a very natural pretext4 ,when he knew that it was my determination to quit him1 he wished to prevent my finding employment elsewhere4 ,he went to all the printing-houses in the town1 and prejudiced the masters against me--who accordingly refused to employ me4 ,the idea then suggested itself to me of going to ,new ,york1 the nearest town in which there was a printing-office4 ,farther reflection confirmed me in the design of leaving ,boston1 where ,i had already rendered myself an object of suspicion to the governing party4 ,it was probable1 from the arbitrary proceedings of the assembly in the affair of my brother1 that1 by remaining1 ,i should soon have been exposed to difficulties1 which ,i had the greater reason to apprehend1 as1 from my indiscreet disputes upon the subject of religion1 ,i began to be regarded by pious souls with horror1 either as an apostate or an atheist4 ,i came1 therefore1 to a resolution3 but my father1 in this instance siding with my brother1 presumed that if ,i attempted to depart openly1 measures would be taken to prevent me4 ,my friend ,collins undertook to favour my flight4 ,he agreed for my passage with the captain of a ,new ,york sloop1 to whom he represented me as a young man of his acquaintance1 who had an affair with a girl of bad character1 whose parents wished to compel me to marry her1 and that of consequence ,i could neither make my appearance1 nor go off publicly4 ,i sold part of my books to procure a small sum of money1 and went privately on board the sloop4 ,by favour of a good wind1 ,i found myself in three days at ,new ,york1 nearly three hundred miles from my home1 at the age only of seventeen years1 without knowing an individual in the place1 and with very little money in my pocket4 ,the inclination ,i had felt for a sea-faring life had entirely subsided1 or ,i should now have been able to gratify it2 but having another trade1 and believing myself to be a tolerable workman1 ,i hesitated not to offer my services to old ,mr4 ,william ,bradford1 who had been the first printer in ,pennsylvania1 but had quitted that province on account of a quarrel with ,george ,keith1 the governor4 ,he could not give me employment himself1 having little to do1 and already as many persons as he wanted2 but he told me that his son1 a printer at ,philadelphia1 had lately lost his principal workman1 ,aquilla ,rose1 who was dead1 and that if ,i would go thither1 he believed that he would engage me4 ,philadelphia was a hundred miles farther4 ,i hesitated not to embark in a boat in order to repair1 by the shortest cut of the sea1 to ,amboy1 leaving my trunk and effects to come after me by the usual and more tedious conveyance4 ,in crossing the bay we met with a squall1 which shattered to pieces our rotten sails1 prevented us from entering the ,kill1 and threw us upon ,long ,island4 ,during the squall1 a drunken ,dutchman1 who like myself was a passenger in the boat1 fell into the sea4 ,at the moment that he was sinking1 ,i seized him by the fore-top1 saved him1 and drew him on board4 ,this immersion sobered him a little1 so that he fell asleep1 after having taken from his pocket a volume1 which he requested me to dry4 ,this volume ,i found to be my old favourite ,bunyan1 in ,dutch1 a beautiful impression on fine paper1 with copper-plate engravings--a dress in which ,i had never seen it in its original language4 ,i have since learned that it has been translated into almost all the languages of ,europe1 and next to the ,bible1 ,i am persuaded1 it is one of the books which has had the greatest spread4 ,honest ,john is the first1 that ,i know of1 who has mixed narrative and dialogue together2 a mode of writing very engaging to the reader1 who in the most interesting passages1 finds himself admitted as it were into the company1 and present at the conversation4 ,de ,foe has imitated it with success in his ,robinson ,crusoe1 his ,moll ,flanders1 and other works2 as also ,richardson in his ,pamela1 c4 ,in approaching the island1 we found that we had made a part of the coast where it was not possible to land1 on account of the strong breakers produced by the rocky shore4 ,we cast anchor and veered the cable towards the shore4 ,some men1 who stood upon the brink1 halloed to us1 while we did the same on our part2 but the wind was so high1 and the waves so noisy1 that we could neither of us hear each other4 ,there were some canoes upon the bank1 and we called out to them1 and made signs to prevail on them to come and take us up2 but either they did not understand us1 or they deemed our request impracticable1 and withdrew4 ,night came on1 and nothing remained for us but to wait quietly the subsiding of the wind2 till when1 we determined1 that is1 the pilot and ,i1 to sleep if possible4 ,for that purpose we went below the hatches along with the ,dutchman1 who was drenched with water4 ,the sea broke over the boat1 and reached us in our retreat1 so that we were presently as completely drenched as he4 ,we had very little repose during the whole night3 but the wind abating the next day1 we succeeded in reaching ,amboy before it was dark1 after having passed thirty hours without provisions1 and with no other drink than a bottle of bad rum1 the water upon which we rowed being salt4 ,in the evening ,i went to bed with a very violent fever4 ,i had somewhere read that cold water1 drank plentifully1 was a remedy in such cases4 ,i followed the prescription1 was in a profuse sweat for the greater part of the night1 and the fever left me4 ,the next day ,i crossed the river in a ferryboat1 and continued my journey on foot4 ,i had fifty miles to walk1 in order to reach ,burlington1 where ,i was told ,i should find passage-boats that would convey me to ,philadelphia4 ,it rained hard the whole day1 so that ,i was wet to the skin4 ,finding myself fatigued about noon1 ,i stopped at a paltry inn1 where ,i passed the rest of the day and the whole night1 beginning to regret that ,i had quitted my home4 ,i made besides so wretched a figure1 that ,i was suspected to be some runaway servant4 ,this ,i discovered by the questions that were asked me2 and ,i felt that ,i was every moment in danger of being taken up as such4 ,the next day1 however1 ,i continued my journey1 and arrived in the evening at an inn1 eight or ten miles from ,burlington1 that was kept by one ,dr4 ,brown4 ,this man entered into conversation with me while ,i took some refreshment1 and perceiving that ,i had read a little1 he expressed towards me considerable interest and friendship4 ,our acquaintance continued during the remainder of his life4 ,i believe him to have been what is called an itinerant doctor2 for there was no town in ,england1 or indeed in ,europe1 of which he could not give a particular account4 ,he was neither deficient in understanding or literature1 but he was a sad infidel2 and1 some years after1 wickedly undertook to travesty the ,bible1 in burlesque verse1 as ,cotton has travestied ,virgil4 ,he exhibited1 by this means1 many facts in a very ludicrous point of view1 which would have given umbrage to weak minds1 had his work been published1 which it never was4 ,i spent the night at his house1 and reached ,burlington the next morning4 ,on my arrival1 ,i had the mortification to learn that the ordinary passage-boats had sailed a little before4 ,this was on a ,saturday1 and there would be no other boat till the ,tuesday following4 ,i returned to the house of an old woman in the town who had sold me some gingerbread to eat on my passage1 and ,i asked her advice4 ,she invited me to take up my abode with her till an opportunity offered for me to embark4 ,fatigued with having travelled so far on foot1 ,i accepted her invitation4 ,when she understood that ,i was a printer1 she would have persuaded me to stay at ,burlington1 and set up my trade2 but she was little aware of the capital that would be necessary for such a purpose6 ,i was treated while at her house with true hospitality4 ,she gave me with the utmost good-will1 a dinner of beef-steaks1 and would accept of nothing in return but a pint of ale4 ,here ,i imagined myself to be fixed till the ,tuesday in the ensuing week2 but walking out in the evening by the river side1 ,i saw a boat with a number of persons in it approach4 ,it was going to ,philadelphia1 and the company took me in4 ,as there was no wind1 we could only make way with our oars4 ,about midnight1 not perceiving the town1 some of the company were of opinion that we must have passed it1 and were unwilling to row any farther2 the rest not knowing where we were1 it was resolved that we should stop4 ,we drew towards the shore1 entered a creek1 and landed near some old palisades1 which served us for fire-wood1 it being a cold night in ,october4 ,here we stayed till day1 when one of the company found the place in which we were to be ,cooper's creek1 a little above ,philadelphia2 which in reality we perceived the moment we were out of the creek4 ,we arrived on ,sunday about eight or nine o'clock in the morning1 and landed on ,market-street wharf4 ,i have entered into the particulars of my voyage1 and shall in like manner describe my first entrance into this city1 that you may be able to compare beginnings so little auspicious1 with the figure ,i have since made4 ,on my arrival at ,philadelphia ,i was in my working dress1 my best cloaths being to come by sea4 ,i was covered with dirt2 my pockets were filled with shirts and stockings2 ,i was unacquainted with a single soul in the place1 and knew not where to seek for a lodging4 ,fatigued with walking1 rowing1 and having passed the night without sleep1 ,i was extremely hungry1 and all my money consisted of a ,dutch dollar1 and about a shilling's worth of coppers1 which ,i gave to the boatmen for my passage4 ,as ,i had assisted them in rowing1 they refused it at first2 but ,i insisted on their taking it4 ,a man is sometimes more generous when he has little1 than when he has much money2 probably because1 in the first case1 he is desirous of concealing his poverty4 ,i walked towards the top of the street1 looking eagerly on both sides1 till ,i came to ,market-street1 where ,i met a child with a loaf of bread4 ,often had ,i made my dinner on dry bread4 ,i enquired where he had bought it1 and went straight to the baker's shop which he pointed out to me4 ,i asked for some biscuits1 expecting to find such as we had at ,boston2 but they made1 it seems1 none of that sort at ,philadelphia4 ,i then asked for a three-penny loaf2 they made no loaves of that price4 ,finding myself ignorant of the prices1 as well as of the different kinds of bread1 ,i desired him to let me have three penny-worth of bread of some kind or other4 ,he gave me three large rolls4 ,i was surprised at receiving so much3 ,i took them1 however1 and having no room in my pockets1 ,i walked on with a roll under each arm1 eating the third4 ,in this manner ,i went through ,market-street to ,fourth-street1 and passed the house of ,mr4 ,read1 the father of my future wife4 ,she was standing at the door1 observed me1 and thought with reason1 that ,i made a very singular and grotesque appearance4 ,i then turned the corner1 and went through ,chesnut-street1 eating my roll all the way2 and having made this round1 ,i found myself again on ,market-street wharf1 near the boat in which ,i arrived4 ,i stepped into it to take a draught of the river water2 and finding myself satisfied with my first roll1 ,i gave the other two to a woman and her child1 who had come down the river with us in the boat1 and was waiting to continue her journey4 ,thus refreshed1 ,i regained the street1 which was now full of well-dressed people1 all going the same way4 ,i joined them1 and was thus led to a large ,quaker's meeting-house near the market-place4 ,i sat down with the rest1 and after looking round me for some time1 hearing nothing said1 and being drowsy from my last night's labour and want of rest1 ,i fell into a sound sleep4 ,in this state ,i continued till the assembly dispersed1 when one of the congregation had the goodness to wake me4 ,this was consequently the first house ,i entered1 or in which ,i slept1 at ,philadelphia4 ,i began again to walk along the street by the river side2 and looking attentively in the face of every one ,i met1 ,i at length perceived a young quaker whose countenance pleased me4 ,i accosted him1 and begged him to inform me where a stranger might find a lodging4 ,we were then near the sign of the three ,mariners4 ,they receive travellers here1 said he1 but it is not a house that bears a good character2 if you will go with me1 ,i will shew you a better one4 ,he conducted me to the ,crooked-billet1 in ,water-street4 ,there ,i ordered something for dinner1 and during my meal a number of curious questions were put to me2 my youth and appearance exciting the suspicion of my being a runaway4 ,after dinner my drowsiness returned1 and ,i threw myself upon a bed without taking off my cloaths1 and slept till six o'clock in the evening1 when ,i was called to supper4 ,i afterwards went to bed at a very early hour1 and did not awake till the next morning4 ,as soon as ,i got up ,i put myself in as decent a trim as ,i could1 and went to the house of ,andrew ,bradford the printer4 ,i found his father in the shop1 whom ,i had seen at ,new ,york4 ,having travelled on horseback1 he had arrived at ,philadelphia before me4 ,he introduced me to his son1 who received me with civility1 and gave me some breakfast2 but told me he had no occasion at present for a journeyman1 having lately procured one4 ,he added1 that there was another printer newly settled in the town1 of the name of ,keimer1 who might perhaps employ me2 and that in case of refusal1 ,i should be welcome to lodge at his house1 and he would give me a little work now and then1 till something better should offer4 ,the old man offered to introduce me to the new printer4 ,when we were at his house3 ,neighbour1 said he1 ,i bring you a young man in the printing business2 perhaps you may have need of his services4 ,keimer asked me some questions1 put a composing stick in my hand to see how ,i could work1 and then said1 that at present he had nothing for me to do1 but that he should soon be able to employ me4 ,at the same time taking old ,bradford for an inhabitant of the town well-disposed towards him1 he communicated his project to him1 and the prospect he had of success4 ,bradford was careful not to discover that he was the father of the other printer2 and from what ,keimer had said1 that he hoped shortly to be in possession of the greater part of the business of the town1 led him by artful questions1 and by starting some difficulties1 to disclose all his views1 what his hopes were founded upon1 and how he intended to proceed4 ,i was present1 and heard it all4 ,i instantly saw that one of the two was a cunning old fox1 and the other a perfect novice4 ,bradford left me with ,keimer1 who was strangely surprised when ,i informed him who the old man was4 ,i found ,keimer's printing materials to consist of an old damaged press1 and a small fount of worn-out ,english letters1 with which he himself was at work upon an elegy on ,aquila ,rose1 whom ,i have mentioned above1 an ingenious young man1 and of an excellent character1 highly esteemed in the town1 secretary to the assembly1 and a very tolerable poet4 ,keimer also made verses1 but they were indifferent ones4 ,he could not be said to write in verse1 for his method was to set the lines as they flowed from his muse2 and as he worked without copy1 had but one set of letter-cases1 and the elegy would probably occupy all his types1 it was impossible for any one to assist him4 ,i endeavoured to put his press in order1 which he had not yet used1 and of which indeed he understood nothing3 and having promised to come and work off his elegy as soon as it should be ready1 ,i returned to the house of ,bradford1 who gave me some trifle to do for the present1 for which ,i had my board and lodging4 ,in a few days ,keimer sent for me to print off his elegy4 ,he had now procured another set of letter-cases1 and had a pamphlet to re-print1 upon which he set me to work4 ,the two ,philadelphia printers appeared destitute of every qualification necessary in their profession4 ,bradford had not been brought up to it1 and was very illiterate4 ,keimer1 though he understood a little of the business1 was merely a compositor1 and wholly incapable of working at the press4 ,he had been one of the ,french prophets2 and knew how to imitate their supernatural agitations4 ,at the time of our first acquaintance he professed no particular religion1 but a little of all upon occasion4 ,he was totally ignorant of the world1 and a great knave at heart1 as ,i had afterwards1 an opportunity of experiencing4 ,keimer could not endure that1 working with him1 ,i should lodge at ,bradford's4 ,he had indeed a house1 but it was unfurnished2 so that he could not take me in4 ,he procured me a lodging at ,mr4 ,read's1 his landlord1 whom ,i have already mentioned4 ,my trunk and effects being now arrived1 ,i thought of making1 in the eyes of ,miss ,read1 a more respectable appearance than when chance exhibited me to her view1 eating my roll1 and wandering in the streets4 ,from this period ,i began to contract acquaintance with such young people of the town as were fond of reading1 and spent my evenings with them agreeably1 while at the same time ,i gained money by my industry1 and1 thanks to my frugality1 lived contented4 ,i thus forgot ,boston as much as possible1 and wished every one to be ignorant of the place of my residence1 except my friend ,collins1 to whom ,i wrote1 and who kept my secret4 ,an incident however arrived1 which sent me home much sooner than ,i had proposed4 ,i had a brother-in-law1 of the name of ,robert ,holmes1 master of a trading sloop from ,boston to ,delaware4 ,being at ,newcastle1 forty miles below ,philadelphia1 he heard of me1 and wrote to inform me of the chagrin which my sudden departure from ,boston had occasioned my parents1 and of the affection which they still entertained for me1 assuring me that1 if ,i would return1 every thing should be adjusted to my satisfaction2 and he was very pressing in his entreaties4 ,i answered his letter1 thanked him for his advice1 and explained the reasons which had induced me to quit ,boston1 with such force and clearness1 that he was convinced ,i had been less to blame than he had imagined4 ,sir ,william ,keith1 governor of the province1 was at ,newcastle at the time4 ,captain ,holmes1 being by chance in his company when he received my letter1 took occasion to speak of me1 and showed it him4 ,the governor read it1 and appeared surprised when he learned my age4 ,he thought me1 he said1 a young man of very promising talents1 and that1 of consequence1 ,i ought to be encouraged2 that there were at ,philadelphia none but very ignorant printers1 and that if ,i were to set up for myself1 he had no doubt of my success2 that1 for his own part1 he would procure me all the public business1 and would render me every other service in his power4 ,my brother-in-law related all this to me afterwards at ,boston2 but ,i knew nothing of it at the time2 when one day ,keimer and ,i being at work together near the window1 we saw the governor and another gentleman1 colonel ,french1 of ,newcastle1 handsomely dressed1 cross the street1 and make directly for our house4 ,we heard them at the door1 and ,keimer believing it to be a visit to himself1 went immediately down3 but the governor enquired for me1 came up stairs1 and1 with a condescension and politeness to which ,i had not at all been accustomed1 paid me many compliments1 desired to be acquainted with me1 obligingly reproached me for not having made myself known to him on my arrival in the town1 and wished me to accompany him to a tavern1 where he and colonel ,french were going to taste some excellent ,madeira wine4 ,i was1 ,i confess1 somewhat surprised1 and ,keimer appeared thunderstruck4 ,i went1 however1 with the governor and the colonel to a tavern at the corner of ,third-street1 where1 while we were drinking the ,madeira1 he proposed to me to establish a printing-house4 ,he set forth the probabilities of success1 and himself1 and colonel ,french assured me that ,i should have their protection and influence in obtaining the printing of the public papers of both governments2 and as ,i appeared to doubt whether my father would assist me in this enterprize1 ,sir ,william said that he would give me a letter to him1 in which he would represent the advantages of the scheme1 in a light which he had no doubt would determine him4 ,it was thus concluded that ,i should return to ,boston by the first vessel1 with the letter of recommendation1 from the governor to my father4 ,meanwhile the project was to be kept secret1 and ,i continued to work for ,keimer as before4 ,the governor sent every now and then to invite me to dine with him4 ,i considered this as a very great honour2 and ,i was the more sensible of it1 as he conversed with me in the most affable1 familiar1 and friendly manner imaginable4 ,towards the end of ,april #agbd1 a small vessel was ready to sail for ,boston4 ,i took leave of ,keimer1 upon the pretext of going to see my parents4 ,the governor gave me a long letter1 in which he said many flattering things of me to my father2 and strongly recommended the project of my settling at ,philadelphia1 as a thing which could not fail to make my fortune4 ,going down the bay we struck on a flat1 and sprung a leak4 ,the weather was very tempestuous1 and we were obliged to pump without intermission2 ,i took my turn4 ,we arrived1 however1 safe and sound at ,boston1 after about a fortnight's passage4 ,i had been absent about seven complete months1 and my relations1 during that interval1 had received no intelligence of me2 for my brother-in-law1 ,holmes1 was not yet returned1 and had not written about me4 ,my unexpected appearance surprized the family2 but they were all delighted at seeing me again1 and1 except my brother1 welcomed me home4 ,i went to him at the printing-house4 ,i was better dressed than ,i had ever been while in his service3 ,i had a complete suit of clothes1 new and neat1 a watch in my pocket1 and my purse was furnished with nearly five pounds sterling in money4 ,he gave me no very civil reception2 and having eyed me from head to foot1 resumed his work4 ,the workmen asked me with eagerness where ,i had been1 what sort of a country it was1 and how ,i liked it4 ,i spoke in the highest terms of ,philadelphia1 the happy life we led there1 and expressed my intention of going back again4 ,one of them asking what sort of money we had1 ,i displayed before them a handful of silver1 which ,i drew from my pocket4 ,this was a curiosity to which they were not accustomed1 paper being the current money at ,boston4 ,i failed not after this to let them see my watch2 and at last1 my brother continuing sullen and out of humour1 ,i gave them a shilling to drink1 and took my leave4 ,this visit stung my brother to the soul2 for when1 shortly after1 my mother spoke to him of a reconciliation1 and a desire to see us upon good terms1 he told her that ,i had so insulted him before his men1 that he would never forget or forgive it3 in this1 however1 he was mistaken4 ,the governor's letter appeared to excite in my father some surprize2 but he said little4 ,after some days1 captain ,holmes being returned1 he showed it him1 asking him if he knew ,keith1 and what sort of a man he was3 adding1 that1 in his opinion1 it proved very little discernment to think of setting up a boy in business1 who for three years to come would not be of an age to be ranked in the class of men4 ,holmes said every thing he could in favour of the scheme2 but my father firmly maintained its absurdity1 and at last gave a positive refusal4 ,he wrote1 however1 a civil letter to ,sir ,william1 thanking him for the protection he had so obligingly offered me1 but refusing to assist me for the present1 because he thought me too young to be entrusted with the conduct of so important an enterprise1 and which would require so considerable a sum of money4 ,my old comrade ,collins1 who was a clerk in the post-office1 charmed with the account ,i gave of my new residence1 expressed a desire of going thither2 and while ,i waited my father's determination1 he set off before me by land for ,rhode ,island1 leaving his books1 which formed a handsome collection in mathematics and natural philosophy1 to be conveyed with mine to ,new ,york1 where he purposed to wait for me4 ,my father1 though he could not approve ,sir ,william's proposal1 was yet pleased that ,i had obtained so advantageous a recommendation as that of a person of his rank1 and that my industry and economy had enabled me to equip myself so handsomely in so short a period4 ,seeing no appearance of accommodating matters between my brother and me1 he consented to my return to ,philadelphia1 advised me to be civil to every body1 to endeavour to obtain general esteem1 and avoid satire and sarcasm1 to which he thought ,i was too much inclined2 adding1 that with perseverance and prudent economy1 ,i might1 by the time ,i became of age1 save enough to establish myself in business2 and that if a small sum should then be wanting1 he would undertake to supply it4 ,this was all ,i could obtain from him1 except some trifling presents1 in token of friendship from him and my mother4 ,i embarked once more for ,new ,york1 furnished at this time with their approbation and blessing4 ,the sloop having touched at ,newport in ,rhode ,island1 ,i paid a visit to my brother ,john1 who had for some years been settled there1 and was married4 ,he had always been attached to me1 and he received me with great affection4 ,one of his friends1 whose name was ,vernon1 having a debt of about thirty-six pounds due to him in ,pennsylvania1 begged me to receive it for him1 and to keep the money till ,i should hear from him3 accordingly he gave me an order for that purpose4 ,this affair occasioned me1 in the sequel1 much uneasiness4 ,at ,newport we took on board a number of passengers2 among whom were two young women1 and a grave and sensible quaker lady with her servants4 ,i had shown an obliging forwardness in rendering the quaker some trifling services1 which led her1 probably1 to feel an interest in my welfare2 for when she saw a familiarity take place1 and every day increase1 between the two young women and me1 she took me aside and said3 ,young man1 ,i am in pain for thee4 ,thou hast no parent to watch over thy conduct1 and thou seemest to be ignorant of the world1 and the snares to which youth is exposed4 ,rely upon what ,i tell thee3 those are women of bad characters2 ,i perceive it in all their actions4 ,if thou dost not take care1 they will lead thee into danger4 ,they are strangers to thee1 and ,i advise thee1 by the friendly interest ,i take in thy preservation1 to form no connection with them4 ,as ,i appeared at first not to think quite so ill of them as she did1 she related many things she had seen and heard1 which had escaped my attention1 but which convinced me that she was in the right4 ,i thanked her for her obliging advice1 and promised to follow it4 ,when we arrived at ,new ,york1 they informed me where they lodged1 and invited me to come and see them4 ,i did not however go1 and it was well ,i did not2 for the next day1 the captain missing a silver spoon and some other things which had been taken from the cabin1 and knowing these women to be prostitutes1 procured a search-warrant1 found the stolen goods upon them1 and had them punished4 ,and thus1 after having been saved from one rock concealed under water1 upon which the vessel struck during our passage1 ,i escaped another of a still more dangerous nature4 ,at ,new ,york ,i found my friend ,collins1 who had arrived some time before4 ,we had been intimate from our infancy1 and had read the same books together2 but he had the advantage of being able to devote more time to reading and study1 and an astonishing disposition for mathematics1 in which he left me far behind him4 ,when at ,boston1 ,i had been accustomed to pass with him almost all my leisure hours4 ,he was then a sober and industrious lad2 his knowledge had gained him a very general esteem1 and he seemed to promise to make an advantageous figure in society4 ,but1 during my absence1 he had unfortunately addicted himself to brandy1 and ,i learned1 as well from himself as from the report of others1 that every day since his arrival at ,new ,york he had been intoxicated1 and had acted in a very extravagant manner4 ,he had also played1 and lost all his money2 so that ,i was obliged to pay his expences at the inn1 and to maintain him during the rest of his journey2 a burthen that was very inconvenient to me4 ,the governor of ,new ,york1 whose name was ,burnet1 hearing the captain say1 that a young man who was a passenger in his ship had a great number of books1 begged him to bring me to his house4 ,i accordingly went1 and should have taken ,collins with me1 had he been sober4 ,the governor treated me with great civility1 shewed me his library1 which was a very considerable one1 and we talked for some time upon books and authors4 ,this was the second governor who had honoured me with his attention1 and to a poor boy1 as ,i was then1 these little adventures did not fail to be pleasing4 ,we arrived at ,philadelphia4 ,on the way ,i received ,vernon's money1 without which we should have been unable to have finished our journey4 ,collins wished to get employment as a merchant's clerk1 but either his breath or his countenance betrayed his bad habit2 for1 though he had recommendations he met with no success1 and continued to lodge and eat with me1 and at my expence4 ,knowing that ,i had ,vernon's money1 he was continually asking me to lend him some of it1 promising to repay me as soon as he should get employment4 ,at last he had drawn so much of this money1 that ,i was extremely alarmed at what might become of me1 should he fail to make good the deficiency4 ,his habit of drinking did not at all diminish1 and was a frequent source of discord between us2 for when he had drank a little too much1 he was very head-strong4 ,being one day in a boat together on the ,delaware1 with some other young persons1 he refused to take his turn in rowing4 ,you shall row for me1 said he1 till we get home4--,no1 ,i replied1 we will not row for you4--,you shall1 said he1 or remain upon the water all night4 ,as you please4--,let us row1 said the rest of the company2 what signifies whether he assists or not4 ,but1 already angry with him for his conduct in other respects1 ,i persisted in my refusal4 ,he then swore that he would make me row1 or would throw me out of the boat2 and he made up to me4 ,as soon as he was within my reach1 ,i took him by the collar1 gave him a violent thrust1 and threw him head foremost into the river4 ,i knew that he was a good swimmer1 and was therefore under no apprehensions for his life4 ,before he could turn himself1 we were able1 by a few strokes of our oars1 to place ourselves out of his reach2 and whenever he touched the boat1 we asked him if he would row striking his hands at the same time with the oars1 to make him let go his hold4 ,he was nearly suffocated with rage1 but obstinately refused making any promise to row4 ,perceiving1 at length1 that his strength began to be exhausted1 we took him into the boat1 and conveyed him home in the evening completely drenched4 ,the utmost coldness subsisted between us after this adventure4 ,at last the captain of a ,west-,india ship1 who was commissioned to procure a tutor for the children of a gentleman at ,barbadoes1 meeting with ,collins1 offered him the place4 ,he accepted it1 and took his leave of me1 promising to discharge the debt he owed me with the first money he should receive2 but ,i have heard nothing of him since4 ,the violation of the trust reposed in me by ,vernon1 was one of the first great errors of my life2 and it proves that my father was not mistaken when he supposed me too young to be intrusted with the management of important affairs4 ,but ,sir ,william1 upon reading his letter1 thought him too prudent4 ,there was a difference1 he said1 between individuals3 years of maturity were not always accompanied with discretion1 neither was youth in every instance devoid of it4 ,since your father1 added he1 will not set you up in business1 ,i will do it myself4 ,make out a list of what will be wanted from ,england1 and ,i will send for the articles4 ,you shall repay me when you can4 ,i am determined to have a good printer here1 and ,i am sure you will succeed4 ,this was said with so much seeming cordiality1 that ,i suspected not for an instant the sincerity of the offer4 ,i had hitherto kept the project1 with which ,sir ,william had inspired me1 of settling in business1 a secret at ,philadelphia1 and ,i still continued to do so4 ,had my reliance on the governor been known1 some friend better acquainted with his character than myself1 would doubtless have advised me not to trust him2 for ,i afterwards learned he was universally known to be liberal of promises1 which he had no intention to perform4 ,but having never solicited him1 how could ,i suppose his offers to be deceitful8--,on the contrary1 ,i believed him to be the best man in the world4 ,i gave him an inventory of a small printing-office1 the expence of which ,i had calculated at about a hundred pounds sterling4 ,he expressed his approbation2 but asked1 if my presence in ,england1 that ,i might choose the characters myself1 and see that every article was good in its kind1 would not be an advantage8 ,you will also be able1 said he1 to form some acquaintance there1 and establish a correspondence with stationers and booksellers4 ,this ,i acknowledged was desirable4 ,that being the case1 added he1 hold yourself in readiness to go with the ,annis4 ,this was the annual vessel1 and the only one1 at that time1 which made regular voyages between the ports of ,london and ,philadelphia4 ,but the ,annis was not to sail for some months4 ,i therefore continued to work with ,keimer1 unhappy respecting the sum which ,collins had drawn from me1 and almost in continual agony at the thoughts of ,vernon1 who fortunately made no demand of his money till several years after4 ,in the account of my first voyage from ,boston to ,philadelphia1 ,i omitted1 ,i believe1 a trifling circumstance1 which will not1 perhaps1 be out of place here4 ,during a calm which stopped us above ,block ,island1 the crew employed themselves in fishing for cod1 of which they caught a great number4 ,i had hitherto adhered to my resolution of not eating any thing that had possessed life2 and ,i considered on this occasion1 agreeably to the maxims of my master ,tryon1 the capture of every fish as a sort of murder1 committed without provocation1 since these animals had neither done1 nor were capable of doing the smallest injury to any one that should justify the measure4 ,this mode of reasoning ,i conceived to be unanswerable4 ,meanwhile1 ,i had formerly been extremely fond of fish2 and when one of these cod was taken out of the frying-pan1 ,i thought its flavour delicious4 ,i hesitated some time between principle and inclination1 till at last recollecting1 that when the cod had been opened1 some small fish were found in its belly1 ,i said to myself1 if you eat one another1 ,i see no reason why we may not eat you4 ,i accordingly dined on the cod with no small degree of pleasure1 and have since continued to eat like the rest of mankind1 returning only occasionally to my vegetable plan4 ,how convenient does it prove to be a rational animal1 that knows how to find or invent a plausible pretext for whatever it has an inclination to do6 ,i continued to live upon good terms with ,keimer1 who had not the smallest suspicion of my projected establishment4 ,he still retained a portion of his former enthusiasm2 and1 being fond of argument1 we frequently disputed together4 ,i was so much in the habit of using my ,socratic method1 and had so frequently puzzled him by my questions1 which appeared at first very distant from the point in debate1 yet nevertheless led to it by degrees1 involving him in difficulties and contradictions from which he was unable to extricate himself1 that he became at last ridiculously cautious1 and would scarcely answer the most plain and familiar question without previously asking me--,what would you infer from that8 ,hence he formed so high an opinion of my talents for refutation1 that he seriously proposed to me to become his colleague in the establishment of a new religious sect4 ,he was to propagate the doctrine by preaching1 and ,i to refute every opponent4 ,when he explained to me his tenets1 ,i found many absurdities which ,i refused to admit1 unless he would agree in turn to adopt some of my opinions4 ,keimer wore his beard long1 because ,moses had somewhere said1 ,thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard4 ,he likewise observed the ,sabbath2 and these were with him two very essential points4 ,i disliked them both3 but ,i consented to adopt them1 provided he would agree to abstain from animal food4 ,i doubt1 said he1 whether my constitution will be able to support it4 ,i assured him on the contrary he would find himself the better for it4 ,he was naturally a glutton1 and ,i wished to amuse myself by starving him4 ,he consented to make trial of this regimen1 if ,i would bear him company2 and in reality we continued it for three months4 ,a woman in the neighbourhood prepared and brought us our victuals1 to whom ,i gave a list of forty dishes2 in the composition of which there were entered neither flesh nor fish4 ,this fancy was the more agreeable to me as it turned to good account2 for the whole expence of our living did not exceed for each eighteen pence a week4 ,i have since that period observed several ,lents with the greatest strictness1 and have suddenly returned again to my ordinary diet1 without experiencing the smallest inconvenience2 which has led me to regard as of no importance the advice commonly given1 of introducing gradually such alterations of regimen4 ,i continued it cheerfully1 but poor ,keimer suffered terribly4 ,tired of the project1 he sighed for the fleshpots of ,egypt4 ,at length he ordered a roast pig1 and invited me and two of our female acquaintance to dine with him2 but the pig being ready a little too soon1 he could not resist the temptation1 and eat it all up before we arrived4 ,during the circumstances ,i have related1 ,i had paid some attentions to ,miss ,read4 ,i entertained for her the utmost esteem and affection2 and ,i had reason to believe that these sentiments were mutual4 ,but we were both young1 scarcely more than eighteen years of age2 and as ,i was on the point of undertaking a long voyage1 her mother thought it prudent to prevent matters being carried top far for the present1 judging that1 if marriage was our object1 there would be more propriety in it after my return1 when1 as at least ,i expected1 ,i should be established in my business4 ,perhaps1 also1 she thought my expectations were not so well founded as ,i imagined4 ,my most intimate acquaintance at this time were ,charles ,osborne1 ,joseph ,watson1 and ,james ,ralph3 young men who were all fond of reading4 ,the two first were clerks to ,mr4 ,charles ,brockdon1 one of the principal attornies in the town1 and the other clerk to a merchant4 ,watson was an upright1 pious1 and sensible young man3 the others were somewhat more loose in their principles of religion1 particularly ,ralph1 whose faith1 as well as that of ,collins1 ,i had contributed to shake2 each of whom made me suffer a very adequate punishment4 ,osborne was sensible1 and sincere and affectionate in his friendships1 but too much inclined to the critic in matters of literature4 ,ralph was ingenious and shrewd1 genteel in his address1 and extremely eloquent4 ,i do not remember to have met with a more agreeable speaker4 ,they were both enamoured of the muses1 and had already evinced their passion by some small poetical productions4 ,it was a custom with us to take a charming walk on ,sundays1 in the woods that border the ,skuylkil4 ,here we read together1 and afterwards conversed on what we read4 ,ralph was disposed to give himself up entirely to poetry4 ,he flattered himself that he should arrive at great eminence in the art1 and even acquire a fortune4 ,the sublimest poets1 he pretended1 when they first began to write1 committed as many faults as himself4 ,osborne endeavoured to dissuade him1 by assuring him that he had no genius for poetry1 and advised him to stick to the trade in which he had been brought up4 ,in the road of commerce1 said he1 you will be sure1 by diligence and assiduity1 though you have no capital1 of so far succeeding as to be employed as a factor2 and may thus1 in time1 acquire the means of setting up for yourself4 ,i concurred in these sentiments1 but at the same time expressed my approbation of amusing ourselves sometimes with poetry1 with a view to improve our style4 ,in consequence of this it was proposed1 that1 at our next meeting1 each of us should bring a copy of verses of his own composition4 ,our object in this competition was to benefit each other by our mutual remarks1 criticisms1 and corrections2 and as style and expression were all we had in view1 we excluded every idea of invention1 by agreeing that our task should be a version of the eighteenth psalm1 in which is described the descent of the ,deity4 ,the time of our meeting drew near1 when ,ralph called upon me1 and told me that his performance was ready4 ,i informed him that ,i had been idle1 and1 not much liking the task1 had done nothing4 ,he shewed me his piece1 and asked me what ,i thought of it4 ,i expressed myself in terms of warm approbation2 because it really appeared to have considerable merit4 ,he then said1 ,osborne will never acknowledge the smallest degree of excellence in any production of mine4 ,envy alone dictates to him a thousand animadversions4 ,of you he is not so jealous3 ,i wish1 therefore1 you would take the verses1 and produce them as your own4 ,i will pretend not to have had leisure to write any thing4 ,we shall then see in what manner he will speak of them4 ,i agreed to this little artifice1 and immediately transcribed the verses to prevent all suspicion4 ,we met4 ,watson's performance was the first that was read2 it had some beauties1 but many faults4 ,we next read ,osborne's1 which was much better4 ,ralph did it justice1 remarking a few imperfections1 and applauding such parts as were excellent4 ,he had himself nothing to show4 ,it was now my turn4 ,i made some difficulty2 seemed as if ,i wished to be excused2 pretended that ,i had had no time to make corrections1 c4 ,no excuse1 however1 was admissible1 and1 the piece must be produced4 ,it was read1 and re-read4 ,watson and ,osborne immediately resigned the palm1 and united in applauding it4 ,ralph alone made a few remarks1 and proposed some alterations2 but ,i defended my text4 ,osborne agreed with me1 and told ,ralph that he was no more able to criticise than he was able to write4 ,when ,osborne was alone with me1 he expressed himself still more strongly in favour of what he considered as my performance4 ,he pretended that he had put some restraint upon himself before1 apprehensive of my construing his commendation into flattery4 ,but who would have supposed1 said he1 ,franklin to be capable of such a composition8 ,what painting--what energy--what fire6 ,he has surpassed the original4 ,in his common conversation he appears not to have a choice of words2 he hesitates1 and is at a loss--and yet1 good ,god1 how he writes6 ,at our next meeting ,ralph discovered the trick we had played ,osborne1 who was rallied without mercy4 ,by this adventure ,ralph was fixed in his determination of becoming a poet4 ,i left nothing unattempted to divert him from his purpose2 but he persevered1 till at last the reading of ,pope#c effected his cure3 he became1 however1 a very tolerable prose-writer4 ,i shall speak more of him hereafter2 but as ,i shall probably have no farther occasion to mention the other two1 ,i ought to observe here that ,watson died a few years after in my arms4 ,he was greatly regretted1 for he was the best of our society4 ,osborne went to the islands1 where he gained considerable reputation as a barrister1 and was getting money2 but he died young4 ,we had seriously engaged1 that whoever died first should return 7if possible7 and pay a friendly visit to the survivor1 to give him an account of the other world--but he has never fulfilled his engagement4 ,the governor appeared to be fond of my company1 and frequently invited me to his house4 ,he always spoke of his intention of settling me in business1 as a point that was decided4 ,i was to take with me letters of recommendation to a number of his friends1 and particularly a letter of credit1 in order to obtain the necessary sum for the purchase of my press1 types1 and paper4 ,he appointed various times for me to come for these letters1 which would certainly be ready1 and when ,i came1 always put me off to another day4 ,these successive delays continued till the vessel1 whose departure had been several times deferred1 was on the point of setting sail2 when ,i again went to ,sir ,william's house1 to receive my letters and take leave of him4 ,i saw his secretary1 ,dr4 ,bard1 who told me that the governor was extremely busy writing1 but that he would be down at ,newcastle before the vessel1 and that the letters would be delivered to me there4 ,ralph1 though he was married and had a child1 determined to accompany me in this voyage4 ,his object was supposed to be the establishing a correspondence with some mercantile houses1 in order to sell goods by commission2 but ,i afterwards learned that1 having reason to be dissatisfied with the parents of his wife1 he proposed to himself to leave her on their hands1 and never return to ,america again4 ,having taken leave of my friends1 and interchanged promises of fidelity with ,miss ,read1 ,i quitted ,philadelphia4 ,at ,newcastle the vessel came to anchor4 ,the governor was arrived1 and ,i went to his lodgings4 ,his secretary received me with great civility1 told me on the part of the governor that he could not see me then1 as he was engaged in affairs of the utmost importance1 but that he would send the letters on board1 and that he wished me1 with all his heart1 a good voyage1 and speedy return4 ,i returned1 somewhat astonished1 to the ship1 but still without entertaining the slightest suspicion4 ,mr4 ,hamilton1 a celebrated barrister of ,philadelphia1 had taken a passage to ,england for himself and his son1 and1 in conjunction with ,mr4 ,denham1 a quaker1 and ,messrs4 ,oniam and ,russel1 proprietors of a forge in ,maryland1 had agreed for the whole cabin1 so that ,ralph and ,i were obliged to take up our lodging with the crew4 ,being unknown to every body in the ship1 we were looked upon as of the common order of people3 but ,mr4 ,hamilton and his son1 7it was ,james1 who was afterwards governor17 left us at ,newcastle1 and returned to ,philadelphia1 where he was recalled at a very great expence1 to plead the cause of a vessel that had been seized2 and just as we were about to sail1 colonel ,french came on board1 and shewed me many civilities4 ,the passengers upon this paid me more attention1 and ,i was invited1 together with my friend ,ralph1 to occupy the place in the cabin which the return of the ,mr4 ,hamiltons had made vacant2 an offer which we very readily accepted4 ,having learned that the dispatches of the governor had been brought on board by colonel ,french1 ,i asked the captain for the letters that were to be entrusted to my care4 ,he told me that they were all put together in the bag1 which he could not open at present2 but before we reached ,england1 he would give me an opportunity of taking them out4 ,i was satisfied with this answer1 and we pursued our voyage4 ,the company in the cabin were all very sociable1 and we were perfectly well off as to provisions1 as we had the advantage of the whole of ,mr4 ,hamilton's1 who had laid in a very plentiful stock4 ,during the passage1 ,mr4 ,denham contracted a friendship for me1 which ended only with his life3 in other respects the voyage was by no means an agreeable one1 as we had much bad weather4 ,when we arrived in the river1 the captain was as good as his word1 and allowed me to search in the bag for the governor's letters4 ,i could not find a single one with my name written on it1 as committed to my care2 but ,i selected six or seven1 which ,i judged from the direction to be those that were intended for me2 particularly one to ,mr4 ,basket the king's printer1 and another to a stationer1 who was the first person ,i called upon4 ,i delivered him the letter as coming from governor ,keith4 ,i have no acquaintance 7said he7 with any such person2 and opening the letter1 ,oh1 it is from ,riddlesden6 he exclaimed4 ,i have lately discovered him to be a very arrant knave1 and wish to have nothing to do either with him or his letters4 ,he instantly put the letter into my hand1 turned upon his heel1 and left me1 to serve some customers4 ,i was astonished at finding these letters were not from the governor4 ,reflecting1 and putting circumstances together1 ,i then began to doubt his sincerity4 ,i rejoined my friend ,denham1 and related the whole affair to him4 ,he let me at once into ,keith's character1 told me there was not the least probability of his having written a single letter2 that no one who knew him ever placed any reliance on him1 and laughed at my credulity in supposing that the governor would give me a letter of credit1 when he had no credit for himself4 ,as ,i showed some uneasiness respecting what step ,i should take1 he advised me to try to get employment in the house of some printer4 ,you may there1 said he1 improve yourself in business1 and you will be able to settle yourself the more advantageously when you return to ,america4 ,we knew already as well as the stationer1 attorney ,riddlesden to be a knave4 ,he had nearly ruined the father of ,miss ,read1 by drawing him in to be his security4 ,we learned from his letter1 that he was secretly carrying on an intrigue1 in concert with the governor1 to the prejudice of ,mr4 ,hamilton1 who it was supposed would by this time be in ,europe4 ,denham1 who was ,hamilton's friend1 was of opinion that he ought to be made acquainted with it2 and in reality1 the instant he arrived in ,england1 which was very soon after1 ,i waited on him1 and1 as much from good-will to him1 as from resentment against the governor1 put the letter into his hands4 ,he thanked me very sincerely1 the information it contained being of consequence to him2 and from that moment bestowed on me his friendship1 which afterwards proved on many occasions serviceable to me4 ,but what are we to think of a governor who could play so scurvy a trick1 and thus grossly deceive a poor young lad1 wholly destitute of experience8 ,it was a practice with him4 ,wishing to please every body1 and having little to bestow1 he was lavish of promises4 ,he was in other respects sensible and judicious1 a very tolerable writer1 and a good governor for the people2 though not so for the proprietaries1 whose instructions he frequently disregarded4 ,many of our best laws were his work1 and established during his administration4 ,ralph and ,i were inseparable companions4 ,we took a lodging together at three and sixpence a-week1 which was as much as we could afford4 ,he met with some relations in ,london1 but they were poor1 and not able to assist him4 ,he now1 for the first time1 informed me of his intention to remain in ,england1 and that he had no thoughts of ever returning to ,philadelphia4 ,he was totally without money2 the little he had been able to raise having barely sufficed for his passage4 ,i had still fifteen pistoles remaining2 and to me he had from time to time recourse1 while he tried to get employment4 ,at first1 believing himself possessed of talents for the stage1 he thought of turning actor2 but ,wilkes1 to whom he applied1 frankly advised him to renounce the idea1 as it was impossible he should succeed4 ,he next proposed to ,roberts1 a bookseller in ,paternoster-row1 to write a weekly paper in the manner of the ,spectator1 upon terms to which ,roberts would not listen4 ,lastly1 he endeavoured to procure employment as a copyist1 and applied to the lawyers and stationers about the ,temple2 but he could find no vacancy4 ,as to myself1 ,i immediately got engaged at ,palmer's1 at that time a noted printer in ,bartholomew-close1 with whom ,i continued nearly a year4 ,i applied very assiduously to my work2 but ,i expended with ,ralph almost all that ,i earned4 ,plays1 and other places of amusement which we frequented together1 having exhausted my pistoles1 we lived after this from hand to mouth4 ,he appeared to have entirely forgotten his wife and child1 as ,i also1 by degrees1 forgot my engagements with ,miss ,read1 to whom ,i never wrote more than one letter1 and that merely to inform her that ,i was not likely to return soon4 ,this was another grand error of my life1 which ,i should be desirous of correcting were ,i to begin my career again4 ,i was employed at ,palmer's on the second edition of ,woolaston's ,religion of ,nature4 ,some of his arguments appearing to me not to be well-founded1 ,i wrote a small metaphysical treatise1 in which ,i animadverted on those passages4 ,it was entitled a ,dissertation on ,liberty and ,necessity1 ,pleasure and ,pain4 ,i dedicated it to my friend ,ralph1 and printed a small number of copies4 ,palmer upon this treated me with more consideration1 and regarded me as a young man of talents2 though he seriously took me to task for the principles of my pamphlet1 which he looked upon as abominable4 ,the printing of this work was another error of my life4 ,while ,i lodged in ,little ,britain ,i formed acquaintance with a bookseller of the name of ,wilcox1 whose shop was next door to me4 ,circulating libraries were not then in use4 ,he had an immense collection of books of all sorts4 ,we agreed that1 for a reasonable retribution1 of which ,i have now forgotten the price1 ,i should have free access to his library1 and take what books ,i pleased1 which ,i was to return when ,i had read them4 ,i considered this agreement as a very great advantage2 and ,i derived from it as much benefit as was in my power4 ,my pamphlet falling into the hands of a surgeon1 of the name of ,lyons1 author of a book entitled1 ,infallibility of ,human ,judgment1 was the occasion of a considerable intimacy between us4 ,he expressed great esteem for me1 came frequently to see me1 in order to converse upon metaphysical subjects1 and introduced me to ,dr4 ,mandeville1 author of the ,fable of the ,bees1 who had instituted a club at a tavern in ,cheapside1 of which he was the soul3 he was a facetious and very amusing character4 ,he also introduced me1 at ,batson's coffee-house1 to ,dr4 ,pemberton1 who promised to give me an opportunity of seeing ,sir ,isaac ,newton1 which ,i very ardently desired2 but he never kept his word4 ,i had brought some curiosities with me from ,america2 the principal of which was a purse made of the asbestos1 which fire only purifies4 ,sir ,hans ,sloane hearing of it1 called upon me1 and invited me to his house in ,bloomsbury-square1 where1 after showing me every thing that was curious1 he prevailed on me to add this piece to his collection2 for which he paid me very handsomely4 ,there lodged in the same house with us a young woman1 a milliner1 who had a shop by the side of the ,exchange4 ,lively and sensible1 and having received an education somewhat above her rank1 her conversation was very agreeable4 ,ralph read plays to her every evening4 ,they became intimate4 ,she took another lodging1 and he followed her4 ,they lived for some time together2 but ,ralph being without employment1 she having a child1 and the profits of her business not sufficing for the maintenance of three1 he resolved to quit ,london1 and try a country school4 ,this was a plan in which he thought himself likely to succeed2 as he wrote a fine hand1 and was versed in arithmetic and accounts4 ,but considering the office as beneath him1 and expecting some day to make a better figure in the world1 when he should be ashamed of its being known that he had exercised a profession so little honourable1 he changed his name1 and did me the honour to assume mine4 ,he wrote to me soon after his departure1 informing me that he was settled at a small village in ,berkshire4 ,in his letter he recommended ,mrs4 ,t9999991 the milliner1 to my care1 and requested an answer1 directed to ,mr4 ,franklin1 school-master1 at ,n9999994 ,he continued to write to me frequently1 sending me large fragments of an epic poem he was composing1 and which he begged of me to criticise and correct4 ,i did so1 but not without endeavouring to prevail on him to renounce this pursuit4 ,young had just published one of his ,satires4 ,i copied and sent him a great part of it2 in which the author demonstrates the folly of cultivating the muses1 from the hope1 by their instrumentality1 of rising in the world4 ,it was all to no purpose2 paper after paper of his poem continued to arrive every post4 ,meanwhile ,mrs4 ,t999999 having lost1 on his account1 both her friends and her business1 was frequently in distress4 ,in this dilemma she had recourse to me2 and to extricate her from difficulties1 ,i lent her all the money ,i could spare4 ,i felt a little too much fondness for her4 ,having at that time no ties of religion1 and taking advantage of her necessitous situation1 ,i attempted liberties1 7another error of my life17 which she repelled with becoming indignation4 ,she informed ,ralph of my conduct2 and the affair occasioned a breach between us4 ,when he returned to ,london1 he gave me to understand that he considered all the obligations he owed me as annihilated by this proceeding2 whence ,i concluded that ,i was never to expect the payment of what money ,i had lent him1 or advanced on his account4 ,i was the less afflicted at this1 as he was wholly unable to pay me2 and as1 by losing his friendship1 ,i was relieved at the same time from a very heavy burden4 ,i now began to think of laying by some money4 ,the printing-house of ,watts1 near ,lincoln's-,inn-,fields1 being a still more considerable one than that in which ,i worked1 it was probable ,i might find it more advantageous to be employed there4 ,i offered myself1 and was accepted2 and in this house ,i continued during the remainder of my stay in ,london4 ,on my entrance ,i worked at first as a pressman1 conceiving that ,i had need of bodily exercise1 to which ,i had been accustomed in ,america1 where the printers work alternately as compositors and at the press4 ,i drank nothing but water4 ,the other workmen1 to the number of about fifty1 were great drinkers of beer4 ,i carried occasionally a large form of letters in each hand1 up and down stairs1 while the rest employed both hands to carry one4 ,they were surprised to see1 by this and many other examples1 that the ,american ,aquatic1 as they used to call me1 was stronger than those who drank porter4 ,the beer-boy had sufficient employment during the whole day in serving that house alone4 ,my fellow pressman drank every day a pint of beer before breakfast1 a pint with bread and cheese for breakfast1 one between breakfast and dinner1 one at dinner1 one again about six o'clock in the afternoon1 and another after he had finished his day's work4 ,this custom appeared to me abominable2 but he had need1 he said1 of all this beer1 in order to acquire strength to work4 ,i endeavoured to convince him that the bodily strength furnished by the beer1 could only be in proportion to the solid part of the barley dissolved in the water of which the beer was composed2 that there was a larger portion of flour in a penny loaf1 and that consequently if he ate this loaf1 and drank a pint of water with it1 he would derive more strength from it than from a pint of beer4 ,this reasoning1 however1 did not prevent him from drinking his accustomed quantity of beer1 and paying every ,saturday night a score of four or five shillings a-week for this cursed beverage2 an expence from which ,i was wholly exempt4 ,thus do these poor devils continue all their lives in a state of voluntary wretchedness and poverty4 ,at the end of a few weeks1 ,watts having occasion for me above stairs as a compositor1 ,i quitted the press4 ,the compositors demanded of me garnish money a-fresh4 ,this ,i considered as an imposition1 having already paid below4 ,the master was of the same opinion1 and desired me not to comply4 ,i thus remained two or three weeks out of the fraternity4 ,i was consequently looked upon as excommunicated2 and whenever ,i was absent1 no little trick that malice could suggest was left unpractised upon me4 ,i found my letters mixed1 my pages transposed1 my matter broken1 c4 c4 all which was attributed to the spirit that haunted the chapel1#d and tormented those who were not regularly admitted4 ,i was at last obliged to submit to pay1 notwithstanding the protection of the master2 convinced of the folly of not keeping up a good understanding with those among whom we are destined to live4 ,after this ,i lived in the utmost harmony with my fellow-labourers1 and soon acquired considerable influence among them4 ,i proposed some alterations in the laws of the chapel1 which ,i carried without opposition4 ,my example prevailed with several of them to renounce their abominable practice of bread and cheese with beer2 and they procured1 like me1 from a neighbouring house1 a good basin of warm gruel1 in which was a small slice of butter1 with toasted bread and nutmeg4 ,this was a much better breakfast1 which did not cost more than a pint of beer1 namely1 three halfpence1 and at the same time preserved the head clearer4 ,those who continued to gorge themselves with beer1 often lost their credit with the publican1 from neglecting to pay their score4 ,they had then recourse to me1 to become security for them2 their light1 as they used to call it1 being out4 ,i attended at the pay-table every ,saturday evening1 to take up the little sum which ,i had made myself answerable for2 and which sometimes amounted to nearly thirty shillings a-week4 ,this circumstance1 added to my reputation of being a tolerable good gabber1 or1 in other words1 skilful in the art of burlesque1 kept up my importance in the chapel4 ,i had besides recommended myself to the esteem of my master by my assiduous application to business1 never observing ,saint ,monday4 ,my extraordinary quickness in composing always procured me such work as was most urgent1 and which is commonly best paid2 and thus my time passed away in a very pleasant manner4 ,my lodging in ,little ,britain being too far from the printing-house1 ,i took another in ,duke-street1 opposite the ,roman ,catholic chapel4 ,it was at the back of an ,italian warehouse4 ,the house was kept by a widow1 who had a daughter1 a servant1 and a shop-boy2 but the latter slept out of the house4 ,after sending to the people with whom ,i lodged in ,little ,britain1 to enquire into my character1 she agreed to take me in at the same price1 three and sixpence a-week2 contenting herself1 she said1 with so little1 because of the security she should derive1 as they were all women1 from having a man lodger in the house4 ,she was a woman rather advanced in life1 the daughter of a clergyman4 ,she had been educated a ,protestant2 but her husband1 whose memory she highly revered1 had converted her to the ,catholic religion4 ,she had lived in habits of intimacy with persons of distinction2 of whom she knew various anecdotes as far back as the time of ,charles ,,ii4 ,being subject to fits of the gout1 which often confined her to her room1 she was sometimes disposed to see company4 ,hers was so amusing to me1 that ,i was glad to pass the evening with her as often as she desired it4 ,our supper consisted only of half an anchovy a piece1 upon a slice of bread and butter1 with half a pint of ale between us4 ,but the entertainment was in her conversation4 ,the early hours ,i kept1 and the little trouble ,i occasioned in the family1 made her loth to part with me2 and when ,i mentioned another lodging ,i had found1 nearer the printing-house1 at two shillings a week1 which fell in with my plan of saving1 she persuaded me to give it up1 making herself an abatement of two shillings3 and thus ,i continued to lodge with her1 during the remainder of my abode in ,london1 at eighteen pence a week4 ,in a garret of the house there lived1 in the most retired manner1 a lady seventy years of age1 of whom ,i received the following account from my landlady4 ,she was a ,roman ,catholic4 ,in her early years she had been sent to the continent1 and entered a convent with the design of becoming a nun2 but the climate not agreeing with her constitution1 she was obliged to return to ,england1 where1 as there were no monasteries1 she made a vow to lead a monastic life1 in as rigid a manner as circumstances would permit4 ,she accordingly disposed of all her property to be applied to charitable uses1 reserving to herself only twelve pounds a year2 and of this small pittance she gave a part to the poor1 living on water gruel1 and never making use of fire but to boil it4 ,she had lived in this garret a great many years1 without paying rent to the successive ,catholic inhabitants that had kept the house2 who indeed considered her abode with them as a blessing4 ,a priest came every day to confess her4 ,i have asked her1 said my landlady1 how1 living as she did1 she could find so much employment for a confessor8 ,to which she answered1 that it was impossible to avoid vain thoughts4 ,i was once permitted to visit her4 ,she was cheerful and polite1 and her conversation agreeable4 ,her apartment was neat2 but the whole furniture consisted of a mattress1 a table1 on which were a crucifix and a book1 a chair1 which she gave me to sit on1 and over the mantle-piece a picture of ,st4 ,veronica displaying her handkerchief1 on which was seen the miraculous impression of the face of ,christ1 which she explained to me with great gravity4 ,her countenance was pale1 but she had never experienced sickness2 and ,i may adduce her as another proof how little is sufficient to maintain life and health4 ,at the printing house ,i contracted an intimacy with a sensible young man of the name of ,wygate1 who1 as his parents were in good circumstances1 had received a better education than is common among printers4 ,he was a tolerable ,latin scholar1 spoke ,french fluently1 and was fond of reading4 ,i taught him1 as well as a friend of his1 to swim1 by taking them twice only into the river2 after which they stood in need of no farther assistance4 ,we one day made a party to go by water to ,chelsea1 in order to see the ,college1 and ,don ,soltero's curiosities4 ,on our return1 at the request of the company1 whose curiosity ,wygate had excited1 ,i undressed myself1 and leaped into the river4 ,i swam from near ,chelsea the whole way to ,blackfriars1 exhibiting1 during my course1 a variety of feats of activity and address1 both upon the surface of the water1 as well as under it4 ,this sight occasioned much astonishment and pleasure to those to whom it was new4 ,in my youth ,i took great delight in this exercise4 ,i knew1 and could execute1 all the evolutions and positions of ,thevenot2 and ,i added to them some of my own invention1 in which ,i endeavoured to unite gracefulness and utility4 ,i took a pleasure in displaying them all on this occasion1 and was highly flattered with the admiration they excited4 ,wygate1 besides his being desirous of perfecting himself in this art1 was the more attached to me from there being1 in other respects1 a conformity in our tastes and studies4 ,he at length proposed to me to make the tour of ,europe with him1 maintaining ourselves at the same time by working at our profession4 ,i was on the point of consenting1 when ,i mentioned it to my friend ,mr4 ,denham1 with whom ,i was glad to pass an hour whenever ,i had leisure4 ,he dissuaded me from the project1 and advised me to think of returning to ,philadelphia1 which he was about to do himself4 ,i must relate in this place a trait of this worthy man's character4 ,he had formerly been in business at ,bristol1 but failing1 he compounded with his creditors1 and departed for ,america1 where1 by assiduous application as a merchant1 he acquired in a few years a very considerable fortune4 ,returning to ,england in the same vessel with myself1 as ,i have related above1 he invited all his old creditors to a feast4 ,when assembled1 he thanked them for the readiness with which they had received his small composition2 and1 while they expected nothing more than a simple entertainment1 each found under his plate1 when it came to be removed1 a draft upon a banker for the residue of his debt1 with interest4 ,he told me that it was his intention to carry back with him to ,philadelphia a great quantity of goods1 in order to open a store2 and he offered to take me with him in the capacity of clerk1 to keep his books1 in which he would instruct me1 copy letters1 and superintend the store4 ,he added1 that as soon as ,i had acquired a knowledge of mercantile transactions1 he would improve my situation1 by sending me with a cargo of corn and flour to the ,american islands1 and by procuring me other lucrative commissions2 so that1 with good management and economy1 ,i might in time begin business with advantage for myself4 ,i relished these proposals4 ,london began to tire me2 the agreeable hours ,i had passed at ,philadelphia presented themselves to my mind1 and ,i wished to see them revive4 ,i consequently engaged myself to ,mr4 ,denham1 at a salary of fifty pounds a year4 ,this was1 indeed less than ,i earned as a compositor1 but then ,i had a much fairer prospect4 ,i took leave therefore1 as ,i believed for ever1 of printing1 and gave myself up entirely to my new occupation1 spending all my time either in going from house to house with ,mr4 ,denham to purchase goods1 or in packing them up1 or in expediting the workmen1 c4 c4 ,when every thing1 however1 was on board1 ,i had at last a few days leisure4 ,during this interval1 ,i was one day sent for by a gentleman1 whom ,i knew only by name4 ,it was ,sir ,william ,wyndham4 ,i went to his house4 ,he had by some means heard of my performances between ,chelsea and ,blackfriars1 and that ,i had taught the art of swimming to ,wygate and another young man in the course of a few hours4 ,his two sons were on the point of setting out on their travels2 he was desirous that they should previously learn to swim1 and offered me a very liberal reward if ,i would undertake to instruct them4 ,they were not yet arrived in town1 and the stay ,i should make was uncertain2 ,i could not therefore accept his proposal4 ,i was led1 however1 to suppose from this incident1 that if ,i had wished to remain in ,london1 and open a swimming school1 ,i should perhaps have gained a great deal of money4 ,this idea struck me so forcibly that1 had the offer been made sooner1 ,i should have dismissed the thought of returning as yet to ,america4 ,some years after1 you and ,i had a more important business to settle with one of the sons of ,sir ,william ,wyndham1 then ,lord ,egremont4 ,but let us not anticipate events4 ,i thus passed about eighteen months in ,london1 working almost without intermission at my trade1 avoiding all expence on my own account1 except going now and then to the play1 and purchasing a few books4 ,but my friend ,ralph kept me poor4 ,he owed me about twenty-seven pounds1 which was so much money lost2 and when considered as taken from my little savings1 was a very great sum4 ,i had1 notwithstanding this1 a regard for him1 as he possessed many amiable qualities4 ,but though ,i had done nothing for myself in point of fortune1 ,i had increased my stock of knowledge1 either by the many excellent books ,i had read1 or the conversation of learned and literary persons with whom ,i was acquainted4 ,we sailed from ,gravesend the #bc;d of ,july1 #agbf4 ,for the incidents of my voyage ,i refer you to my ,journal1 where you will find all its circumstances minutely related4 ,we landed at ,philadelphia on the #aath of the following ,october4 ,keith had been deprived of his office of governor1 and was succeeded by ,major ,gordon4 ,i met him walking in the streets as a private individual4 ,he appeared a little ashamed at seeing me1 but passed on without saying any thing4 ,i should have been equally ashamed myself at meeting ,miss ,read1 had not her family1 justly despairing of my return after reading my letter1 advised her to give me up1 and marry a potter1 of the name of ,rogers2 to which she consented3 but he never made her happy1 and she soon separated from him1 refusing to cohabit with him1 or even bear his name1 on account of a report which prevailed1 of his having another wife4 ,his skill in his profession had seduced ,miss ,read's parents2 but he was as bad a subject as he was excellent as a workman4 ,he involved himself in debt1 and fled1 in the year #agbg or #agbh1 to the ,west ,indies1 where he died4 ,during my absence ,keimer had taken a more considerable house1 in which he kept a shop1 that was well supplied with paper1 and various other articles4 ,he had procured some new types1 and a number of workmen2 among whom1 however1 there was not one who was good for any thing2 and he appeared not to want business4 ,mr4 ,denham took a warehouse in ,water-street1 where we exhibited our commodities4 ,i applied myself closely1 studied accounts1 and became in a short time very expert in trade4 ,we lodged and ate together4 ,he was sincerely attached to me1 and acted towards me as if he had been my father4 ,on my side1 ,i respected and loved him4 ,my situation was happy2 but it was a happiness of no long duration4 ,early in ,february1 #agbg1 when ,i entered into my twenty-second year1 we were both taken ill4 ,i was attacked with a pleurisy1 which had nearly carried me off2 ,i suffered terribly1 and considered it as all over with me4 ,i felt indeed a sort of disappointment when ,i found myself likely to recover1 and regretted that ,i had still to experience1 sooner or later1 the same disagreeable scene again4 ,i have forgotten what was ,mr4 ,denham's disorder2 but it was a tedious one1 and he at last sunk under it4 ,he left me a small legacy in his will1 as a testimony of his friendship2 and ,i was once more abandoned to myself in the wide world1 the warehouse being confided to the care of testamentary executor1 who dismissed me4 ,my brother-in-law1 ,holmes1 who happened to be at ,philadelphia1 advised me to return to my former profession2 and ,keimer offered me a very considerable salary if ,i would undertake the management of his printing-office1 that he might devote himself entirely to the superintendence of his shop4 ,his wife and relations in ,london had given me a bad character of him2 and ,i was loth1 for the present1 to have any concern with him4 ,i endeavoured to get employment as a clerk to a merchant2 but not readily finding a situation1 ,i was induced to accept ,keimer's proposal4 ,the following were the persons ,i found in his printing-house3 ,hugh ,meredith1 a ,pennsylvanian1 about thirty-five years of age4 ,he had been brought up to husbandry1 was honest1 sensible1 had some experience1 and was fond of reading2 but too much addicted to drinking4 ,stephen ,potts1 a young rustic1 just broke from school1 and of rustic education1 with endowments rather above the common order1 and a competent portion of understanding and gaiety2 but a little idle4 ,keimer had engaged these two at very low wages1 which he had promised to raise every three months a shilling a week1 provided their improvement in the typographic art should merit it4 ,this future increase of wages was the bait he had made use of to ensnare them4 ,meredith was to work at the press1 and ,potts to bind books1 which he had engaged to teach them1 though he understood neither himself4 ,john ,savage1 an ,irishman1 who had been brought up to no trade1 and whose service1 for a period of four years1 ,keimer had purchased of the captain of a ship4 ,he was also to be a pressman4 ,george ,webb1 an ,oxford scholar1 whose time he had in like manner bought for four years1 intending him for a compositor4 ,i shall speak more of him presently4 ,lastly1 ,david ,harry1 a country lad1 who was apprenticed to him4 ,i soon perceived that ,keimer's intention1 in engaging me at a price so much above what he was accustomed to give1 was1 that ,i might form all these raw journeymen and apprentices1 who scarcely cost him any thing1 and who1 being indentured1 would1 as soon as they should be sufficiently instructed1 enable him to do without me4 ,i nevertheless adhered to my agreement4 ,i put the office in order1 which was in the utmost confusion1 and brought his people by degrees1 to pay attention to their work1 and to execute it in a more masterly style4 ,it was singular to see an ,oxford scholar in the condition of a purchased servant4 ,he was not more than eighteen years of age1 and the following are the particulars he gave me of himself4 ,born at ,gloucester1 he had been educated at a grammar-school1 and had distinguished himself among the scholars by his superior style of acting1 when they represented dramatic performances4 ,he was a member of a literary club in the town2 and some pieces of his composition1 in prose as well as in verse1 had been inserted in the ,gloucester papers4 ,from hence he was sent to ,oxford1 where he remained about a year3 but he was not contented1 and wished above all things to see ,london1 and become an actor4 ,at length1 having received fifteen guineas to pay his quarter's board1 he decamped with the money1 from ,oxford1 hid his gown in a hedge1 and travelled to ,london4 ,there1 having no friend to direct him1 he fell into bad company1 soon squandered his fifteen guineas1 could find no way of being introduced to the actors1 became contemptible1 pawned his cloaths1 and was in want of bread4 ,as he was walking along the streets1 almost famished with hunger1 and not knowing what to do1 a recruiting-bill was put into his hand1 which offered an immediate treat and bounty-money to whoever was disposed to serve in ,america4 ,he instantly repaired to the house of rendezvous1 inlisted himself1 was put on board a ship and conveyed to ,america1 without ever writing a line to inform his parents what was become of him4 ,his mental vivacity1 and good natural disposition1 made him an excellent companion2 but he was indolent1 thoughtless1 and to the last degree imprudent4 ,john1 the ,irishman1 soon ran away4 ,i began to live very agreeably with the rest4 ,they respected me1 and the more so as they found ,keimer incapable of instructing them1 and as they learned something from me every day4 ,we never worked on a ,saturday1 it being ,keimer's ,sabbath1 so that ,i had two days a week for reading4 ,i increased my acquaintance with persons of information and knowledge in the town4 ,keimer himself treated me with great civility1 and apparent esteem2 and ,i had nothing to give me uneasiness but my debt to ,vernon1 which ,i was unable to pay1 my savings as yet being very little4 ,he had the goodness1 however1 not to ask me for the money4 ,our press was frequently in want of the necessary quantity of letter1 and there was no such trade as that of letter-founder in ,america4 ,i had seen the practice of this art at the house of ,james1 in ,london1 but had at the time paid it very little attention2 ,i however1 contrived to fabricate a mould4 ,i made use of such letters as we had for punches1 founded new letters of lead in mattrices of clay1 and thus supplied in a tolerable manner the wants that were most pressing4 ,i also1 upon occasion1 engraved various ornaments1 made ink1 gave an eye to the shop--in short1 ,i was in every respect the factotum4 ,but useful as ,i made myself1 ,i perceived that my services became every day of less importance1 in proportion as the other men improved2 and when ,keimer paid me my second quarter's wages1 he gave me to understand they were too heavy1 and that he thought ,i ought to make an abatement4 ,he became by degrees less civil1 and assumed more the tone of master4 ,he frequently found fault1 was difficult to please1 and seemed always on the point of coming to an open quarrel with me4 ,i continued1 however1 to bear it patiently1 conceiving that his ill humour was partly occasioned by the derangement and embarrassment of his affairs4 ,at last a slight incident broke our connection4 ,hearing a noise in the neighbourhood1 ,i put my head out at the window1 to see what was the matter4 ,keimer being in the street1 observed me1 and in a loud and angry tone bid me to mind my work2 adding some reproachful words1 which piqued me the more1 as they were uttered in the street2 and the neighbours1 whom the same noise attracted to the windows1 were witnesses of the manner in which ,i was treated4 ,he immediately came up to the printing-room1 where he continued to exclaim against me4 ,the quarrel became warm on both sides1 and he gave me notice to quit him at the expiration of three months1 as had been agreed upon between us2 regretting that he was obliged to give me so long a term4 ,i told him that his regret was superfluous1 as ,i was ready to quit him instantly2 and ,i took my hat and came out of the house1 begging ,meredith to take care of some things which ,i left1 and bring them to my lodgings4 ,meredith came to me in the evening4 ,we talked for some time upon the quarrel that had taken place4 ,he had conceived a great veneration for me1 and was sorry ,i should quit the house1 while he remained in it4 ,he dissuaded me from returning to my native country1 as ,i began to think of doing4 ,he reminded me that ,keimer owed more than he possessed2 that his creditors began to be alarmed2 that he kept his shop in a wretched state1 often selling things at prime cost for the sake of ready money1 and continually giving credit without keeping any accounts2 that of consequence he must very soon fail1 which would occasion a vacancy from which ,i might derive advantage4 ,i objected my want of money4 ,upon which he informed me that his father had a very high opinion of me1 and1 from a conversation that had passed between them1 he was sure he would advance whatever might be necessary to establish us1 if ,i was willing to enter into partnership with him4 ,my time with ,keimer1 added he1 will be at an end next spring4 ,in the mean time we may send to ,london for our press and types4 ,i know that ,i am no workman2 but if you agree to the proposal1 your skill in the business will be balanced by the capital ,i shall furnish1 and we will share the profits equally4 ,his proposal was reasonable1 and ,i fell in with it4 ,his father1 who was then in town1 approved of it4 ,he knew that ,i had some ascendancy over his son1 as ,i had been able to prevail on him to abstain for a long time from drinking brandy2 and he hoped that1 when more closely connected with him1 ,i should cure him entirely of this unfortunate habit4 ,i gave the father a list of what it would be necessary to import from ,london4 ,he took it to a merchant1 and the order was given4 ,we agreed to keep the secret till the arrival of the materials1 and ,i was in the mean time to procure work1 if possible1 in another printing-house2 but there was no place vacant1 and ,i remained idle4 ,after some days1 ,keimer having the expectation of being employed to print some ,new ,jersey money-bills1 that would require types and engravings which ,i only could furnish1 and fearful that ,bradford1 by engaging me1 might deprive him of this undertaking1 sent me a very civil message1 telling me that old friends ought not to be disunited on account of a few words1 which were the effect only of a momentary passion1 and inviting me to return to him4 ,meredith persuaded me to comply with the invitation1 particularly as it would afford him more opportunities of improving himself in the business1 by means of my instructions4 ,i did so2 and we lived upon better terms than before our separation4 ,he obtained the ,new ,jersey business2 and1 in order to execute it1 ,i constructed a copper-plate printing-press6 the first that had been seen in the country4 ,i engraved various ornaments and vignettes for the bills2 and we repaired to ,burlington together1 where ,i executed the whole to the general satisfaction2 and he received a sum of money for this work1 which enabled him to keep his head above water for a considerable time longer4 ,at ,burlington ,i formed an acquaintance with the principal personages of the province2 many of whom were commissioned by the assembly to superintend the press1 and to see that no more bills were printed than the law had prescribed4 ,accordingly they were constantly with us1 each in his turn2 and he that came1 commonly brought with him a friend or two to bear him company4 ,my mind was more cultivated by reading than ,keimer's2 and it was for this reason1 probably1 that they set more value on my conversation4 ,they took me to their houses1 introduced me to their friends1 and treated me with the greatest civility2 while ,keimer1 though master1 saw himself a little neglected4 ,he was1 in fact1 a strange animal1 ignorant of the common modes of life1 apt to oppose with rudeness generally received opinions1 an enthusiast in certain points of religion1 disgustingly unclean in his person1 and a little knavish withal4 ,we remained there nearly three months1 and at the expiration of this period ,i could include in the list of my friends1 ,judge ,allen1 ,samuel ,bustil1 secretary of the province1 ,isaac ,pearson1 ,joseph ,cooper1 several of the ,smiths1 all members of the assembly1 and ,isaac ,decon1 inspector-general4 ,the last was a shrewd and subtle old man4 ,he told me1 that1 when a boy1 his first employment had been that of carrying clay to the brick-makers2 that he did not learn to write till he was somewhat advanced in life2 and that he was afterwards employed as an underling to a surveyor1 who taught him his trade1 and that by industry he had at last acquired a competent fortune4 ,i foresee1 said he one day to me1 that you will soon supplant this man1 speaking of ,keimer1 and get a fortune in the business at ,philadelphia4 ,he was wholly ignorant at the time1 of my intention of establishing myself there1 or any where else4 ,these friends were very serviceable to me in the end1 as was ,i also1 upon occasion1 to some of them2 and they have continued ever since their esteem for me4 ,before ,i relate the particulars of my entrance into business1 it may be proper to inform you what was at that time the state of my mind as to moral principles1 that you may see the degree of influence they had upon the subsequent events of my life4 ,my parents had given me betimes religious impressions2 and ,i received from my infancy a pious education in the principles of ,calvinism4 ,but scarcely was ,i arrived at fifteen years of age1 when1 after having doubted in turn of different tenets1 according as ,i found them combated in the different books that ,i read1 ,i began to doubt of revelation itself4 ,some volumes against deism fell into my hands4 ,they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at ,boyle's lecture4 ,it happened that they produced on me an effect precisely the reverse of what was intended by the writers2 for the arguments of the deists1 which were cited in order to be refuted1 appeared to me much more forcible than the refutation itself4 ,in a word1 ,i soon became a perfect deist4 ,my arguments perverted some other young persons1 particularly ,collins and ,ralph4 ,but in the sequel1 when ,i recollected that they had both used me extremely ill1 without the smallest remorse2 when ,i considered the behaviour of ,keith1 another free-thinker1 and my own conduct towards ,vernon and ,miss ,read1 which at times gave me great uneasiness1 ,i was led to suspect that this doctrine1 though it might be true1 was not very useful4 ,i began to entertain a less favourable opinion of my ,london pamphlet to which ,i had prefixed as a motto1 the following lines of ,dryden3 ,whatever is--is right2 though purblind man ,sees but a part of the chain1 the nearest link1 ,his eyes not carrying to the equal beam ,that poises all above4 ,and of which the object was to prove1 from the attributes of ,god1 his goodness1 wisdom1 and power1 that there could be no such thing as evil in the world2 that vice and virtue did not in reality exist1 and were nothing more than vain distinctions4 ,i no longer regarded it as so blameless a work as ,i had formerly imagined2 and ,i suspected that some error must have imperceptibly glided into my argument1 by which all the inferences ,i had drawn from it had been affected1 as frequently happens in metaphysical reasonings4 ,in a word1 ,i was at last convinced that truth1 probity1 and sincerity in transactions between man and man1 were of the utmost importance to the happiness of life2 and ,i resolved from that moment1 and wrote the resolution in my journal1 to practise them as long as ,i lived4 ,revelation1 indeed1 as such1 had no influence on my mind2 but ,i was of opinion that1 though certain actions could not be bad merely because revelation had prohibited them1 or good because it enjoined them1 yet it was probable that those actions were prohibited because they were bad for us1 or enjoined because advantageous in their nature1 all things considered4 ,this persuasion1 divine providence1 or some guardian angel1 and perhaps a concurrence of favourable circumstances co-operating1 preserved me from all immorality1 or gross and voluntary1 injustice1 to which my want of religion was calculated to expose me1 in the dangerous period of youth1 and in the hazardous situations in which ,i sometimes found myself1 among strangers1 and at a distance from the eye and admonitions of my father4 ,i may say voluntary1 because the errors into which ,i had fallen1 had been in a manner the forced result either of my own inexperience1 or the dishonesty of others4 ,thus1 before ,i entered on my new career1 ,i had imbibed solid principles1 and a character of probity4 ,i knew their value2 and ,i made a solemn engagement with myself never to depart from them4 ,i had not long returned from ,burlington before our printing materials arrived from ,london4 ,i settled my accounts with ,keimer1 and quitted him1 with his own consent1 before he had any knowledge of our plan4 ,we found a house to let near the market4 ,we took it2 and to render the rent less burdensome1 7it was then twenty-four pounds a year1 but ,i have since known it let for seventy17 we admitted ,thomas ,godfrey1 a glazier1 with his family1 who eased us of a considerable part of it2 and with him we agreed to board4 ,we had no sooner unpacked our letters1 and put our press in order1 than a person of my acquaintance1 ,george ,house1 brought us a countryman1 whom he had met in the streets enquiring for a printer4 ,our money was almost exhausted by the number of things we had been obliged to procure4 ,the five shillings we received from this countryman1 the first fruits of our earnings1 coming so seasonably1 gave me more pleasure than any sum ,i have since gained2 and the recollection of the gratitude ,i felt on this occasion to ,george ,house1 has rendered me often more disposed1 than perhaps ,i should otherwise have been1 to encourage young beginners in trade4 ,there are in every country morose beings1 who are always prognosticating ruin4 ,there was one of this stamp at ,philadelphia4 ,he was a man of fortune1 declining in years1 had an air of wisdom1 and a very grave manner of speaking4 ,his name was ,samuel ,mickle4 ,i knew him not2 but he stopped one day at my door1 and asked me if ,i was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house4 ,upon my answering in the affirmative1 he said he was very sorry for me1 as it was an expensive undertaking1 and the money that had been laid out upon it would be lost1 ,philadelphia being a place falling into decay2 its inhabitants having all1 or nearly all of them1 been obliged to call together their creditors4 ,that he knew1 from undoubted fact1 the circumstances which might lead us to suppose the contrary1 such as new buildings1 and the advanced price of rent1 to be deceitful appearances1 which1 in reality1 contributed to hasten the general ruin2 and he gave me so long a detail of misfortunes1 actually existing1 or which were soon to take place1 that he left me almost in a state of despair4 ,had ,i known this man before ,i entered into trade1 ,i should doubtless never have ventured4 ,he continued1 however1 to live in this place of decay1 and to declaim in the same style1 refusing for many years to buy a house because all was going to wreck2 and in the end ,i had the satisfaction to see him pay five times as much for one as it would have cost him had he purchased it when he first began his lamentations4 ,i ought to have related1 that1 during the autumn of the preceding year1 ,i had united the majority of well-informed persons of my acquaintance into a club1 which we called by the name of the ,junto1 and the object of which was to improve our understandings4 ,we met every ,friday evening4 ,the regulations ,i drew up1 obliged every member to propose1 in his turn1 one or more questions upon some point of morality1 politics1 or philosophy1 which were to be discussed by the society2 and to read1 once in three months1 an essay of his own composition1 on whatever subject he pleased4 ,our debates were under the direction of a president1 and were to be dictated only by a sincere desire of truth2 the pleasure of disputing1 and the vanity of triumph having no share in the business2 and in order to prevent undue warmth1 every expression which implied obstinate adherence to an opinion1 and all direct contradiction1 were prohibited1 under small pecuniary penalties4 ,the first members of our club were ,joseph ,breintnal1 whose occupation was that of a scrivener4 ,he was a middle-aged man1 of a good natural disposition1 strongly attached to his friends1 a great lover of poetry1 reading every thing that came in his way1 and writing tolerably well1 ingenious in many little trifles1 and of an agreeable conversation4 ,thomas ,godfrey1 a skilful1 though self-taught mathematician1 and who was afterwards the inventor of what now goes by the name of ,hadley's quadrant2 but he had little knowledge out of his own line1 and was insupportable in company1 always requiring1 like the majority of mathematicians that had fallen in my way1 an unusual precision in every thing that is said1 continually contradicting1 or making trifling distinctions2 a sure way of defeating all the ends of conversation4 ,he very soon left us4 ,nicholas ,scull1 a surveyor1 and who became afterwards1 surveyor-general4 ,he was fond of books1 and wrote verses4 ,william ,parsons1 brought up to the trade of a shoe-maker1 but who1 having a taste for reading1 had acquired a profound knowledge of mathematics4 ,he first studied them with a view to astrology1 and was1 afterwards1 the first to laugh at his folly4 ,he also became surveyor-general4 ,william ,mawgridge1 a joiner1 and very excellent mechanic2 and in other respects a man of solid understanding4 ,hugh ,meredith1 ,stephen ,potts1 and ,george ,webb1 of whom ,i have already spoken4 ,robert ,grace1 a young man of fortune2 generous1 animated1 and witty2 fond of epigrams1 but more fond of his friends4 ,and lastly1 ,william ,coleman1 at that time a merchant's clerk1 and nearly of my own age4 ,he had a cooler and clearer head1 a better heart1 and more scrupulous morals1 than almost any other person ,i have ever met with4 ,he became a very respectable merchant1 and one of our provincial judges4 ,our friendship subsisted1 without interruption1 for more than forty years1 till the period of his death2 and the club continued to exist almost as long4 ,this was the best school of politics and philosophy that then existed in the province2 for our questions1 which were read a week previous to their discussion1 induced us to peruse attentively such books as were written upon the subjects proposed1 that we might be able to speak upon them more pertinently4 ,we thus acquired the habit of conversing more agreeably2 every object being discussed conformably to our regulations1 and in a manner to prevent mutual disgust4 ,to this circumstance may be attributed the long duration of the club2 which ,i shall have frequent occasion to mention as ,i proceed4 ,i have introduced it here1 as being one of the means on which ,i had to count for success in my business1 every member exerting himself to procure work for us4 ,breintnal1 among others1 obtained for us1 on the part of the ,quakers1 the printing of forty sheets of their history2 of which the rest was to be done by ,keimer4 ,our execution of this work was by no means masterly2 as the price was very low4 ,it was in folio1 upon pro patria paper1 and in the pica letter1 with heavy notes in the smallest type4 ,i composed a sheet a-day1 and ,meredith put it to the press4 ,it was frequently eleven o'clock at night1 sometimes later1 before ,i had finished my distribution for the next day's task2 for the little things which our friends occasionally sent us1 kept us back in this work3 but ,i was so determined to compose a sheet a-day1 that one evening1 when my form was imposed1 and my day's work1 as ,i thought1 at an end1 an accident having broken this form1 and deranged two complete folio pages1 ,i immediately distributed1 and composed them anew before ,i went to bed4 ,this unwearied industry1 which was perceived by our neighbours1 began to acquire us reputation and credit4 ,i learned1 among other things1 that our new printing-house being the subject of conversation at a club of merchants1 who met every evening1 it was the general opinion that it would fail2 there being already two printing-houses in the town1 ,keimer's and ,bradford's4 ,but ,dr4 ,bard1 whom you and ,i had occasion to see1 many years after1 at his native town of ,st4 ,andrew's1 in ,scotland1 was of a different opinion4 ,the industry of this ,franklin1 7said he17 is superior to any thing of the kind ,i ever witnessed4 ,i see him still at work when ,i return from the club at night1 and he is at it again in the morning before his neighbours are out of bed4 ,this account struck the rest of the assembly1 and shortly after1 one of its members came to our house1 and offered to supply us with articles of stationary2 but we wished not as yet to embarrass ourselves with keeping a shop4 ,it is not for the sake of applause that ,i enter so freely into the particulars of my industry1 but that such of my descendants as shall read these memoirs may know the use of this virtue1 by seeing in the recital of my life the effects it operated in my favour4 ,george ,webb1 having found a friend who lent him the necessary sum to buy out his time of ,keimer1 came one day to offer himself to us as a journeyman4 ,we could not employ him immediately2 but ,i foolishly told him1 under the rose1 that ,i intended shortly to publish a new periodical paper1 and that we should then have work for him4 ,my hopes of success1 which ,i imparted to him1 were founded on the circumstance1 that the only paper we had in ,philadelphia at that time1 and which ,bradford printed1 was a paltry thing1 miserably conducted1 in no respect amusing1 and which yet was profitable4 ,i consequently supposed that a good work of this kind could not fail of success4 ,webb betrayed my secret to ,keimer1 who1 to prevent me1 immediately published the prospectus of a paper that he intended to institute himself1 and in which ,webb was to be engaged4 ,i was exasperated at this proceeding1 and1 with a view to counteract them1 not being able at present to institute my own paper1 ,i wrote some humourous pieces in ,bradford's1 under the title of the ,busy ,body#e2 and which was continued for several months by ,breintnal4 ,i hereby fixed the attention of the public upon ,bradford's paper2 and the prospectus of ,keimer1 which we turned into ridicule1 was treated with contempt4 ,he began1 notwithstanding1 his paper2 and after continuing it for nine months1 having at most not more than ninety subscribers1 he offered it me for a mere trifle4 ,i had for some time been ready for such an engagement2 ,i therefore instantly took it upon myself1 and1 in a few years1 it proved extremely profitable to me4 ,i perceive that ,i am apt to speak in the first person1 though our partnership still continued4 ,it is1 perhaps1 because1 in fact1 the whole business devolved upon me4 ,meredith was no compositor1 and but an indifferent pressman2 and it was rarely that he abstained from hard drinking4 ,my friends were sorry to see me connected with him2 but ,i contrived to derive from it the utmost advantage the case admitted4 ,our first number produced no other effect than any other paper which had appeared in the province1 as to type and printing2 but some remarks1 in my peculiar style of writing1 upon the dispute which then prevailed between governor ,burnet and the ,massachusetts assembly1 struck some persons as above mediocrity1 caused the paper and its editors to be talked of1 and in a few weeks1 induced them to become our subscribers4 ,many others followed their example2 and our subscription continued to increase4 ,this was one of the first good effects of the pains ,i had taken to learn to put my ideas on paper4 ,i derived this farther advantage from it1 that the leading men of the place1 seeing in the author of this publication a man so well able to use his pen1 thought it right to patronize and encourage me4 ,the votes1 laws1 and other public pieces1 were printed by ,bradford4 ,an address of the house of assembly to the governor had been executed by him in a very coarse and incorrect manner4 ,we reprinted it with accuracy and neatness1 and sent a copy to every member4 ,they perceived the difference2 and it so strengthened the influence of our friends in the assembly1 that we were nominated its printer for the following year4 ,among these friends ,i ought not to forget one member in particular1 ,mr4 ,hamilton1 whom ,i have mentioned in a former part of my narrative1 and who was now returned from ,england4 ,he warmly interested himself for me on this occasion1 as he did likewise on many others afterwards2 having continued his kindness to me till his death4 ,about this period ,mr4 ,vernon reminded me of the debt ,i owed him1 but without pressing me for payment4 ,i wrote a handsome letter on the occasion1 begging him to wait a little longer1 to which he consented2 and as soon as ,i was able ,i paid him1 principal and interest1 with many expressions of gratitude2 so that this error of my life was in a manner atoned for4 ,but another trouble now happened to me1 which ,i had not the smallest reason to expect4 ,meredith's father1 who1 according to our agreement1 was to defray the whole expence of our printing materials1 had only paid a hundred pounds4 ,another hundred was still due1 and the merchant being tired of waiting1 commenced a suit against us4 ,we bailed the action1 but with the melancholy prospect1 that1 if the money was not forthcoming at the time fixed1 the affair would come to issue1 judgment be put in execution1 our delightful hopes be annihilated1 and ourselves entirely ruined2 as the type and press must be sold1 perhaps1 at half their value1 to pay the debt4 ,in this distress1 two real friends1 whose generous conduct ,i have never forgotten1 and never shall forget while ,i retain the remembrance of any thing1 came to me separately1 without the knowledge of each other1 and without my having applied to either of them4 ,each offered me whatever money might be necessary to take the business into my own hands1 if the thing was practicable1 as they did not like ,i should continue in partnership with ,meredith1 who1 they said1 was frequently seen drunk in the streets1 and gambling at ale-houses1 which very much injured our credit4 ,these friends were ,william ,coleman and ,robert ,grace4 ,i told them1 that while there remained any probability that the ,merediths would fulfil their part of the compact1 ,i could not propose a separation1 as ,i conceived myself to be under obligations to them for what they had done already1 and were still disposed to do1 if they had the power2 but1 in the end1 should they fail in their engagement1 and our partnership be dissolved1 ,i should then think myself at liberty to accept the kindness of my friends4 ,things remained for some time in this state4 ,at last1 ,i said one day to my partner1 ,your father is1 perhaps1 dissatisfied with your having a share only in the business1 and is unwilling to do for two1 what he would do for you alone4 ,tell me frankly if that be the case1 and ,i will resign the whole to you1 and do for myself as well as ,i can4--,no1 7said he17 my father has really been disappointed in his hopes2 he is not able to pay1 and ,i wish to put him to no farther inconvenience4 ,i see that ,i am not at all calculated for a printer2 ,i was educated as a farmer1 and it was absurd in me to come here1 at thirty years of age1 and bind myself apprentice to a new trade4 ,many of my countrymen are going to settle in ,north ,carolina1 where the soil is exceedingly favourable4 ,i am tempted to go with them1 and to resume my former occupation4 ,you will doubtless find friends who will assist you4 ,if you will take upon yourself the debts of the partnership1 return my father the hundred pounds he has advanced1 pay my little personal debts1 and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle1 ,i will renounce the partnership1 and consign over the whole stock to you4 ,i accepted this proposal without hesitation4 ,it was committed to paper1 and signed and sealed without delay4 ,i gave him what he demanded1 and he departed soon after for ,carolina1 from whence he sent me1 in the following year1 two long letters1 containing the best accounts that had yet been given of that country1 as to climate1 soil1 agriculture1 c4 for he was well versed in these matters4 ,i published them in my newspaper1 and they were received with great satisfaction4 ,as soon as he was gone1 ,i applied to my two friends1 and not wishing to give a disobliging preference to either of them1 ,i accepted from each1 half what he had offered me1 and which it was necessary ,i should have4 ,i paid the partnership debts1 and continued the business on my own account2 taking care to inform the public1 by advertisement1 of the partnership being dissolved4 ,this was1 ,i think1 in the year #agbi1 or thereabout4 ,nearly at the same period1 the people demanded a new emission of paper money2 the existing and only one that had taken place in the province1 and which amounted to fifteen thousand pounds1 being soon to expire4 ,the wealthy inhabitants1 prejudiced against every sort of paper currency1 from the fear of its depreciation1 of which there had been an instance in the province of ,new ,england1 to the injury of its holders1 strongly opposed the measure4 ,we had discussed this affair in our ,junto1 in which ,i was on the side of the new emission2 convinced that the first small sum1 fabricated in #agbc1 had done much good in the province1 by favouring commerce1 industry1 and population1 since all the houses were now inhabited1 and many others building2 whereas ,i remembered to have seen1 when ,i first paraded the streets of ,philadelphia eating my roll1 the majority of those in ,walnut-street1 ,second-street1 ,fourth-street1 as well as a great number in ,chesnut and other streets1 with papers on them signifying that they were to be let2 which made me think at the time that the inhabitants of the town were deserting it one after another4 ,our debates made me so fully master of the subject1 that ,i wrote and published an anonymous pamphlet1 entitled1 ,an ,enquiry into the ,nature and ,necessity of a ,paper currency4 ,it was very well received by the lower and middling class of people2 but it displeased the opulent1 as it increased the clamour in favour of the new emission4 ,having1 however1 no writer among them capable of answering it1 their opposition became less violent2 and there being in the house of assembly a majority for the measure1 it passed4 ,the friends ,i had acquired in the house1 persuaded that ,i had done the country essential service on this occasion1 rewarded me by giving me the printing of the bills4 ,it was a lucrative employment1 and proved a very seasonable help to me2 another advantage which ,i derived from having habituated myself to write4 ,time and experience so fully demonstrated the utility of paper currency1 that it never after experienced any considerable opposition2 so that it soon amounted to #ee1jjjl4 and in the year #agci1 to #hj1jjjl4 ,it has since risen1 during the last war1 to #cej1jjjl41 trade1 buildings and population1 having in the interval continually increased3 but ,i am now convinced that there are limits beyond which paper money would be prejudicial4 ,i soon after obtained1 by the influence of my friend ,hamilton1 the printing of the ,newcastle paper money1 another profitable work1 as ,i then thought it1 little things appearing great to persons of moderate fortune2 and they were really great to me1 as proving great encouragements4 ,he also procured me the printing of the laws and votes of that government1 which ,i retained as long as ,i continued in the business4 ,i now opened a small stationer's shop4 ,i kept bonds and agreements of all kinds1 drawn up in a more accurate form than had yet been seen in that part of the world2 a work in which ,i was assisted by my friend ,breintnal4 ,i had also paper1 parchment1 pasteboard1 books1 c4 ,one ,whitemash1 an excellent compositor1 whom ,i had known in ,london1 came to offer himself1 ,i engaged him3 and he continued constantly and diligently to work with me4 ,i also took an apprentice1 the son of ,aquila ,rose4 ,i began to pay1 by degrees1 the debt ,i had contracted2 and1 in order to insure my credit and character as a tradesman1 ,i took care not only to be really industrious and frugal1 but also to avoid every appearance of the contrary4 ,i was plainly dressed1 and never seen in any place of public amusement4 ,i never went a fishing or hunting4 ,a book1 indeed1 enticed me sometimes from my work1 but it was seldom1 by stealth1 and occasioned no scandal2 and to show that ,i did not think myself above my profession1 ,i conveyed home1 sometimes in a wheelbarrow1 the paper ,i purchased at the warehouses4 ,i thus obtained the reputation of being an industrious young man1 and very punctual in his payments4 ,the merchants who imported articles of stationary solicited my custom2 others offered to furnish me with books1 and my little trade went on prosperously4 ,meanwhile the credit and business of ,keimer diminishing every day1 he was at last forced to sell his stock to satisfy his creditors2 and he betook himself to ,barbadoes1 where he lived for sometime in a very impoverished state4 ,his apprentice1 ,david ,harry1 whom ,i had instructed while ,i worked for ,keimer1 having bought his materials1 succeeded him in the business4 ,i was apprehensive1 at first1 of finding in ,harry a powerful competitor1 as he was allied to an opulent and respectable family2 ,i therefore proposed a partnership1 which1 happily for me1 he rejected with disdain4 ,he was extremely proud1 thought himself a fine gentleman1 lived extravagantly1 and pursued amusements which suffered him to be scarcely ever at home2 of consequence he became in debt1 neglected his business1 and business neglected him4 ,finding in a short time nothing to do in the country1 he followed ,keimer to ,barbadoes1 carrying his printing materials with him4 ,there the apprentice employed his old master as a journeyman4 ,they were continually quarrelling2 and ,harry still getting in debt1 was obliged at last to sell his press and types1 and return to his old occupation of husbandry in ,pennsylvania4 ,the person who purchased them employed ,keimer to manage the business2 but he died a few years after4 ,i had now at ,philadelphia no competitor but ,bradford1 who1 being in easy circumstances1 did not engage in the printing of books1 except now and then as workmen chanced to offer themselves2 and was not anxious to extend his trade4 ,he had1 however1 one advantage over me1 as he had the direction of the post-office1 and was of consequence supposed to have better opportunities of obtaining news4 ,his paper was also supposed to be more advantageous to advertising customers2 and in consequence of that supposition1 his advertisements were much more numerous than mine3 this was a source of great profit to him1 and disadvantageous to me4 ,it was to no purpose that ,i really procured other papers1 and distributed my own1 by means of the post2 the public took for granted my inability in this respect2 and ,i was indeed unable to conquer it in any other mode than by bribing the post-boys1 who served me only by stealth1 ,bradford being so illiberal as to forbid them4 ,this treatment of his excited my resentment2 and my disgust was so rooted1 that1 when ,i afterwards succeeded him in the post-office1 ,i took care to avoid copying his example4 ,i had hitherto continued to board with ,godfrey1 who1 with his wife and children1 occupied part of my house1 and half of the shop for his business2 at which indeed he worked very little1 being always absorbed by mathematics4 ,mrs4 ,godfrey formed a wish of marrying me to the daughter of one of her relations4 ,she contrived various opportunities of bringing us together1 till she saw that ,i was captivated2 which was not difficult1 the lady in question possessing great personal merit4 ,the parents encouraged my addresses1 by inviting me continually to supper1 and leaving us together1 till at last it was time to come to an explanation4 ,mrs4 ,godfrey undertook to negociate our little treaty4 ,i gave her to understand1 that ,i expected to receive with the young lady a sum of money that would enable me at least to discharge the remainder of the debt for my printing materials4 ,it was then1 ,i believe1 not more than a hundred pounds4 ,she brought me for answer1 that they had no such sum at their disposal4 ,i observed that it might easily be obtained1 by a mortgage on their house4 ,the reply to this was1 after a few days interval1 that they did not approve of the match2 that they had consulted ,bradford1 and found that the business of a printer was not lucrative2 that my letters would soon be worn out1 and must be supplied with new ones2 that ,keimer and ,harry had failed1 and that1 probably1 ,i should do so too4 ,accordingly they forbade me the house1 and the young lady was confined4 ,i know not if they had really changed their minds1 or if it was merely an artifice1 supposing our affections to be too far engaged for us to desist1 and that we should contrive to marry secretly1 which would leave them at liberty to give or not as they pleased4 ,but1 suspecting this motive1 ,i never went again to their house4 ,some time after1 ,mrs4 ,godfrey informed me that they were very favourably disposed towards me1 and wished me to renew the acquaintance2 but ,i declared a firm resolution never to have any thing more to do with the family4 ,the ,godfreys expressed some resentment at this3 and as we could no longer agree1 they changed their residence1 leaving me in possession of the whole house4 ,i then resolved to take no more lodgers4 ,this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage1 ,i looked around me1 and made overtures of alliance in other quarters3 but ,i soon found that the profession of a printer being generally looked upon as a poor trade1 ,i could expect no money with a wife1 at least1 if ,i wished her to possess any other charm4 ,meanwhile1 that passion of youth1 so difficult to govern1 had often drawn me into intrigues with despicable women who fell in my way2 which were not unaccompanied with expence and inconvenience1 besides the perpetual risk of injuring my health1 and catching a disease which ,i dreaded above all things4 ,but ,i was fortunate enough to escape this danger4 ,as a neighbour and old acquaintance1 ,i had kept up a friendly intimacy with the family of ,miss ,read4 ,her parents had retained an affection for me from the time of my lodging in their house4 ,i was often invited thither2 they consulted me about their affairs1 and ,i had been sometimes serviceable to them4 ,i was touched with the unhappy situation of their daughter1 who was almost always melancholy1 and continually seeking solitude4 ,i regarded my forgetfulness and inconstancy1 during my abode in ,london1 as the principal cause of her misfortune1 though her mother had the candour to attribute the fault to herself1 rather than to me1 because after having prevented our marriage previously to my departure1 she had induced her to marry another in my absence4 ,our mutual affection revived2 but there existed great obstacles to our union4 ,her marriage was considered1 indeed1 as not being valid1 the man having1 it was said1 a former wife still living in ,england2 but of this it was difficult to obtain a proof at so great a distance2 and though a report prevailed of his being dead1 yet we had no certainty of it2 and supposing it to be true1 he had left many debts1 for the payment of which his successor might be sued4 ,we ventured1 nevertheless1 in spite of all these difficulties2 and ,i married her on the #ast of ,september1 #agcj4 ,none of the inconveniences we had feared happened to us4 ,she proved to me a good and faithful companion1 and contributed essentially to the success of my shop4 ,we prospered together1 and it was our mutual study to render each other happy4 ,thus ,i corrected1 as well as ,i could1 this great error of my youth4 ,our club was not at that time established at a tavern4 ,we held our meetings at the house of ,mr4 ,grace1 who appropriated a room to the purpose4 ,some member observed one day1 that as our books were frequently quoted in the course of our discussions1 it would be convenient to have them collected in the room in which we assembled1 in order to be consulted upon occasion2 and that1 by thus forming a common library of our individual collections1 each would have the advantage of using the books of all the other members1 which would nearly be the same as if he possessed them all himself4 ,the idea was approved1 and we accordingly brought such books as we thought we could spare1 which were placed at the end of the club-room4 ,they amounted not to so many as we expected2 and through we made considerable use of them1 yet some inconveniences resulting1 from want of care1 it was agreed1 after about a year1 to discontinue the collection2 and each took away such books as belonged to him4 ,it was now that ,i first started the idea of establishing1 by subscription1 a public library1 ,i drew up the proposals1 had them ingrossed in form by ,brockden the attorney1 and my project succeeded1 as will be seen in the sequel4 ,the life of ,dr4 ,franklin1 as written by himself1 so far as it has yet been communicated to the world1 breaks off in this place4 ,we understand that it was continued by him somewhat farther1 and we hope that the remainder will1 at some future period1 be communicated to the public4 ,we have no hesitation in supposing that every reader will find himself greatly interested by the frank simplicity and the philosophical discernment by which these pages are so eminently characterized4 ,we have therefore thought proper1 in order as much as possible to relieve his regret1 to subjoin the following continuation1 by one of the ,doctor's intimate friends4 ,it is extracted from an ,american periodical publication1 and was written by the late ,dr4 ,stuber1#f of ,philadelphia4 ,the promotion of literature had been little attended to in ,pennsylvania4 ,most of the inhabitants were too much immersed in business to think of scientific pursuits2 and those few1 whose inclinations led them to study1 found it difficult to gratify them1 from the want of libraries sufficiently large4 ,in such circumstances1 the establishment of a public library was an important event4 ,this was first set on foot by ,franklin1 about the year #agca4 ,fifty persons subscribed forty shillings each1 and agreed to pay ten shillings annually4 ,the number increased2 and in #agdb1 the company was incorporated by the name of ,the ,library ,company of ,philadelphia4 ,several other companies were formed in this city in imitation of it4 ,these were all at length united with the ,library ,company of ,philadelphia1 which thus received a considerable accession of books and property4 ,it now contains about eight thousand volumes on all subjects1 a philosophical apparatus1 and a well-chosen collection of natural and artificial curiosities4 ,for its support the company now possesses landed property of considerable value4 ,they have lately built an elegant house in ,fifth-street1 in the front of which will be erected a marble statue of their founder1 ,benjamin ,franklin4 ,this institution was greatly encouraged by the friends of literature in ,america and in ,great ,britain4 ,the ,penn family distinguished themselves by their donations4 ,amongst the earliest friends of this institution must be mentioned the late ,peter ,collinson1 the friend and correspondent of ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,he not only made considerable presents himself1 and obtained others from his friends1 but voluntarily undertook to manage the business of the ,company in ,london1 recommending books1 purchasing and shipping them4 ,his extensive knowledge1 and zeal for the promotion of science1 enabled him to execute this important trust with the greatest advantage4 ,he continued to perform these services for more than thirty years1 and uniformly refused to accept of any compensation4 ,during this time1 he communicated to the directors every information relative to improvements and discoveries in the arts1 agriculture1 and philosophy4 ,the beneficial influence of this institution was soon evident4 ,the terms of subscription to it were so moderate that it was accessible to every one4 ,its advantages were not confined to the opulent4 ,the citizens in the middle and lower walks of life were equally partakers of them4 ,hence a degree of information was extended amongst all classes of people4 ,the example was soon followed4 ,libraries were established in various places1 and they are now become very numerous in the ,united ,states1 and particularly in ,pennsylvania4 ,it is to be hoped that they will be still more widely extended1 and that information will be every where increased4 ,this will be the best security for maintaining our liberties4 ,a nation of well informed men1 who have been taught to know and prize the rights which ,god has given them1 cannot be enslaved4 ,it is in the regions of ignorance that tyranny reigns4 ,it flies before the light of science4 ,let the citizens of ,america1 then1 encourage institutions calculated to diffuse knowledge amongst the people2 and amongst these1 public libraries are not the least important4 ,in #agcb1 ,franklin began to publish ,poor ,richard's ,almanack4 ,this was remarkable for the numerous and valuable concise maxims which it contained1 all tending to exhort to industry and frugality4 ,it was continued for many years4 ,in the almanack for the last year1 all the maxims were collected in an address to the reader1 entitled1 ,the ,way to ,wealth4 ,this has been translated into various languages1 and inserted in different publications4 ,it has also been printed on a large sheet1 and may be seen framed in many houses in this city4 ,this address contains1 perhaps1 the best practical system of economy that ever has appeared4 ,it is written in a manner intelligible to every one1 and which cannot fail of convincing every reader of the justice and propriety of the remarks and advice which it contains4 ,the demand for this almanack was so great1 that ten thousand have been sold in one year2 which must be considered as a very large number1 especially when we reflect1 that this country was1 at that time1 but thinly peopled4 ,it cannot be doubted that the salutary maxims contained in these almanacks must have made a favourable impression upon many of the readers of them4 ,it was not long before ,franklin entered upon his political career4 ,in the year #agcf1 he was appointed clerk to the general assembly of ,pennsylvania1 and was re-elected by succeeding assemblies for several years1 until he was chosen a representative for the city of ,philadelphia4 ,bradford1 the printer1 mentioned above1 was possessed of some advantages over ,franklin1 by being post-master1 thereby having an opportunity of circulating his paper more extensively1 and thus rendering it a better vehicle for advertisements1 c4 ,franklin1 in his turn1 enjoyed these advantages1 by being appointed post-master of ,philadelphia in #agcg4 ,bradford1 while in office1 had acted ungenerously towards ,franklin1 preventing as much as possible the circulation of his paper4 ,he had now an opportunity of retaliating2 but his nobleness of soul prevented him from making use of it4 ,the police of ,philadelphia had early appointed watchmen1 whose duty it was to guard the citizens against the midnight robber1 and to give an immediate alarm in case of fire4 ,this duty is1 perhaps1 one of the most important that can be committed to any set of men4 ,the regulations1 however1 were not sufficiently strict4 ,franklin saw the dangers arising from this cause1 and suggested an alteration1 so as to oblige the guardians of the night to be more watchful over the lives and property of the citizens4 ,the propriety of this was immediately perceived1 and a reform was effected4 ,there is nothing more dangerous to growing cities than fires4 ,other causes operate slowly1 and almost imperceptibly2 but these in a moment render abortive the labours of ages4 ,on this account there should be1 in all cities1 ample provisions to prevent fires from spreading4 ,franklin early saw the necessity of these2 and1 about the year #agbh1 formed the first fire company in this city4 ,the example was soon followed by others2 and there are now numerous fire companies in the city and liberties4 ,to these may be attributed in a great degree the activity in extinguishing fires1 for which the citizens of ,philadelphia are distinguished1 and the inconsiderable damage this city has sustained from this cause4 ,some time after1 ,franklin suggested the plan for an association for insuring houses from losses by fire1 which was adopted2 and the association continues to this day4 ,the advantages experienced from it have been great4 ,from the first settlement of ,pennsylvania1 a spirit of dispute appears to have prevailed among its inhabitants4 ,during the life-time of ,william ,penn1 the constitution had been three times altered4 ,after this period the history of ,pennsylvania is little else than a recital of the quarrels between the proprietaries1 or their governors1 and the assembly4 ,the proprietaries contended for the right of exempting their land from taxes2 to which the assembly would by no means consent4 ,this subject of dispute interfered in almost every question1 and prevented the most salutary laws from being enacted4 ,this at times subjected the people to great inconveniences4 ,in the year #aggd1 during a war between ,france and ,great ,britain1 some ,french and ,indians had made inroads upon the frontier inhabitants of the province1 who were unprovided for such an attack4 ,it became necessary that the citizens should arm for their defence4 ,governor ,thomas recommended to the assembly1 who were then sitting1 to pass a militia law4 ,to this they would agree only upon condition1 that he should give his assent to certain laws1 which appeared to them calculated to promote the interests of the people4 ,as he thought these laws would be injurious to the proprietaries1 he refused his assent to them2 and the assembly broke up without passing a militia bill4 ,the situation of the province was at this time truly alarming3 exposed to the continual inroad of an enemy1 and destitute of every means of defence4 ,at this crisis ,franklin stepped forth1 and proposed to a meeting of the citizens of ,philadelphia1 a plan of a voluntary association for the defence of the province4 ,this was approved of1 and signed by twelve hundred persons immediately4 ,copies were circulated without delay through the province2 and in a short time the number of signatures amounted to ten thousand4 ,franklin was chosen colonel of the ,philadelphia regiment2 but he did not think proper to accept of the honour4 ,pursuits of a different nature now occupied the greatest part of his attention for some years4 ,he engaged in a course of electrical experiments1 with all the ardor and thirst for discovery which characterized the philosophers of that day4 ,of all the branches of experimental philosophy1 electricity had been least explored4 ,the attractive power of amber is mentioned by ,theophrastus and ,pliny1 and from them1 by later naturalists4 ,in the year #afjj1 ,gilbert1 an ,english physician1 enlarged considerably the catalogue of substances which have the property of attracting light bodies4 ,boyle1 ,otto ,guericke1 a burgomaster of ,magdeburg1 celebrated as the inventor of the air-pump1 ,dr4 ,wall1 and ,sir ,isaac ,newton added some facts4 ,guericke first observed the repulsive power of electricity1 and the light and noise produced by it4 ,in #agji1 ,hawkesbec communicated some important observations and experiments to the world4 ,for several years electricity was entirely neglected1 until ,mr4 ,grey applied himself to it1 in #agbh1 with great assiduity4 ,he and his friend ,mr4 ,wheeler1 made a great variety of experiments1 in which they demonstrated1 that electricity may be communicated from one body to another1 even without being in contact1 and in this way may be conducted to a great distance4 ,mr4 ,grey afterwards found1 that1 by suspending rods of iron by silk or hair lines1 and bringing an excited tube under them1 sparks might be drawn1 and a light perceived at the extremities in the dark4 ,m4 du ,faye1 intendant of the ,french king's gardens1 made a number of experiments1 which added not a little to the science4 ,he made the discovery of two kinds of electricity1 which he called vitreous and resinous2 the former produced by rubbing glass1 the latter from excited sulphur1 sealing-wax1 c4 ,but this he afterwards gave up as erroneous4 ,between the years #agci and #agdb1 ,desaguliers made a number of experiments1 but added little of importance4 ,he first used the terms conductors and electrics per se4 ,in #agdb1 several ingenious ,germans engaged in this subject1 of these the principal were1 professor ,boze of ,wittemberg1 professor ,winkler of ,leipsic1 ,gordon1 a ,scotch ,benedictine monk1 professor of philosophy at ,erfurt1 and ,dr4 ,ludolf1 of ,berlin4 ,the result of their researches astonished the philosophers of ,europe4 ,their apparatus was large1 and by means of it they were enabled to collect large quantities of the electric fluid1 and thus to produce phenomena which had been hitherto unobserved4 ,they killed small birds1 and set spirits on fire4 ,their experiments excited the curiosity of other philosophers4 ,collinson1 about the year #agde1 sent to the ,library ,company of ,philadelphia1 an account of these experiments1 together with a tube1 and directions how to use it4 ,franklin1 with some of his friends1 immediately engaged in a course of experiments1 the result of which is well known4 ,he was enabled to make a number of important discoveries1 and to propose theories to account for various phenomena1 which have been universally adopted1 and which bid fair to endure for ages4 ,his observations he communicated in a series of letters1 to his friend ,collinson1 the first of which is dated ,march #bh1 #agdg4 ,in these he shews the power of points in drawing and throwing off the electrical matter1 which had hitherto escaped the notice of electricians4 ,he also made the grand discovery of a plus and minus1 or of a positive and negative state of electricity4 ,we give him the honour of this1 without hesitation2 although the ,english have claimed it for their countryman1 ,dr4 ,watson4 ,watson's paper is dated ,january #ba1 #agdh2 ,franklin's ,july #aa1 #agdg3 several months prior4 ,shortly after1 ,franklin1 from his principles of the plus and minus state1 explained1 in a satisfactory manner1 the phenomena of the ,leyden phial1 first observed by ,mr4 ,cuneus1 or by professor ,muschenbroeck1 of ,leyden1 which had much perplexed philosophers4 ,he shewed clearly1 that when charged1 the bottle contained no more electricity than before1 but that as much was taken from one side as was thrown on the other2 and that1 to discharge it1 nothing was necessary but to produce a communication between the two sides1 by which the equilibrium might be restored1 and that then no signs of electricity would remain4 ,he afterwards demonstrated1 by experiments1 that the electricity did not reside in the coating1 as had been supposed1 but in the pores of the glass itself4 ,after a phial was charged1 he removed the coating1 and found that upon applying a new coating1 the shock might still be received4 ,in the year #agdi1 he first suggested his idea of explaining the phenomena of thunder-gusts1 and of the aurora borealis1 upon electrical principles4 ,he points out many particulars in which lightning and electricity agree2 and he adduces many facts1 and reasonings from facts1 in support of his positions4 ,in the same year he conceived the astonishingly bold and grand idea of ascertaining the truth of his doctrine1 by actually drawing down the lightning1 by means of sharp-pointed iron rods1 raised into the region of the clouds4 ,even in this uncertain state1 his passion to be useful to mankind1 displayed itself in a powerful manner4 ,admitting the identity of electricity and lightning1 and knowing the power of points in repelling bodies charged with electricity1 and in conducting their fire silently and imperceptibly1 he suggested the idea of securing houses1 ships1 c4 from being damaged by lightning1 by erecting pointed rods1 that should rise some feet above the most elevated part1 and descend some feet into the ground or the water4 ,the effect of these1 he concluded1 would be either to present a stroke by repelling the cloud beyond the striking distance1 or by drawing off the electrical fire which it contained2 or1 if they could not effect this1 they would at least conduct the electric matter to the earth1 without any injury to the building4 ,it was not until the summer of #ageb1 that he was enabled to complete his grand and unparalleled discovery by experiment4 ,the plan1 which he had originally proposed1 was1 to erect on some high tower1 or other elevated place1 a centry-box1 from which should rise a pointed iron rod1 insulated by being fixed in a cake of resin4 ,electrified clouds passing over this1 would1 he conceived1 impart to it a portion of their electricity1 which would be rendered evident to the senses by sparks being emitted1 when a key1 the knuckle1 or other conductor was presented to it4 ,philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind4 ,while ,franklin was waiting for the erection of a spire1 it occurred to him that he might have more ready access to the region of clouds by means of a common kite4 ,he prepared one by fastening two cross sticks to a silk handkerchief1 which would not suffer so much from the rain as paper4 ,to the upright stick was affixed an iron point4 ,the string was1 as usual1 of hemp1 except the lower end1 which was silk4 ,where the hempen string terminated1 a key was fastened4 ,with this apparatus1 on the appearance of a thunder-gust approaching1 he went out into the commons1 accompanied by his son1 to whom alone he communicated his intentions1 well knowing the ridicule which1 too generally for the interest of science1 awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy4 ,he placed himself under a shade1 to avoid the rain--his kite was raised--a thunder-cloud passed over it--no sign of electricity appeared4 ,he almost despaired of success1 when1 suddenly1 he observed the loose fibres of his string to move towards an erect position4 ,he now presented his knuckle to the key1 and received a strong spark4 ,how exquisite must his sensations have been at this moment6 ,on this experiment depended the fate of his theory4 ,if he succeeded1 his name would rank high among those who had improved science2 if he failed1 he must inevitably be subjected to the derision of mankind1 or1 what is worse1 their pity1 as a well-meaning man1 but a weak1 silly projector4 ,the anxiety with which he looked for the result of his experiment1 may be easily conceived4 ,doubts and despair had begun to prevail1 when the fact was ascertained in so clear a manner1 that even the most incredulous could no longer withhold their assent4--,repeated sparks were drawn from the key1 a phial was charged1 a shock given1 and all the experiments made which are usually performed with electricity4 ,about a month before this period1 some ingenious ,frenchman had completed the discovery in the manner originally proposed by ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,the letters which he sent to ,mr4 ,collinson1 it is said1 were refused a place in the ,transactions of the ,royal ,society of ,london4 ,however this may be1 ,collinson published them in a separate volume1 under the title of ,new ,experiments and ,observations on ,electricity1 made at ,philadelphia1 in ,america4 ,they were read with avidity1 and soon translated into different languages4 ,a very incorrect ,french translation fell into the hands of the celebrated ,buffon1 who1 notwithstanding the disadvantages under which the work laboured1 was much pleased with it1 and repeated the experiments with success4 ,he prevailed on his friend1 ,m4 ,d',alibard1 to give his countrymen a more correct translation of the works of the ,american electrician4 ,this contributed much towards spreading a knowledge of ,franklin's principles in ,france4 ,the king1 ,louis ,,xv41 hearing of these experiments1 expressed a wish to be a spectator of them4 ,a course of experiments was given at the seat of the ,d',ayen1 at ,st4 ,germain1 by ,m4 de ,lor4 ,the applauses which the king bestowed upon ,franklin1 excited in ,buffon1 ,d',alibard1 and ,de ,lor1 an earnest desire of ascertaining the truth of his theory of thunder-gusts4 ,buffon erected his apparatus on the tower of ,montbar1 ,m4 ,d',alibard at ,marly-la-ville1 and ,de ,lor at his house in the ,estrapade at ,paris1 some of the highest ground in that capital4 ,d',alibard's machine first shewed signs of electricity4 ,on the #ajth of ,may1 #ageb1 a thunder cloud passed over it1 in the absence of ,m4 ,d',alibard1 and a number of sparks were drawn from it by ,coiffier1 joiner1 with whom ,d',alibard had left directions how to proceed1 and by ,m4 ,raulet1 the prior of ,marly-la-ville4 ,an account of this experiment was given to the ,royal ,academy of ,sciences1 by ,m4 ,d',alibard1 in a ,memoir dated ,may #acth1 #ageb4 ,on the #ahth of ,may1 ,m4 de ,lor proved equally successful with the apparatus erected at his own house4 ,these philosophers soon excited those of other parts of ,europe to repeat the experiment2 amongst whom1 none signalised themselves more than ,father ,beccaria1 of ,turin1 to whose observations science is much indebted4 ,even the cold regions of ,russia were penetrated by the ardor for discovery4 ,professor ,richman bade fair to add much to the stock of knowledge on this subject1 when an unfortunate flash from his conductor1 put a period to his existence4 ,the friends of science will long remember with regret1 the amiable martyr to electricity4 ,by these experiments ,franklin's theory was established in the most convincing manner4 ,when the truth of it could no longer be doubted1 envy and vanity endeavoured to detract from its merit4 ,that an ,american1 an inhabitant of the obscure city of ,philadelphia1 the name of which was hardly known1 should be able to make discoveries1 and to frame theories1 which had escaped the notice of the enlightened philosophers of ,europe1 was too mortifying to be admitted4 ,he must certainly have taken the idea from some one else4 ,an ,american1 a being of an inferior order1 make discoveries6--,impossible4 ,it was said1 that the ,abb ,nollet1 #agdh1 had suggested the idea of the similarity of lightning and electricity in his ,leons de ,physique4 ,it is true that the ,abb mentions the idea1 but he throws it out as a bare conjecture1 and proposes no mode of ascertaining the truth of it4 ,he himself acknowledges1 that ,franklin first entertained the bold thought of bringing lightning from the heavens1 by means of pointed rods fixed in the air4 ,the similarity of lightning and electricity is so strong1 that we need not be surprised at notice being taken of it1 as soon as electrical phenomena became familiar4 ,we find it mentioned by ,dr4 ,wall and ,mr4 ,grey1 while the science was in its infancy4 ,but the honour of forming a regular theory of thunder-gusts1 of suggesting a mode of determining the truth of it by experiments1 and of putting these experiments in practice1 and thus establishing the theory upon a firm and solid basis1 is incontestibly due to ,franklin4 ,d',alibard1 who made the first experiments in ,france1 says1 that he only followed the tract which ,franklin had pointed out4 ,it has been of late asserted1 that the honour of completing the experiment with the electrical kite1 does not belong to ,franklin4 ,some late ,english paragraphs have attributed it to some ,frenchman1 whose name they do not mention2 and the ,abb ,bertholon gives it to ,m4 de ,romas1 assessor to the presideal of ,nerac2 the ,english paragraphs probably refer to the same person4 ,but a very slight attention will convince us of the injustice of this procedure3 ,dr4 ,franklin's experiment was made in ,june #ageb2 and his letter1 giving an account of it1 is dated ,october #ai1 #ageb4 ,m4 de ,romas made his first attempt on the #adth of ,may1 #agec1 but was not successful until the #gth of ,june2 a year after ,franklin had completed the discovery1 and when it was known to all the philosophers in ,europe4 ,besides these great principles1 ,franklin's letters on electricity contain a number of facts and hints1 which have contributed greatly towards reducing this branch of knowledge to a science4 ,his friend ,mr4 ,kinnersley communicated to him a discovery of the different kinds of electricity1 excited by rubbing glass and sulphur4 ,this1 we have said1 was first observed by ,m4 ,du ,faye2 but it was for many years neglected4 ,the philosophers were disposed to account for the phenomena1 rather from a difference in the quantity of electricity collected1 and even ,du ,faye himself seems at last to have adopted this doctrine4 ,franklin at first entertained the same idea2 but upon repeating the experiments1 he perceived that ,mr4 ,kinnersley was right2 and that the vitreous and resinous electricity of du ,faye were nothing more than the positive1 and negative states which he had before observed2 and that the glass globe charged positively or increased the quantity of electricity on the prime conductor1 while the globe of sulphur diminished its natural quantity1 or charged negatively4 ,these experiments and observations opened a new field for investigation1 upon which electricians entered with avidity2 and their labours have added much to the stock of our knowledge4 ,in ,september1 #ageb1 ,franklin entered upon a course of experiments1 to determine the state of electricity in the clouds4 ,from a number of experiments he formed this conclusion3--,that the clouds of a thunder-gust are most commonly in a negative state of electricity1 but sometimes in a positive state2 and from this it follows1 as a necessary consequence1 that1 for the most part1 in thunder-strokes1 it is the earth that strikes into the clouds1 and not the clouds that strike into the earth4 ,the letter containing these observations is dated in ,september1 #agec2 and yet the discovery of ascending thunder has been said to be of a modern date1 and has been attributed to the ,abb ,bertholon1 who published his memoir on the subject in #aggf4 ,franklin's letters have been translated into most of the ,european languages1 and into ,latin4 ,in proportion as they have become known1 his principles have been adopted4 ,some opposition was made to his theories1 particularly by the ,abb ,nollet1 who was1 however1 but feebly supported1 while the first philosophers in ,europe stepped forth in defence of ,franklin's principles1 amongst whom ,d',alibard and ,beccaria were the most distinguished4 ,the opposition has gradually ceased1 and the ,franklinian system is now universally adopted1 where science flourishes4 ,the important practical use which ,franklin made of his discoveries1 the securing of houses from injury by lightning1 has been already mentioned4 ,pointed conductors are now very common in ,america2 but prejudice has hitherto prevented their general introduction into ,europe1 notwithstanding the most undoubted proofs of their utility have been given4 ,but mankind can with difficulty be brought to lay aside practices1 or to adopt new ones4 ,and perhaps we have more reason1 to be surprised1 that a practice however rational1 which was proposed about forty years ago1 should in that time have been adopted in so many places1 than that it has not universally prevailed4 ,it is only by degrees that the great body of mankind can be led into new practices1 however salutary their tendency4 ,it is now nearly eighty years since inoculation was introduced into ,europe and ,america2 and it is so far from being general at present1 that it will1 require one or two centuries to render it so4 ,in the year #agde1 ,franklin published an account of his new-invented ,pennsylvania fire-places1 in which he minutely and accurately states the advantages of different kinds of fire-places2 and endeavours to show that the one which he describes is to be preferred to any other4 ,this contrivance has given rise to the open stoves now in general use1 which1 however1 differ from it in construction1 particularly in not having an air-box at the back1 through which a constant supply of air1 warmed in its passage1 is thrown into the room4 ,the advantages of this are1 that as a stream of warm air is continually flowing into the room1 less fuel is necessary to preserve a proper temperature1 and the room may be so tightened as that no air may enter through cracks--the consequence of which are colds1 tooth-aches1 c4 ,although philosophy was a principal object of ,franklin's pursuit for several years1 he confined himself not to this4 ,in the year #agdg1 he became a member of the general assembly of ,pennsylvania1 as a burgess for the city of ,philadelphia4 ,warm disputes subsisted at this time between the assembly and the proprietaries2 each contending for what they conceived to be their just rights4 ,franklin1 a friend to the rights of man from his infancy1 soon distinguished himself as a steady opponent of the unjust schemes of the proprietaries4 ,he was soon looked up to as the head of the opposition2 and to him have been attributed many of the spirited replies of the assembly1 to the messages of the governors4 ,his influence in the body was very great4 ,this arose not from any superior powers of eloquence2 he spoke but seldom1 and he never was known to make any thing like an elaborate harangue4 ,his speeches often consisted of a single sentence1 or of a well-told story1 the moral of which was always obviously to the point4 ,he never attempted the flowery fields of oratory4 ,his manner was plain and mild4 ,his style in speaking was1 like that of his writings1 simple1 unadorned1 and remarkably concise4 ,with this plain manner1 and his penetrating and solid judgment1 he was able to confound the most eloquent and subtle of his adversaries1 to confirm the opinions of his friends1 and to make converts of the unprejudiced who had opposed him4 ,with a single observation1 he has rendered of no avail an elegant and lengthy discourse1 and determined the fate of a question of importance4 ,but he was not contented with thus supporting the rights of the people4 ,he wished to render them permanently secure1 which can only be done by making their value properly known2 and this must depend upon increasing and extending information to every class of men4 ,we have already seen that he was the founder of the public library1 which contributed greatly towards improving the minds of the citizens4 ,but this was not sufficient4 ,the schools then subsisting were in general of little utility4 ,the teachers were men ill qualified for the important duty which they had undertaken2 and1 after all1 nothing more could be obtained than the rudiments of a common ,english education4 ,franklin drew up a plan of an academy1 to be erected in the city of ,philadelphia1 suited to the state of an infant country2 but in this1 as in all his plans1 he confined not his views to the present time only4 ,he looked forward to the period when an institution on an enlarged plan would become necessary4 ,with this view1 he considered his academy as a foundation for posterity to erect a seminary of learning more extensive1 and suitable to future circumstances4 ,in pursuance of this plan1 the constitutions were drawn up and signed on the #acth of ,november1 #agdi4 ,in these1 twenty-four of the most respectable citizens of ,philadelphia were named as trustees4 ,in the choice of these1 and in the formation of his plan1 ,franklin is said to have consulted chiefly with ,thomas ,hopkinson1 ,esq2 the ,rev4 ,richard ,peters1 then secretary of the province1 ,tench ,francis1 ,esq4 attorney-general1 and ,dr4 ,phineas ,bond4 ,the following article shews a spirit of benevolence worthy of imitation2 and1 for the honour of our city1 we hope that it continues to be in force4 ,in case of the disability of the rector1 or any master 7established on the foundation by receiving a certain salary7 through sickness1 or any other natural infirmity1 whereby he may be reduced to poverty1 the trustees shall have power to contribute to his support1 in proportion to his distress and merit1 and the stock in their hands4 ,the last clause of the fundamental rules is expressed in language so tender and benevolent1 so truly parental1 that it will do everlasting honour to the hearts and heads of the founders4 ,it is hoped and expected that the trustees will make it their pleasure1 and in some degree their business1 to visit the academy often2 to encourage and countenance the youth1 to countenance and assist the masters1 and1 by all means in their power1 advance the usefulness and reputation of the design2 that they will look on the students as1 in some measure1 their own children1 treat them with familiarity and affection2 and when they have behaved well1 gone through their studies1 and are to enter the world1 they shall zealously unite1 and make all the interest that can be made to promote and establish them1 whether in business1 offices1 marriages1 or any other thing for their advantage1 in preference to all other persons whatsoever1 even of equal merit4 ,the constitutions being signed and made public1 with the names of the gentlemen proposing themselves as trustees and founders1 the design was so well approved of by the public-spirited citizens of ,philadelphia1 that the sum of eight hundred pounds per annum1 for five years1 was in the course of a few weeks subscribed for carrying it into execution2 and in the beginning of ,january following 7viz4 #agej7 three of the schools were opened1 namely1 the ,latin and ,greek schools1 the ,mathematical school1 and the ,english school4 ,in pursuance of an article in the original plan1 a school for educating sixty boys and thirty girls 7in the charter since called the ,charitable ,school7 was opened2 and amidst all the difficulties with which the trustees have struggled in respect to their funds1 has still been continued full for the space of forty years2 so that allowing three years education for each boy and girl admitted into it1 which is the general rule1 at least twelve hundred children have received in it the chief part of their education1 who might otherwise1 in a great measure1 have been left without the means of instruction4 ,and many of those who have been thus educated1 are now to be found among the most useful and reputable citizens of this state4 ,the institution1 thus successfully begun1 continued daily to flourish1 to the great satisfaction of ,dr4 ,franklin2 who1 notwithstanding the multiplicity of his other engagements and pursuits1 at that busy stage of his life1 was a constant attendant at the monthly visitations and examinations of the schools1 and made it his particular study1 by means of his extensive correspondence abroad1 to advance the reputation of the seminary1 and to draw students and scholars to it from different parts of ,america and the ,west ,indies4 ,through the interposition of his benevolent and learned friend1 ,peter ,collinson1 of ,london1 upon the application of the trustees1 a charter of incorporation1 dated ,july #ac1 #agec1 was obtained from the honourable proprietors of ,pennsylvania1 ,thomas ,penn and ,richard ,penn1 ,esqrs4 accompanied with a liberal benefaction of five hundred pounds sterling2 and ,dr4 ,franklin now began in good earnest to please himself with the hopes of a speedy accomplishment of his original design1 viz4 the establishment of a perfect institution1 upon the plan of the ,european colleges and universities2 for which his academy was intended as a nursery or foundation4 ,to elucidate this fact1 is a matter of considerable importance in respect to the memory and character of ,dr4 ,franklin as a philosopher1 and as the friend and patron of learning and science2 for1 notwithstanding what is expressly declared by him in the preamble to the constitutions1 viz4 that the academy was begun for teaching the ,latin and ,greek languages1 with all useful branches of the arts and sciences1 suitable to the state of an infant country1 and laying a foundation for posterity to erect a seminary of learning more extensive1 and suitable to their future circumstances2 yet it has been suggested of late1 as upon ,dr4 ,franklin's authority1 that the ,latin and ,greek1 or the dead languages1 are an incumbrance upon a scheme of liberal education1 and that the engrafting or founding a college1 or more extensive seminary1 upon his academy1 was without his approbation or agency1 and gave him discontent4 ,if the reverse of this does not already appear from what has been quoted above1 the following letters will put the matter beyond dispute4 ,they were written by him to a gentleman1 who had at that time published the idea of a college1 suited to the circumstances of a young country 7meaning ,new-,york7 a copy of which having been sent to ,dr4 ,franklin for his opinion1 gave rise to that correspondence which terminated about a year afterwards1 in erecting the college upon the foundation of the academy1 and establishing that gentleman at the head of both1 where he still continues1 after a period of thirty-six years1 to preside with distinguished reputation4 ,from these letters also1 the state of the academy1 at that time1 will be1 seen4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,as a proof that ,franklin was anciently the common name of an order or rank in ,england1 see ,judge ,fortesque1 ,de laudibus legum ,angli1 written about the year #adab1 in which is the following passage1 to shew that good juries might easily be formed in any part of ,england3 ,regio etiam ilia1 ita respersa refertaque est posessoribus terrarum et agrorum1 quod in ea1 villula tam parva reperiri non poterit1 in qua non est miles1 armiger1 vel pater-familias1 qualis ibidem franklin vulgariter nuncupatur1 magnis ditatus possessionibus1 nec non libere tenentes et alii valecti plurimi1 suis patrimoniis sufficientes1 ad faciendum juratam1 in forma prnotata4 ,moreover1 the same country is so filled and replenished with landed menne1 that therein so small a thorpe cannot be found wherein dwelleth not a knight1 an esquire1 or such a householder as is there commonly called a franklin1 enriched with great possessions2 and also other freeholders and many yeomen1 able for their livelihoods to make a jury in form aforementioned4 ,,old ,,translation4 ,chaucer too1 calls his country gentleman a franklin2 and1 after describing his good housekeeping1 thus characterizes him3 ,this worthy franklin bore a purse of silk ,fix'd to his girdle1 white as morning milk2 ,knight of the shire1 first justice at th' assize1 ,to help the poor1 the doubtful to advise4 ,in all employments1 generous1 just he prov'd1 ,renown'd for courtesy1 by all belov'd4 #b ,town in the island of ,nantucket4 #c ,probably the ,dunciad1 where we find him thus immortalized by the author3 ,silence1 ye wolves1 while ,ralph to ,cynthia howls1 ,and makes night hideous--answer him1 ye owls6 #d ,printing houses in general are thus denominated by the workmen3 the spirit they call by the name of ,ralph4 #e ,a manuscript note in the file of the ,american ,mercury1 preserved in the ,philadelphia library1 says1 that ,franklin wrote the five first numbers1 and part of the eighth4 #f ,dr4 ,stuber was born in ,philadelphia1 of ,german parents4 ,he was sent1 at an early age1 to the university1 where his genius1 diligence and amiable temper1 soon acquired him the particular notice and favour of those under whose immediate direction he was placed4 ,after passing through the common course of study1 in a much shorter time than usual1 he left the university1 at the age of sixteen1 with great reputation4 ,not long after1 he entered on the study of physic2 and the zeal with which he pursued it1 and the advances he made1 gave his friends reason to form the most flattering prospects of his future eminence and usefulness in the profession4 ,as ,dr4 ,stuber's circumstances were very moderate1 he did not think this pursuit well calculated to improve them4 ,he therefore relinquished it1 after he had obtained a degree in the profession1 and qualified himself to practise with credit and success2 and immediately entered on the study of the law4 ,while in pursuit of the last mentioned object1 he was prevented by a premature death from reaping the fruit of those talents with which he was endowed1 and of a youth spent in the ardent and successful pursuit of useful and elegant literature4 ,philad4 ,april #aith1 #agec4 ,,sir1 ,i received your favour of the #aath instant1 with your new#g piece on ,education1 which ,i shall carefully peruse1 and give you my sentiments of it1 as you desire1 by next post4 ,i believe the young gentlemen1 your pupils1 may be entertained and instructed here1 in mathematics and philosophy1 to satisfaction4 ,mr4 ,alison#h 7who was educated at ,glasgow7 has been long accustomed to teach the latter1 and ,mr4 ,grew#i the former2 and ,i think their pupils make great progress4 ,mr4 ,alison has the care of the ,latin and ,greek school1 but as he has now three good assistants1#aj he can very well afford some hours every day for the instruction of those who are engaged in higher studies4 ,the mathematical school is pretty well furnished with instruments4 ,the ,english library is a good one2 and we have belonging to it a middling apparatus for experimental philosophy1 and propose speedily to complete it4 ,the ,loganian library1 one of the best collections in ,america1 will shortly be opened2 so that neither books nor instruments will be wanting2 and as we are determined always to give good salaries1 we have reason to believe we may have always an opportunity of choosing good masters2 upon which indeed1 the success of the whole depends4 ,we are obliged to you for your kind offers in this respect1 and when you are settled in ,england1 we may occasionally make use of your friendship and judgment4-- ,if it suits your conveniency to visit ,philadelphia before you return to ,europe1 ,i shall be extremely glad to see and converse with you here1 as well as to correspond with you after your settlement in ,england2 for an acquaintance and communication with men of learning1 virtue1 and public spirit1 is one of my greatest enjoyments4 ,i do not know whether you ever happened to see the first proposals ,i made for erecting this academy4 ,i send them inclosed4 ,they had 7however imperfect7 the desired success1 being followed by a subscription of four thousand pounds1 towards carrying them into execution4 ,and as we are fond of receiving advice1 and are daily improving by experience1 ,i am in hopes we shall1 in a few years1 see a perfect institution4 ,i am1 very respectfully1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,smith1 ,long-,island4 ,,footnotes3 #g ,a general idea of the college of ,mirania4 #h ,the ,rev4 and learned ,mr4 ,francis ,alison1 afterwards ,d4 ,d4 and vice-provost of the college4 #i ,mr4 ,theophilus ,grew1 afterwards professor of mathematics in the college4 #aj ,those assistants were at that time ,mr4 ,charles ,thomson1 late secretary to congress1 ,mr4 ,paul ,jackson1 and ,mr4 ,jacob ,duche4 ,philad4 ,may #c;d1 #agec4 ,,sir1 ,mr4 ,peters has just now been with me1 and we have compared notes on your new piece4 ,we find nothing in the scheme of education1 however excellent1 but what is1 in our opinion1 very practicable4 ,the great difficulty will be to find the ,aratus#aa1 and other suitable persons1 to carry it into execution2 but such may be had if proper encouragement be given4 ,we have both received great pleasure in the perusal of it4 ,for my part1 ,i know not when ,i have read a piece that has more affected me--so noble and just are the sentiments1 so warm and animated the language2 yet as censure from your friends may be of more use1 as well as more agreeable to you than praise1 ,i ought to mention1 that ,i wish you had omitted not only the quotation from the ,review#ab1 which you are now justly dissatisfied with1 but those expressions of resentment against your adversaries1 in pages #fe and #gi4 ,in such cases1 the noblest victory is obtained by neglect1 and by shining on4 ,mr4 ,allen has been out of town these ten days2 but before he went he directed me to procure him six copies of your piece4 ,mr4 ,peters has taken ten4 ,he proposed to have written to you2 but omits it1 as he expects so soon to have the pleasure of seeing you here4 ,he desires me to present his affectionate compliments to you1 and to assure you that you will be very welcome to him4 ,i shall only say1 that you may depend on my doing all in my power to make your visit to ,philadelphia agreeable to you4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,mr4 ,smith4 ,,footnotes3 #aa ,the name given to the principal or head of the ideal college1 the system of education in which hath nevertheless been nearly realized1 or followed as a model1 in the college and academy of ,philadelphia1 and some other ,american seminaries1 for many years past4 #ab ,the quotation alluded to 7from the ,london ,monthly ,review for #agdi17 was judged to reflect too severely on the discipline and government of the ,english universities of ,oxford and ,cambridge1 and was expunged from the following editions of this work4 ,philad4 ,nov4 #bgth1 #agec4 ,,dear ,,sir1 ,having written you fully1 via ,bristol1 ,i have now little to add4 ,matters relating to the academy remain in statu quo4 ,the trustees would be glad to see a rector established there1 but they dread entering into new engagements till they are got out of debt2 and ,i have not yet got them wholly over to my opinion1 that a good professor1 or teacher of the higher branches of learning1 would draw so many scholars as to pay great part1 if not the whole of his salary4 ,thus1 unless the proprietors 7of the province7 shall think fit to put the finishing hand to our institution1 it must1 ,i fear1 wait some few years longer before it can arrive at that state of perfection1 which to me it seems now capable of2 and all the pleasure ,i promised myself in seeing you settled among us1 vanishes into smoke4 ,but good ,mr4 ,collinson writes me word1 that no endeavours of his shall be wanting2 and he hopes1 with the archbishop's assistance1 to be able to prevail with our proprietors#ac4 ,i pray ,god grant them success4 ,my son presents his affectionate regards1 with1 dear ,sir1 ,your's1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,p4 ,s4 ,i have not been favoured with a line from you since your arrival in ,england4 ,,footnote3 #ac ,upon the application of archbishop ,herring and ,p4 ,collinson1 ,esq4 at ,dr4 ,franklin's request1 7aided by the letters of ,mr4 ,allen and ,mr4 ,peters17 the ,hon4 ,thomas ,penn1 ,esq4 subscribed an annual sum1 and afterwards gave at least #ejjjl4 to the founding or engrafting the college upon the academy4 ,philad4 ,april #ahth1 #aged4 ,,dear ,,sir1 ,i have had but one letter from you since your arrival in ,england1 which was but a short one1 via ,boston1 dated ,october #ahth1 acquainting me that you had written largely by ,captain ,davis4--,davis was lost1 and with him your letters1 to my great disappointment4--,mesnard and ,gibbon have since arrived here1 and ,i hear nothing from you4 ,my comfort is1 an imagination that you only omit writing because you are coming1 and propose to tell me every thing viva voce4 ,so not knowing whether this letter will reach you1 and hoping either to see or hear from you by the ,myrtilla1 ,captain ,budden's ship1 which is daily expected1 ,i only add1 that ,i am1 with great esteem and affection ,your's1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,mr4 ,smith4 ,about a month after the date of this last letter1 the gentleman to whom it was addressed arrived in ,philadelphia1 and was immediately placed at the head of the seminary2 whereby ,dr4 ,franklin and the other trustees were enabled to prosecute their plan1 for perfecting the institution1 and opening the college upon the large and liberal foundation on which it now stands2 for which purpose they obtained their additional charter1 dated ,may #bgth1 #agee4 ,thus far we thought it proper to exhibit in one view ,dr4 ,franklin's services in the foundation and establishment of this seminary4 ,he soon afterwards embarked for ,england1 in the public service of his country2 and having been generally employed abroad1 in the like service1 for the greatest part of the remainder of his life1 7as will appear in our subsequent account of the same7 he had but few opportunities of taking any further active part in the affairs of the seminary1 until his final return in the year #aghe1 when he found its charters violated1 and his ancient colleagues1 the original founders1 deprived of their trust1 by an act of the legislature2 and although his own name had been inserted amongst the new trustees1 yet he declined to take his seat among them1 or any concern in the management of their affairs1 till the institution was restored by law to its original owners4 ,he then assembled his old colleagues at his own house1 and being chosen their president1 all their future meetings were1 at his request1 held there1 till within a few months of his death1 when with reluctance1 and at their desire1 lest he might be too much injured by his attention to their business1 he suffered them to meet at the college4 ,franklin not only gave birth to many useful institutions himself1 but he was also instrumental in promoting those which had originated with other men4 ,about the year #ageb1 an eminent physician of this city1 ,dr4 ,bond1 considering the deplorable state of the poor when visited with disease1 conceived the idea of establishing an hospital4 ,notwithstanding very great exertions on his part1 he was able to interest few people so far in his benevolent plan1 as to obtain subscriptions from them4 ,unwilling that his scheme should prove abortive1 he sought the aid of ,franklin1 who readily engaged in the business1 both by using his influence with his friends1 and by stating the advantageous influence of the proposed institution in his paper4 ,these efforts were attended with success4 ,considerable sums were subscribed2 but they were still short of what was necessary4 ,franklin now made another exertion4 ,he applied to the assembly2 and1 after some opposition1 obtained leave to bring in a bill1 specifying1 that as soon as two thousand pounds were subscribed1 the same sum should be drawn from the treasury by the speaker's warrant1 to be applied to the purposes of the institution4 ,the opposition1 as the sum was granted upon a contingency which they supposed would never take place1 were silent1 and the bill passed4 ,the friends of the plan now redoubled their efforts1 to obtain subscriptions to the amount stated in the bill1 and were soon successful4 ,this was the foundation of the ,pennsylvanian ,hospital1 which1 with the ,bettering-house1 and ,dispensary1 bears ample testimony of the humanity of the citizens of ,philadelphia4 ,dr4 ,franklin had conducted himself so well in the office of post-master1 and had shown himself to be so well acquainted with the business of that department1 that it was thought expedient to raise him to a more dignified station4 ,in #agec he was appointed deputy post-master general for the ,british colonies4 ,the profits arising from the postage of letters formed no inconsiderable part of the revenue1 which the crown of ,great ,britain derived from these colonies4 ,in the hands of ,franklin1 it is said1 that the post-office in ,america1 yielded annually thrice as much as that of ,ireland4 ,the ,american colonies were much exposed to depredations on their frontiers1 by the ,indians2 and more particularly whenever a war took place between ,france and ,england4 ,the colonies1 individually1 were either too weak to take efficient measures for their own defence1 or they were unwilling to take upon themselves the whole burden of erecting forts and maintaining garrisons1 whilst their neighbours1 who partook equally with themselves of the advantages1 contributed nothing to the expence4 ,sometimes also the disputes1 which subsisted between the governors and assemblies1 prevented the adoption of means of defence2 as we have seen was the case in ,pennsylvania in #agde4 ,to devise a plan of union between the colonies1 to regulate this and other matters1 appeared a desirable object4 ,to accomplish this1 in the year #aged1 commissioners from ,new ,hampshire1 ,massachussets1 ,rhode ,island1 ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 and ,maryland1 met at ,albany4 ,dr4 ,franklin attended here1 as a commissioner from ,pennsylvania1 and produced a plan1 which1 from the place of meeting1 has been usually termed1 ,the ,albany plan of ,union4 ,this proposed1 that application should be made for an act of parliament1 to establish in the colonies a general government1 to be administered by a president-general1 appointed by the crown1 and by a grand council1 consisting of members1 chosen by the representatives of the different colonies2 their number to be in direct proportion to the sums paid by each colony into the general treasury1 with this restriction1 that no colony should have more than seven1 nor less than two representatives4 ,the whole executive authority was committed to the president-general4 ,the power of legislation was lodged in the grand council and president-general jointly2 his consent being made necessary to passing a bill into a law4 ,the power vested in the president and council was1 to declare war and peace1 and to conclude treaties with the ,indian nations2 to regulate trade with1 and to make purchases of vacant lands from them1 either in the name of the crown1 or of the union2 to settle new colonies1 to make laws for governing these until they should be erected into separate governments2 and to raise troops1 build forts1 and fit out armed vessels1 and to use other means for the general defence2 and1 to effect these things1 a power was given to make laws1 laying such duties1 imposts1 or taxes1 as they should find necessary1 and as would be least burdensome to the people4 ,all laws were to be sent to ,england for the king's approbation2 and unless disapproved of within three years1 were to remain in force4 ,all officers in the land or sea service were to be nominated by the president-general1 and approved of by the general council2 civil officers were to be nominated by the council1 and approved of by the president4 ,such are the outlines of the plan proposed1 for the consideration of the congress1 by ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,after several days' discussion1 it was unanimously agreed to by the commissioners1 a copy transmitted to each assembly1 and one to the king's council4 ,the fate of it was singular4 ,it was disapproved of by the ministry of ,great ,britain1 because it gave too much power to the representatives of the people2 and it was rejected by every assembly1 as giving to the president-general1 the representative of the crown1 an influence greater than appeared to them proper1 in a plan of government intended for freemen4 ,perhaps this rejection1 on both sides1 is the strongest proof that could be adduced of the excellence of it1 as suited to the situation of ,america and ,great ,britain at that time4 ,it appears to have steered exactly in the middle between the opposite interests of both4 ,whether the adoption of this plan would have prevented the separation of ,america from ,great ,britain1 is a question which might afford much room for speculation4 ,it may be said1 that1 by enabling the colonies to defend themselves1 it would have removed the pretext upon which the stamp-act1 tea-act1 and other acts of the ,british parliament1 were passed2 which excited a spirit of opposition1 and laid the foundation for the separation of the two countries4 ,but1 on the other hand1 it must be admitted1 that the restriction laid by ,great ,britain upon our commerce1 obliging us to sell our produce to her citizens only1 and to take from them various articles1 of which1 as our manufactures were discouraged1 we stood in need1 at a price greater than that for which they could have been obtained from other nations1 must inevitably produce dissatisfaction1 even though no duties were imposed by the parliament2 a circumstance which might still have taken place4 ,besides1 as the president-general was to be appointed by the crown1 he must1 of necessity1 be devoted to its views1 and would1 therefore1 refuse his assent to any laws1 however salutary to the community1 which had the most remote tendency to injure the interests of his sovereign4 ,even should they receive his assent1 the approbation of the king was to be necessary2 who would indubitably1 in every instance1 prefer the advantage of his home dominions to that of his colonies4 ,hence would ensue perpetual disagreements between the council and the president-general1 and thus1 between the people of ,america and the crown of ,great ,britain3--,while the colonies continued weak1 they would be obliged to submit1 and as soon as they acquired strength they would become more urgent in their demands1 until1 at length1 they would shake off the yoke1 and declare themselves independent4 ,whilst the ,french were in possession of ,canada1 their trade with the natives extended very far2 even to the back of the ,british settlements4 ,they were disposed1 from time to time1 to establish posts within the territory1 which the ,english claimed as their own4 ,independent of the injury to the fur trade1 which was considerable1 the colonies suffered this further inconvenience1 that the ,indians were frequently instigated to commit depredations on their frontiers4 ,in the year #agec1 encroachments were made upon the boundaries of ,virginia4 ,remonstrances had no effect4 ,in the ensuing year1 a body of men were sent out under the command of ,mr4 ,washington1 who1 though a very young man1 had1 by his conduct in the preceding year1 shewn himself worthy of such an important trust4 ,whilst marching to take possession of the post at the junction of the ,allegany and ,monongahela1 he was informed that the ,french had already erected a fort there4 ,a detachment of their men marched against him4 ,he fortified himself as strongly as time and circumstances would admit4 ,a superiority of numbers soon obliged him to surrender ,fort ,necessity4 ,he obtained honourable terms for himself and men1 and returned to ,virginia4 ,the government of ,great ,britain now thought it necessary to interfere4 ,in the year #agee1 ,general ,braddock1 with some regiments of regular troops1 and provincial levies1 was sent to dispossess the ,french of the posts upon which they had seized4 ,after the men were all ready1 a difficulty occurred1 which had nearly prevented the expedition4 ,this was the want of waggons4 ,franklin now stepped forward1 and with the assistance of his son1 in a little time procured a hundred and fifty4 ,braddock unfortunately fell into an ambuscade1 and perished1 with a number of his men4 ,washington1 who had accompanied him as an aid-de-camp1 and had warned him1 in vain1 of his danger1 now displayed great military talents in effecting a retreat of the remains of the army1 and in forming a junction with the rear1 under colonel ,dunbar1 upon whom the chief command now devolved4 ,with some difficulty they brought their little body to a place of safety2 but they found it necessary to destroy their waggons and baggage1 to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy4 ,for the waggons which he had furnished1 ,franklin had given bonds to a large amount4 ,the owners declared their intention of obliging him to make a restitution of their property4 ,had they put their threats in execution1 ruin must inevitably have been the consequence4 ,governor ,shirley1 finding that he had incurred these debts for the service of government1 made arrangements to have them discharged1 and released ,franklin from his disagreeable situation4 ,the alarm spread through the colonies1 after the defeat of ,braddock1 was very great4 ,preparations to arm were every where made4 ,in ,pennsylvania1 the prevalence of the ,quaker interest prevented the adoption of any system of defence1 which would compel the citizens to bear arms4 ,franklin introduced into the assembly a bill for organizing a militia1 by which every man was allowed to take arms or not1 as to him should appear fit4 ,the ,quakers1 being thus left at liberty1 suffered the bill to pass2 for although their principles would not suffer them to fight1 they had no objection to their neighbours fighting for them4 ,in consequence of this act a very respectable militia was formed4 ,the sense of impending danger infused a military spirit in all1 whose religious tenets were not opposed to war4 ,franklin was appointed colonel of a regiment in ,philadelphia1 which consisted of #abjj men4 ,the north-western frontier being invaded by the enemy1 it became necessary to adopt measures for its defence4 ,franklin was directed by the governor to take charge of this4 ,a power of raising men1 and of appointing officers to command them1 was vested in him4 ,he soon levied a body of troops1 with which he repaired to the place at which their presence was necessary4 ,here he built a fort1 and placed a garrison in such a posture of defence1 as would enable them to withstand the inroads1 to which the inhabitants had previously been exposed4 ,he remained here for some time1 in order the more completely to discharge the trust committed to him4 ,some business of importance at length rendered his presence necessary in the assembly1 and he returned to ,philadelphia4 ,the defence of her colonies was a great expence to ,great ,britain4 ,the most effectual mode of lessening this was1 to put arms into the hands of the inhabitants1 and to teach them their use4 ,but ,england wished not that the ,americans should become acquainted with their own strength4 ,she was apprehensive1 that1 as soon as this period arrived1 they would no longer submit to that monopoly of their trade1 which to them was highly injurious1 but extremely advantageous to the mother-country4 ,in comparison with the profits of this1 the expence of maintaining armies and fleets to defend them was trifling4 ,she fought to keep them dependent upon her for protection2 the best plan which could be devised for retaining them in peaceable subjection4 ,the least appearance of a military spirit was therefore to be guarded against1 and1 although a war then raged1 the act for organizing a militia was disapproved of by the ministry4 ,the regiments which had been formed under it were disbanded1 and the defence of the province entrusted to regular troops4 ,the disputes between the proprietaries and the people continued in full force1 although a war was raging on the frontiers4 ,not even the sense of danger was sufficient to reconcile1 for ever so short a time1 their jarring interests4 ,the assembly still insisted upon the justice of taxing the proprietary estates1 but the governors constantly refused their assent to this measure1 without which no bill could pass into a law4 ,enraged at the obstinacy1 and what they conceived to be unjust proceedings of their opponents1 the assembly at length determined to apply to the mother-country for relief4 ,a petition was addressed to the king1 in council1 stating the inconveniencies under which the inhabitants laboured1 from the attention of the proprietaries to their private interests1 to the neglect of the general welfare of the community1 and praying for redress4 ,franklin was appointed to present this address1 as agent for the province of ,pennsylvania1 and departed from ,america in ,june1 #ageg4 ,in conformity to the instructions which he had received from the legislature1 he held a conference with the proprietaries who then resided in ,england1 and endeavoured to prevail upon them to give up the long contested point4 ,finding that they would harken to no terms of accommodation1 he laid his petition before the ,council4 ,during this time governor ,denny assented to a law imposing a tax1 in which no discrimination was made in favour of the estates of the ,penn family4 ,they1 alarmed at this intelligence1 and ,franklin's exertions1 used their utmost endeavours to prevent the royal sanction being given to this law1 which they represented as highly iniquitous1 designed to throw the burden of supporting government upon them1 and calculated to produce the most ruinous consequences to them and their posterity4 ,the cause was amply discussed before the privy ,council4 ,the ,penns found here some strenuous advocates2 nor were there wanting some who warmly espoused the side of the people4 ,after some time spent in debate1 a proposal was made1 that ,franklin should solemnly engage1 that the assessment of the tax should be so made1 as that the proprietary estates should pay no more than a due proportion4 ,this he agreed to perform2 the ,penn family withdrew their opposition1 and tranquillity was thus once more restored to the province4 ,the mode in which this dispute was terminated is a striking proof of the high opinion entertained of ,franklin's integrity and honour1 even by those who considered him as inimical to their views4 ,nor was their confidence ill-founded4 ,the assessment was made upon the strictest principles of equity2 and the proprietary estates bore only a proportionable share of the expences of supporting government4 ,after the completion of this important business1 ,franklin remained at the court of ,great ,britain1 as agent for the province of ,pennsylvania4 ,the extensive knowledge which he possessed of the situation of the colonies1 and the regard which he always manifested for their interests1 occasioned his appointment to the same office by the colonies of ,massachussets1 ,maryland1 and ,georgia4 ,his conduct1 in this situation1 was such as rendered him still more dear to his countrymen4 ,he had now an opportunity of indulging in the society of those friends1 whom his merits had procured him while at a distance4 ,the regard which they had entertained for him was rather increased by a personal acquaintance4 ,the opposition which had been made to his discoveries in philosophy gradually ceased1 and the rewards of literary merit were abundantly conferred upon him4 ,the ,royal ,society of ,london1 which had at first refused his performances admission into its transactions1 now thought it an honour to rank him amongst its fellows4 ,other societies of ,europe were equally ambitious of calling him a member4 ,the university of ,st4 ,andrew's1 in ,scotland1 conferred upon him the degree of ,doctor of ,laws4 ,its example was followed by the universities of ,edinburgh and ,oxford4 ,his correspondence was sought for by the most eminent philosophers of ,europe4 ,his letters to these abound with true science1 delivered in the most simple unadorned manner4 ,the province of ,canada was at this time in the possession of the ,french1 who had originally settled it4 ,the trade with the ,indians1 for which its situation was very convenient1 was exceedingly lucrative4 ,the ,french traders here found a market for their commodities1 and received in return large quantities of rich furs1 which they disposed of at a high price in ,europe4 ,whilst the possession of this country was highly advantageous to ,france1 it was a grievous inconvenience to the inhabitants of the ,british colonies4 ,the ,indians were almost generally desirous to cultivate the friendship of the ,french1 by whom they were abundantly supplied with arms and ammunition4 ,whenever a war happened1 the ,indians were ready to fall upon the frontiers3 and this they frequently did1 even when ,great ,britain and ,france were at peace4 ,from these considerations1 it appeared to be the interest of ,great ,britain to gain the possession of ,canada4 ,but the importance of such an acquisition was not well understood in ,england4 ,franklin about this time published his ,canada pamphlet1 in which he1 in a forcible manner1 pointed out the advantages which would result from the conquest of this province4 ,an expedition against it was planned1 and the command given to ,general ,wolfe4 ,his success is well known4 ,at the treaty in #agfb1 ,france ceded ,canada to ,great ,britain1 and by her cession of ,louisiana1 at the same time1 relinquished all her possessions on the continent of ,america4 ,although ,dr4 ,franklin was now principally occupied with political pursuits1 he found time for philosophical studies4 ,he extended his researches in electricity1 and made a variety of experiments1 particularly on the tourmalin4 ,the singular properties which this stone possesses of being electrified on one side positively and on the other negatively1 by heat alone1 without friction1 had been but lately observed4 ,some experiments on the cold produced by evaporation1 made by ,dr4 ,cullen1 had been communicated to ,dr4 ,franklin1 by ,professor ,simpson1 of ,glasgow4 ,these he repeated1 and found1 that1 by the evaporation of ther in the exhausted receiver of an air-pump1 so great a degree of cold was produced in a summer's day1 that water was converted into ice4 ,this discovery he applied to the solution of a number of phenomena1 particularly a singular fact1 which philosophers had endeavoured in vain to account for1 viz4 that the temperature of the human body1 when in health1 never exceeds #if degrees of ,fahrenheit's thermometer1 though the atmosphere which surrounds it may be heated to a much greater degree4 ,this he attributed to the increased perspiration1 and consequent evaporation1 produced by the heat4 ,in a letter to ,mr4 ,small1 of ,london1 dated in ,may1 #agfj1 ,dr4 ,franklin makes a number of observations1 tending to show that1 in ,north ,america1 north-east storms begin in the south-west parts4 ,it appears1 from actual observations1 that a north-east storm1 which extended a considerable distance1 commenced at ,philadelphia near four hours before it was felt at ,boston4 ,he endeavoured to account for this1 by supposing that1 from heat1 some rarefaction takes place about the gulph of ,mexico1 that the air further north rushes in1 and is succeeded by the cooler and denser air still farther north1 and that thus a continual current is at length produced4 ,the tone produced by rubbing the brim of a drinking-glass with a wet finger1 had been generally known4 ,a ,mr4 ,puckeridge1 an ,irishman1 by placing on a table a number of glasses of different sizes1 and tuning them by partly filling them with water1 endeavoured to form an instrument capable of playing tunes4 ,he was prevented by an untimely end1 from bringing his invention to any degree of perfection4 ,after his death some improvements were made upon his plan4 ,the sweetness of the tones induced ,dr4 ,franklin to make a variety of experiments2 and he at length formed that elegant instrument which he has called the ,armonica4 ,in the summer of #agfb1 he returned to ,america4 ,on his passage he observed the singular effect produced by the agitation of a vessel1 containing oil1 floating on water4 ,the surface of the oil remains smooth and undisturbed1 whilst the water is agitated with the utmost commotion4 ,no satisfactory explanation of this appearance has1 we believe1 ever been given4 ,dr4 ,franklin received the thanks of the assembly of ,pennsylvania1 as well for the faithful discharge of his duty to that province in particular1 as for the many and important services done to ,america in general1 during his residence in ,great ,britain4 ,a compensation of #ejjjl41 ,pennsylvania currency1 was also decreed him for his services during six years4 ,during his absence he had been annually elected member of the assembly4 ,on his return to ,pennsylvania he again took his seat in this body1 and continued a steady defender of the liberties of the people4 ,in ,december #agfb1 a circumstance which caused great alarm in the province took place4 ,a number of ,indians had resided in the county of ,lancaster1 and conducted themselves uniformly as friends to the white inhabitants4 ,repeated depredations on the frontiers had exasperated the inhabitants to such a degree1 that they determined on revenge upon every ,indian4 ,a number of persons1 to the number of about #abj1 principally inhabitants of ,donegal and ,peckstang or ,paxton township1 in the county of ,york1 assembled2 and1 mounted on horseback1 proceeded to the settlement of these harmless and defenceless ,indians1 whose number had now been reduced to about twenty4 ,the ,indians had received intelligence of the attack which was intended against them1 but disbelieved it4 ,considering the white people as their friends1 they apprehended no danger from them4 ,when the party arrived at the ,indian settlement1 they found only some women and children1 and a few old men1 the rest being absent at work4 ,they murdered all whom they found1 and amongst others the chief ,shaheas1 who had been always distinguished for his friendship to the whites4 ,this bloody deed excited much indignation in the well-disposed part of the community4 ,the remainder of these unfortunate ,indians1 who by absence1 had escaped the massacre1 were conducted to ,lancaster1 and lodged in the gaol as a place of security4 ,the governor issued a proclamation expressing the strongest disapprobation of the action1 offering a reward for the discovery of the perpetrators of the deed1 and prohibiting all injuries to the peaceable ,indians in future4 ,but1 notwithstanding this1 a party of the same men shortly after marched to ,lancaster1 broke open the gaol1 and inhumanly butchered the innocent ,indians1 who had been placed there for security4 ,another proclamation was issued1 but it had no effect4 ,a detachment marched down to ,philadelphia1 for the express purpose of murdering some friendly ,indians1 who had been removed to the city for safety4 ,a number of the citizens armed in their defence4 ,the quakers1 whose principles are opposed to fighting1 even in their own defence1 were most active upon this occasion4 ,the rioters came to ,germantown4 ,the governor fled for safety to the house of ,dr4 ,franklin1 who1 with some others1 advanced to meet the ,paxton boys1 as they were called1 and had influence enough to prevail upon them to relinquish their undertaking1 and return to their homes4 ,the disputes between the proprietaries and the assembly1 which1 for a time1 had subsided1 were again revived4 ,the proprietaries were dissatisfied with the concessions made in favour of the people1 and made great struggles to recover the privilege of exempting their estates from taxation1 which they had been induced to give up4 ,in #agfc1 the assembly passed a militia-bill1 to which the governor refused to give his assent1 unless the assembly would agree to certain amendments which he proposed4 ,these consisted in increasing the fines1 and in some cases1 substituting death for fines4 ,he wished too1 that the officers should be appointed altogether by himself1 and not be nominated by the people1 as the bill had proposed4 ,these amendments the assembly considered as inconsistent with the spirit of liberty4 ,they would not adopt them--the governor was obstinate1 and the bill was lost4 ,these1 and various other circumstances1 encreased the uneasiness which subsisted between the proprietaries and the assembly1 to such a degree1 that1 in #agfd1 a petition to the king was agreed to by the house1 praying an alteration from a proprietary to a regal government4 ,great opposition was made to this measure1 not only in the house1 but in the public prints4 ,a speech of ,mr4 ,dickenson on the subject was published1 with a preface by ,dr4 ,smith1 in which great pains were taken to show the impropriety and impolicy of this proceeding4 ,a speech of ,mr4 ,galloway1 in reply to ,mr4 ,dickenson1 was published1 accompanied with a preface by ,dr4 ,franklin1 in which he ably opposed the principles laid down in the preface to ,mr4 ,dickenson's speech4 ,this application to the throne produced no effect4 ,the proprietary government was still continued4 ,at the election of a new assembly1 in the fall of #agfd1 the friends of the proprietaries made great exertions to exclude those of the adverse party2 and they obtained a small majority in the city of ,philadelphia4 ,franklin now lost his seat in the house1 which he had held for fourteen years4 ,on the meeting of the assembly1 it appeared there was still a decided majority of ,franklin's friends4 ,he was immediately appointed provincial agent1 to the great chagrin of his enemies1 who made a solemn protest against his appointment1 which was refused admission upon the minutes1 as being unprecedented4 ,it was1 however1 published in the papers1 and produced a spirited reply from him1 just before his departure for ,england4 ,the disturbances produced in ,america by ,mr4 ,grenville's stamp-act1 and the opposition made to it1 are well known4 ,under the marquis of ,rockingham's administration1 it appeared expedient to endeavour to calm the minds of the colonists2 and the repeal of the odious tax was contemplated4 ,amongst other means of collecting information on the disposition of the people to submit to it1 ,dr4 ,franklin was called to the bar of the house of commons4 ,the examination which he underwent was published1 and contains a striking account of the extent and accuracy of his information1 and the facility with which he communicated his sentiments4 ,he represented facts in so strong a point of view1 that the inexpediency of the act must have appeared clear to every unprejudiced mind4 ,the act1 after some opposition1 was repealed1 about a year after it was enacted1 and before it had ever been carried into execution4 ,in the year #agff1 he made a visit to ,holland and ,germany1 and received the greatest marks of attention from men of science4 ,in his passage through ,holland he learned from the watermen the effect which a diminution of the quantity of water in canals has1 in impeding the progress of boats4 ,upon his return to ,england1 he was led to make a number of experiments1 all of which tended to confirm the observation4 ,these1 with an explanation of the phenomenon1 he communicated in a letter to his friend1 ,sir ,john ,pringle1 which will be found among his philosophical pieces4 ,in the following year he travelled into ,france1 where he met a no less favorable reception than he had experienced in ,germany4 ,he was introduced to a number of literary characters1 and to the king1 ,louis ,,xv4 ,several letters written by ,hutchinson1 ,oliver1 and others1 to persons in eminent stations in ,great ,britain1 came into the hands of ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,these contained the most violent invectives against the leading characters of the state of ,massachussets1 and strenuously advised the prosecution of vigorous measures1 to compel the people to obedience to the measures of the ministry4 ,these he transmitted to the legislature1 by whom they were published4 ,attested copies of them were sent to ,great ,britain1 with an address1 praying the king to discharge from office persons who had rendered themselves so obnoxious to the people1 and who had shown themselves so unfriendly to their interests4 ,the publication of these letters produced a duel between ,mr4 ,whately and ,mr4 ,temple1 each of whom was suspected of having been instrumental in procuring them4 ,to prevent any farther disputes on this subject1 ,dr4 ,franklin1 in one of the public papers1 declared that he had sent them to ,america1 but would give no information concerning the manner in which he had obtained them--nor was this ever discovered4 ,shortly after1 the petition of the ,massachussets assembly was taken up for examination1 before the privy council4 ,dr4 ,franklin attended1 as agent for the assembly2 and here a torrent of the most violent and unwarranted abuse was poured upon him by the solicitor-general1 ,wedderburne1 who was engaged as council for ,oliver and ,hutchinson4 ,the petition was declared to be scandalous and vexatious1 and the prayer of it refused4 ,although the parliament of ,great ,britain had repealed the stamp-act1 it was only upon the principle of expediency4 ,they still insisted upon their right to tax the colonies2 and1 at the same time that the stamp-act was repealed1 an act was passed1 declaring the right of parliament to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever4 ,this language was used even by the most strenuous opposers of the stamp-act3 and1 amongst others1 by ,mr4 ,pitt4 ,this right was never recognized by the colonists2 but1 as they flattered themselves that it would not be exercised1 they were not very active in remonstrating against it4 ,had this pretended right been suffered to remain dormant1 the colonists would cheerfully have furnished their quota of supplies1 in the mode to which they had been accustomed2 that is1 by acts of their own assemblies1 in consequence of requisitions from the secretary of state4 ,if this practice had been pursued1 such was the disposition of the colonies towards their mother-country1 that1 notwithstanding the disadvantages under which they laboured1 from restraints upon their trade1 calculated solely for the benefit of the commercial and manufacturing interests of ,great ,britain1 a separation of the two countries might have been a far distant event4 ,the ,americans1 from their earliest infancy1 were taught to venerate a people from whom they were descended2 whose language1 laws1 and manners1 were the same as their own4 ,they looked up to them as models of perfection2 and1 in their prejudiced minds1 the most enlightened nations of ,europe were considered as almost barbarians1 in comparison with ,englishmen4 ,the name of an ,englishman conveyed to an ,american the idea of every thing good and great4 ,such sentiments instilled into them in early life1 what but a repetition of unjust treatment could have induced them to entertain the most distant thought of separation6 ,the duties on glass1 paper1 leather1 painters' colours1 tea1 c4 the disfranchisement of some of the colonies2 the obstruction to the measures of the legislature in others1 by the king's governors2 the contemptuous treatment of their humble remonstrances1 stating their grievances1 and praying a redress of them1 and other violent and oppressive measures1 at length excited an ardent spirit of opposition4 ,instead of endeavouring to allay this by a more lenient conduct1 the ministry seemed resolutely bent upon reducing the colonies to the most slavish obedience to their decrees4 ,but this only tended to aggravate4 ,vain were all the efforts made use of to prevail upon them to lay aside their designs1 to convince them of the impossibility of carrying them into effect1 and of the mischievous consequences which must ensue from a continuance of the attempts4 ,they persevered1 with a degree of inflexibility scarcely paralleled4 ,the advantages which ,great ,britain derived from her colonies were so great1 that nothing but a degree of infatuation1 little short of madness1 could have produced a continuance of measures calculated to keep up a spirit of uneasiness1 which might occasion the slightest wish for a separation4 ,when we consider the great improvements in the science of government1 the general diffusion of the principles of liberty amongst the people of ,europe1 the effects which these have already produced in ,france1 and the probable consequences which will result from them elsewhere1 all of which are the offspring of the ,american revolution1 it cannot but appear strange1 that events of so great moment to the happiness of mankind1 should have been ultimately occasioned by the wickedness or ignorance of a ,british ministry4 ,dr4 ,franklin left nothing untried to prevail upon the ministry to consent to a change of measures4 ,in private conversations1 and in letters to persons in government1 he continually expatiated upon the impolicy and injustice of their conduct towards ,america2 and stated1 that1 notwithstanding the attachment of the colonists to the mother-country1 a repetition of ill treatment must ultimately alienate their affections4 ,they listened not to his advice4 ,they blindly persevered in their own schemes1 and left to the colonists no alternative1 but opposition1 or unconditional submission4 ,the latter accorded not with the principles of freedom1 which they had been taught to revere4 ,to the former they were compelled1 though reluctantly1 to have recourse4 ,dr4 ,franklin1 finding all efforts to restore harmony between ,great ,britain and her colonies useless1 returned to ,america in the year #agge2 just after the commencement of hostilities4 ,the day after his return he was elected by the legislature of ,pennsylvania a delegate to congress4 ,not long after his election a committee was appointed1 consisting of ,mr4 ,lynch1 ,mr4 ,harrison1 and himself1 to visit the camp at ,cambridge1 and1 in conjunction with the commander in chief1 to endeavour to convince the troops1 whose term of enlistment was about to expire1 of the necessity of their continuing in the field1 and persevering in the cause of their country4 ,in the fall of the same year he visited ,canada1 to endeavour to unite them in the common cause of liberty2 but they could not be prevailed upon to oppose the measures of the ,british government4 ,m4 ,le ,roy1 in a letter annexed to ,abb ,fauchet's eulogium of ,dr4 ,franklin1 states1 that the ill success of this negociation was occasioned1 in a great degree1 by religious animosities1 which subsisted between the ,canadians and their neighbours1 some of whom had at different times burnt their chapels4 ,when ,lord ,howe came to ,america1 in #aggf1 vested with power to treat with the colonists1 a correspondence took place between him and ,dr4 ,franklin1 on the subject of a reconciliation4 ,dr4 ,franklin was afterwards appointed1 together with ,john ,adams1 and ,edward ,rutledge1 to wait upon the commissioners1 in order to learn the extent of their powers4 ,these were found to be only to grant pardons upon submission4 ,such terms which could not be accepted2 and the object of the commissioners was not obtained4 ,the momentous question of independence was shortly after brought into view1 at a time when the fleets and armies1 which were sent to enforce obedience1 were truly formidable4 ,with an army1 numerous indeed1 but ignorant of discipline1 and entirely unskilled in the art of war1 without money1 without a fleet1 without allies1 and with nothing but the love of liberty to support them1 the colonists determined to separate from a country1 from which they had experienced a repetition of injury and insult4 ,in this question1 ,dr4 ,franklin was decidedly in favour of the measure proposed1 and had great influence in bringing others to his sentiments4 ,the public mind had been prepared for this event1 by ,mr4 ,paine's celebrated pamphlet1 ,common ,sense4 ,there is good reason to believe that ,dr4 ,franklin had no inconsiderable share1 at least1 in furnishing materials for this work4 ,in the convention which assembled at ,philadelphia in #aggf1 for the purpose of establishing a new form of government for the state of ,pennsylvania1 ,dr4 ,franklin was chosen president4 ,the late constitution of this state1 which was the result of their deliberations1 may be considered as a digest of his principles of government4 ,the single legislature1 and the plural executive1 seem to have been his favourite tenets4 ,in the latter end of #aggf1 ,dr4 ,franklin was appointed to assist in the negociation which had been set on foot by ,silas ,deane at the court of ,france4 ,a conviction of the advantages of a commercial intercourse with ,america1 and a desire of weakening the ,british empire by dismembering it1 first induced the ,french court to listen to proposals of an alliance4 ,but they shewed rather a reluctance to the measure1 which1 by ,dr4 ,franklin's address1 and particularly by the success of the ,american arms against general ,burgoyne1 was at length overcome2 and in ,february1 #aggh1 a treaty of alliance1 offensive and defensive1 was concluded2 in consequence of which ,france became involved in the war with ,great ,britain4 ,perhaps no person could have been found more capable of rendering essential services to the ,united ,states at the court of ,france1 than ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,he was well known as a philosopher1 and his character was held in the highest estimation4 ,he was received with the greatest marks of respect by all the literary characters2 and this respect was extended amongst all classes of men4 ,his personal influence was hence very considerable4 ,to the effects of this were added those of various performances which he published1 tending to establish the credit and character of the ,united ,states4 ,to his exertions in this way1 may1 in no small degree1 be ascribed the success of the loans negociated in ,holland and ,france1 which greatly contributed to bring the war to a conclusion4 ,the repeated ill success of their arms1 and more particularly the capture of ,cornwallis and his army1 at length convinced the ,british nation of the impossibility of reducing the ,americans to subjection4 ,the trading interest particularly became clamorous for peace4 ,the ministry were unable longer to oppose their wishes4 ,provisional articles of peace were agreed to1 and signed at ,paris on the #cjth of ,november1 #aghb1 by ,dr4 ,franklin1 ,mr4 ,adams1 ,mr4 ,jay1 and ,mr4 ,laurens1 on the part of the ,united ,states2 and by ,mr4 ,oswald on the part of ,great ,britain4 ,these formed the basis of the definitive treaty1 which was concluded the #c;d of ,september1 #aghc1 and signed by ,dr4 ,franklin1 ,mr4 ,adams1 and ,mr4 ,jay1 on the one part1 and by ,mr4 ,david ,hartly on the other4 ,on the third of ,april1 #aghc1 a treaty of amity and commerce1 between the ,united ,states and ,sweden1 was concluded at ,paris1 by ,dr4 ,franklin and the ,count ,von ,krutz4 ,a similar treaty with ,prussia was concluded in #aghe1 not long before ,dr4 ,franklin's departure from ,europe4 ,dr4 ,franklin did not suffer his political pursuits to engross his whole attention4 ,some of his performances made their appearance in ,paris4 ,the object of these was generally the promotion of industry and economy4 ,in the year #aghd1 when animal magnetism made great noise in the world1 particularly at ,paris1 it was thought a matter of such importance1 that the king appointed commissioners to examine into the foundation of this pretended science4 ,dr4 ,franklin was one of the number4 ,after a fair and diligent examination1 in the course of which ,mesmer repeated a number of experiments1 in the presence of the commissioners1 some of which were tried upon themselves1 they determined that it was a mere trick1 intended to impose upon the ignorant and credulous--,mesmer was thus interrupted in his career to wealth and fame1 and a most insolent attempt to impose upon the human understanding baffled4 ,the important ends of ,dr4 ,franklin's mission being completed by the establishment of ,american independence1 and the infirmities of age and disease coming upon him1 he became desirous of returning to his native country4 ,upon application to congress to be recalled1 ,mr4 ,jefferson was appointed to succeed him in #aghe4 ,some time in ,september of the same year ,dr4 ,franklin arrived in ,philadelphia4 ,he was shortly after chosen member of the supreme executive council for the city2 and soon after was elected president of the same4 ,when a convention was called to meet in ,philadelphia1 in #aghg1 for the purpose of giving more energy to the government of the union1 by revising and amending the articles of confederation1 ,dr4 ,franklin was appointed a delegate from the ,state of ,pennsylvania4 ,he signed the constitution which they proposed for the union1 and gave it the most unequivocal marks of his approbation4 ,a society for political enquiries1 of which ,dr4 ,franklin was president1 was established about this period4 ,the meetings were held at his house4 ,two or three essays read in this society were published4 ,it did not long continue4 ,in the year #aghg1 two societies were established in ,philadelphia1 founded on the principles of the most liberal and refined humanity--,the ,philadelphia ,society for alleviating the miseries of public prisons2 and the ,pennsylvania ,society for promoting the abolition of slavery1 the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage1 and the improvement of the condition of the ,african race4 ,of each of these ,dr4 ,franklin was president4 ,the labours of these bodies have been crowned with great success2 and they continue to prosecute1 with unwearied diligence1 the laudable designs for which they were established4 ,dr4 ,franklin's increasing infirmities prevented his regular attendance at the council-chamber2 and1 in #aghh1 he retired wholly from public life4 ,his constitution had been a remarkably good one4 ,he had been little subject to disease1 except an attack of the gout occasionally1 until about the year #agha1 when he was first attacked with symptoms of the calculous complaint1 which continued during his life4 ,during the intervals of pain from this grievous disease1 he spent many cheerful hours1 conversing in the most agreeable and instructive manner4 ,his faculties were entirely unimpaired1 even to the hour of his death4 ,his name1 as president of the abolition society1 was signed to the memorial presented to the house of representatives of the ,united ,states1 on the #abth of ,february1 #aghi1 praying them to exert the full extent of power vested in them by the constitution1 in discouraging the traffic of the human species4 ,this was his last public act4 ,in the debates to which this memorial gave rise1 several attempts were made to justify the trade4 ,in the ,federal ,gazette of ,march #beth1 there appeared an essay1 signed ,historicus1 written by ,dr4 ,franklin1 in which he communicated a speech1 said to have been delivered in the ,divan of ,algiers1 in #afhg1 in opposition to the prayer of the petition of a sect called ,erika1 or purists1 for the abolition of piracy and slavery4 ,this pretended ,african speech was an excellent parody of one delivered by ,mr4 ,jackson1 of ,georgia4 ,all the arguments urged in favour of negro slavery1 are applied with equal force to justify the plundering and enslaving of ,europeans4 ,it affords1 at the same time1 a demonstration of the futility of the arguments in defence of the slave trade1 and of the strength of mind and ingenuity of the author1 at his advanced period of life4 ,it furnished too1 a no less convincing proof of his power of imitating the style of other times and nations1 than his celebrated parable against persecution4 ,and as the latter led many persons to search the scriptures with a view to find1 it1 so the former caused many persons to search the book-stores and libraries1 for the work from which it was said to be extracted4 ,in the beginning of ,april following1 he was attacked with a fever and complaint of his breast1 which terminated his existence4 ,the following account of his last illness was written by his friend and physician1 ,dr4 ,jones4 ,the stone1 with which he had been afflicted for several years1 had for the last twelve months confined him chiefly to his bed2 and during the extremely painful paroxysms1 he was obliged to take large doses of laudanum to mitigate his tortures--still1 in the intervals of pain1 he not only amused himself with reading and conversing cheerfully with his family1 and a few friends who visited him1 but was often employed in doing business of a public as well as private nature1 with various persons who waited on him for that purpose2 and in every instance displayed1 not only that readiness and disposition of doing good1 which was the distinguishing characteristic of his life1 but the fullest and clearest possession of his uncommon mental abilities2 and not unfrequently indulged himself in those jeux d'esprit and entertaining anecdotes1 which were the delight of all who heard him4 ,about sixteen days before his death1 he was seized with a feverish indisposition1 without any particular symptoms attending it1 till the third or fourth day1 when he complained of a pain in the left breast1 which increased till it became extremely acute1 attended with a cough and laborious breathing4 ,during this state1 when the severity of his pains sometimes drew forth a groan of complaint1 he would observe--that he was afraid he did not hear it as he ought--acknowledged his grateful sense of the many blessings he had received from the ,supreme ,being1 who had raised him from small and low beginnings to such high rank and consideration among men--and made no doubt but his present afflictions were kindly intended to wean him from a world1 in which he was no longer fit to act the part assigned him4 ,in this frame of body and mind he continued till five days before his death1 when his pain and difficulty of breathing entirely left him1 and his family were flattering themselves with the hopes of his recovery1 when an imposthumation1 which had formed itself in his lungs1 suddenly burst and discharged a great quantity of matter1 which he continued to throw up while he had sufficient strength to do it1 but1 as that failed1 the organs of respiration became gradually oppressed--a calm lethargic state succeeded--and1 on the #agth of ,april1 #agij1 about eleven o'clock at night1 he quietly expired1 closing a long and useful life of eighty-four years and three months4 ,it may not be amiss to add to the above account1 that ,dr4 ,franklin1 in the year #agce1 had a severe pleurisy1 which terminated in an abscess of the left lobe of his lungs1 and he was then almost suffocated with the quantity and suddenness of the discharge4 ,a second attack of a similar nature happened some years after this1 from which he soon recovered1 and did not appear to suffer any inconvenience in his respiration from these diseases4 ,the following epitaph on himself1 was written by him many years previous to his death3-- ,,the ,,body ,,of ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,,printer4 7,,like ,,the ,,cover ,,of ,,an ,,old ,,book1 ,,its ,,contents ,,torn ,,out1 ,,and ,,stript ,,of ,,its ,,lettering ,,and ,,gilding7 ,,lies ,,here ,,food ,,for ,,worms2 ,,yet ,,the ,,work ,,itself ,,shall ,,not ,,be ,,lost1 ,,for ,,it ,,will 7,,as ,,he ,,believed7 ,,appear ,,once ,,more ,,in ,a ,,new ,,and ,,more ,,beautiful ,,edition ,,corrected ,,and ,,amended ,,by ,,the ,,author4#ad ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,last ,,will ,,and ,,testament ,,of ,,dr4 ,,franklin4 ,with regard to my books1 those ,i had in ,france1 and those ,i left in ,philadelphia1 being now assembled together here1 and a catalogue made of them1 it is my intention to dispose of the same as follows3 ,my ,history of the ,academy of ,sciences1 in sixty or seventy volumes quarto1 ,i give to the philosophical society of ,philadelphia1 of which ,i have the honour to be president4 ,my collection in folio of ,les ,arts et les ,metiers1 ,i give to the ,american philosophical society1 established in ,new ,england1 of which ,i am a member4 ,my quarto edition of the same1 ,arts et ,metiers1 ,i give to the library company of ,philadelphia4 ,such and so many of my books as ,i shall mark1 in the said catalogue1 with the name of my grandson ,benjamin ,franklin ,bache1 ,i do hereby give to him3 and such and so many of my books1 as ,i shall mark in the said catalogue with the name of my grandson ,william ,bache1 ,i do hereby give to him3 and such as shall be marked with the name of ,jonathan ,williams1 ,i hereby give to my cousin of that name4 ,the residue and remainder of all my books1 manuscripts1 and papers1 ,i do give to my grandson ,william ,temple ,franklin4 ,my share in the library company of ,philadelphia ,i give to my grandson ,benjamin ,franklin ,bache1 confiding that he will permit his brothers and sisters to share in the use of it4 ,i was born in ,boston1 ,new ,england1 and owe my first instructions in literature to the free grammar-schools established there4 ,i therefore give one hundred pounds sterling to my executors1 to be by them1 the survivors or survivor of them1 paid over to the managers or directors of the free-schools in my native town of ,boston1 to be by them1 or the person or persons who shall have the superintendance and management of the said schools1 put out to interest1 and so continued at interest for ever2 which interest annually shall be laid out in silver medals1 and given as honorary rewards annually by the directors of the said free-schools1 for the encouragement of scholarship in the said schools1 belonging to the said town1 in such manner as to the discretion of the select men of the said town shall seem meet4 ,out of the salary that may remain due to me1 as president of the state1 ,i give the sum of two thousand pounds to my executors1 to be by them1 the survivors or survivor of them1 paid over to such person or persons as the legislature of this state1 by an act of assembly1 shall appoint to receive the same1 in trust1 to be employed for making the ,schuylkil navigable4 ,during the number of years ,i was in business as a stationer1 printer1 and post-master1 a great many small sums became due to me for books1 advertisements1 postage of letters1 and other matters1 which were not collected1 when1 in #ageg1 ,i was sent by the assembly to ,england as their agent--and1 by subsequent appointments1 continued there till #agge--when1 on my return1 ,i was immediately engaged in the affairs of congress1 and sent to ,france in #aggf1 where ,i remained nine years1 not returning till #aghe2 and the said debts not being demanded in such a length of time1 are become in a manner obsolete1 yet are nevertheless justly due4--,these as they are stated in my great folio ledger1 ,e1 ,i bequeath to the contributors of the ,pennsylvania hospital2 hoping that those debtors1 and the descendants of such as are deceased1 who now1 as ,i find1 make some difficulty of satisfying such antiquated demands as just debts1 may1 however1 be induced to pay or give them as charity to that excellent institution4 ,i am sensible that much must inevitably be lost2 but ,i hope something considerable may be recovered4 ,it is possible too1 that some of the parties charged may have existing old unsettled accounts against me3 in which case the managers of the said hospital will allow and deduct the amount1 or pay the balance1 if they find it against me4 ,i request my friends1 ,henry ,hill1 ,esq4 ,john ,jay1 ,esq4 ,francis ,hopkinson1 ,esq4 and ,mr4 ,edward ,duffield1 of ,bonfield1 in ,philadelphia county1 to be the executors of this my last will and testament1 and ,i hereby nominate and appoint them for that purpose4 ,i would have my body buried with as little expence or ceremony as may be4 ,,philadelphia1 ,july #ag1 #aggh4 ,,codicil4 ,i ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 in the foregoing or annexed last will and testament1 having further considered the same1 do think proper to make and publish the following codicil1 in addition thereto4 ,it having long been a fixed and political opinion of mine1 that in a democratical state1 there ought to be no offices of profit1 for the reasons ,i had given in an article of my drawing in our constitution1 it was my intention1 when ,i accepted the office of president1 to devote the appointed salary to some public use2 accordingly ,i had already1 before ,i made my last will in ,july last1 given large sums of it to colleges1 schools1 building of churches1 c42 and in that will ,i bequeathed two thousand pounds more to the state1 for the purpose of making the ,schuylkil navigable2 but understanding since1 that such a sum will do but little1 towards accomplishing such a work1 and that project is not likely to be undertaken for many years to come--and having entertained another idea1 which ,i hope may be more extensively useful1 ,i do hereby revoke and annul the bequest1 and direct that the certificates ,i have of what remains due to me of that salary1 be sold towards raising the sum of two thousand pounds sterling1 to be disposed of as ,i am now about to order4 ,it has been an opinion1 that he who receives an estate from his ancestors1 is under some obligation to transmit the same to posterity4 ,this obligation lies not on me1 who never inherited a shilling from any ancestor or relation4 ,i shall1 however1 if it is not diminished by some accident before my death1 leave a considerable estate among my descendants and relations4 ,the above observation is made merely as some apology to my family1 for my making bequests that do not appear to have any immediate relation to their advantage4 ,i was born in ,boston1 ,new ,england1 and owe my first instructions in literature to the free grammar schools established there4 ,i have1 therefore1 considered those schools in my will4 ,but ,i am also under obligations to the state of ,massachussets1 for having1 unasked1 appointed me formerly their agent1 with a handsome salary1 which continued some years2 and although ,i accidentally lost in their service1 by transmitting governor ,hutchinson's letters1 much more than the amount of what they gave me1 ,i do not think that ought in the least to diminish my gratitude4 ,i have considered that1 among artisans1 good apprentices are most likely to make good citizens1 and having myself been bred to a manual art1 printing1 in my native town1 and afterwards assisted to set up my business in ,philadelphia by kind loans of money from two friends there1 which was the foundation of my fortune1 and of all the utility in life that may be ascribed to me--,i wish to be useful even after my death1 if possible1 in forming and advancing other young men1 that may be serviceable to their country in both these towns4 ,to this end ,i devote two thousand pounds sterling1 which ,i give1 one thousand thereof to the inhabitants of the town of ,boston1 in ,massachussets1 and the other thousand to the inhabitants of the city of ,philadelphia1 in trust1 to and for the uses1 intents1 and purposes1 herein after mentioned and declared4 ,the said sum of one thousand pounds sterling1 if accepted by the inhabitants of the town of ,boston1 shall be managed under the direction of the select men1 united with the ministers of the oldest episcopalian1 congregational1 and presbyterian churches in that town1 who are to let out the same at five per cent4 per annum1 to such young married artificers1 under the age of twenty-five years1 as have served an apprenticeship in the said town1 and faithfully fulfilled the duties required in their indentures1 so as to obtain a good moral character from at least two respectable citizens1 who are willing to become sureties in a bond1 with the applicants1 for the re-payment of the money so lent1 with interest1 according to the terms hereinafter prescribed2 all which bonds are to be taken for ,spanish milled dollars1 or the value thereof in current gold coin3 and the manager shall keep a bound book1 or books1 wherein shall be entered the names of those who shall apply for1 and receive the benefit of this institution1 and of their sureties1 together with the sums lent1 the dates1 and other necessary and proper records1 respecting the business and concerns of this institution3 and as these loans are intended to assist young married artificers1 in setting up their business1 they are to be proportioned by the discretion of the managers1 so as not to exceed sixty pounds sterling to one person1 nor to be less than fifteen pounds4 ,and if the number of appliers so entitled should be so large as that the sum will not suffice to afford to each as much as might otherwise not be improper1 the proportion to each shall be diminished1 so as to afford to every one some assistance4 ,these aids may1 therefore1 be small at first1 but as the capital increases by the accumulated interest1 they will be more ample4 ,and in order to serve as many as possible in their turn1 as well as to make the re-payment of the principal borrowed more easy1 each borrower shall be obliged to pay with the yearly interest1 one tenth part of the principal2 which sums of principal and interest so paid in1 shall be again let out to fresh borrowers4 ,and it is presumed1 that there will be always found in ,boston virtuous and benevolent citizens1 willing to bestow a part of their time in doing good to the rising generation1 by superintending and managing this institution gratis2 it is hoped that no part of the money will at any time lie dead1 or be diverted to other purposes1 but be continually augmenting by the interest1 in which case1 there may in time be more than the occasion in ,boston may require2 and then some may be spared to the neighbouring or other towns1 in the said state of ,massachusetts1 which may desire to have it1 such towns engaging to pay punctually the interest1 and the proportion of the principal annually to the inhabitants of the town of ,boston4 ,if this plan is executed1 and succeeds1 as projected1 for one hundred years1 the sum will then be one hundred and thirty thousand pounds1 of which ,i would have the managers of the donation to the town of ,boston then lay out1 at their discretion1 one hundred thousand pounds in public works1 which may be judged of most general utility to the inhabitants2 such as fortifications1 bridges1 aqueducts1 public buildings1 baths1 pavements1 or whatever may make living in the town more convenient to its people1 and render it more agreeable to strangers resorting thither for health1 or a temporary residence4 ,the remaining thirty-one thousand pounds ,i would have continued to be let out to interest1 in the manner above directed1 for one hundred years2 as ,i hope it will have been found that the institution has had a good effect on the conduct of youth1 and been of service to many worthy characters and useful citizens4 ,at the end of this second term1 if no unfortunate accident has prevented the operation1 the sum will be four millions and sixty-one thousand pounds sterling1 of which ,i leave one million and sixty-one thousand pounds to the disposition and management of the inhabitants of the town of ,boston1 and the three millions to the disposition of the government of the state--not presuming to carry my views farther4 ,all the directions herein given respecting the disposition and management of the donation to the inhabitants of ,boston1 ,i would have observed respecting that to the inhabitants of ,philadelphia2 only1 as ,philadelphia is incorporated1 ,i request the corporation of that city to undertake the management1 agreeable to the said directions3 and ,i do hereby vest them with full and ample powers for that purpose4 ,and having considered that the covering its ground-plat with buildings and pavements1 which carry off most of the rain1 and prevent its soaking into the earth1 and renewing and purifying the springs1 whence the water of the wells must gradually grow worse1 and in time be unfit for use1 as ,i find has happened in all old cities2 ,i recommend1 that1 at the end of the first hundred years1 if not done before1 the corporation of the city employ a part of the hundred thousand pounds in bringing by pipes the water of ,wissahickon-creek into the town1 so as to supply the inhabitants1 which ,i apprehend may be done without great difficulty1 the level of that creek being much above that of the city1 and may be made higher by a dam4 ,i also recommend making the ,schuylkil completely navigable4 ,at the end of the second hundred years1 ,i would have the disposition of the four millions and sixty-one thousand pounds divided between the inhabitants of the city of ,philadelphia and the government of ,pennsylvania1 in the same manner as herein directed with respect to that of the inhabitants of ,boston and the government of ,massachusetts4 ,it is my desire that this institution should take place1 and begin to operate within one year after my decease1 for which purpose due notice should be publicly given1 previous to the expiration of that year1 that those for whose benefit this establishment is intended may make their respective applications3 and ,i hereby direct my executors1 the survivor or survivors of them1 within six months after my decease1 to pay over the said sum of two thousand pounds sterling to such persons as shall be duly appointed by the select men of ,boston1 and the corporation of ,philadelphia1 to receive and take charge of their respective sums of one thousand pounds each1 for the purposes aforesaid4 ,considering the accidents to which all human affairs and projects are subject in such a length of time1 ,i have1 perhaps1 too much flattered myself with a vain fancy1 that these dispositions1 if carried into execution1 will be continued without interruption1 and have the effects proposed3 ,i hope1 however1 that if the inhabitants of the two cities should not think fit to undertake the execution1 they will at least accept the offer of these donations1 as a mark of my good will1 token of my gratitude1 and testimony of my desire to be useful to them even after my departure4 ,i wish1 indeed1 that they may both undertake to endeavour the execution of my project1 because ,i think1 that1 though unforeseen difficulties may arise1 expedients will be found to remove them1 and the scheme be found practicable4 ,if one of them accepts the money with the conditions1 and the other refuses1 my will then is1 that both sums be given to the inhabitants of the city accepting2 the whole to be applied to the same purposes1 and under the same regulations directed for the separate parts2 and1 if both refuse1 the money remains of course in the mass of my estate1 and it is to be disposed of therewith1 according to my will made the seventeenth day of ,july1 #aghh4 ,my fine crab-tree walking-stick1 with a gold head curiously wrought in the form of the cap of ,liberty1 ,i give to my friend1 and the friend of mankind1 ,general ,washington4 ,if it was a sceptre1 he has merited it1 and would become it4 ,,footnote3 #ad ,this epitaph first appeared in a ,boston news-paper established and printed by ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,e4 ,,letters ,,and ,,papers ,,on ,,electricity4 ,it may not be improper to present the reader with the following extract from the preface to the first edition of ,dr4 ,franklin's papers on electricity1 which1 as we have stated in the advertisement1 formed a pamphlet only4 ,the following observations and experiments were not drawn up with a view to their being made public1 but were communicated at different times1 and most of them in letters1 written on various topics1 as matters only of private amusement4 ,but some persons1 to whom they were read1 and who had themselves been conversant in electrical disquisitions1 were of opinion1 they contained so many curious and interesting particulars relative to this affair1 that it would be doing a kind of injustice to the public1 to confine them solely to the limits of a private acquaintance4 ,the editor was therefore prevailed upon to commit such extracts of letters and other detached pieces as were in his hands to the press1 without waiting for the ingenious author's permission so to do2 and this was done with the less hesitation1 as it was apprehended the author's engagements in other affairs would scarce afford him leisure to give the public his reflections and experiments on the subject1 finished with that care and precision1 of which the treatise before us shows he is alike studious and capable4 ,with respect to the general merit and originality of the experiments and hypothesis of ,dr4 ,franklin1 as described and explained in these letters1 the following is the testimony of one of the first natural philosophers of his age--the late ,dr4 ,priestly1 in his ,history of ,electricity4 ,nothing was ever written upon the subject of electricity which was more generally read and admired in all parts of ,europe than these letters4 ,there is hardly any ,european language into which they have not been translated2 and1 as if this were not sufficient to make them properly known1 a translation of them has lately been made into ,latin4 ,it is not easy to say1 whether we are most pleased with the simplicity and perspicuity with which these letters are written1 the modesty with which the author proposes every hypothesis of his own1 or the noble frankness with which he relates his mistakes1 when they were corrected by subsequent experiments4 ,though the ,english have not been backward in acknowledging the great merit of this philosopher1 he has had the singular good fortune to be1 perhaps1 even more celebrated abroad than at home2 so that1 to form a just idea of the great and deserved reputation of ,dr4 ,franklin1 we must read the foreign publications on the subject of electricity2 in many of which the terms ,franklinism1 ,franklinist1 and the ,franklinian system1 occur in almost every page4 ,in consequence of this1 ,dr4 ,franklin's principles bid fair to be handed down to posterity as equally expressive of the true principles of electricity1 as the ,newtonian philosophy is of the true system of nature in general4 ,,letters ,,and ,,papers ,,on ,,philosophical ,,subjects4 ,,electricity4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,,introductory ,,letter4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #bh1 #agdg4 ,,sir1 ,your kind present of an electric tube1 with directions for using it1 has put several of us#ae on making electrical experiments1 in which we have observed some particular phenomena that we look upon to be new4 ,i shall therefore communicate them to you in my next1 though possibly they may not be new to you1 as among the numbers daily employed in those experiments on your side the water1 it is probable some one or other has hit on the same observations4 ,for my own part1 ,i never was before engaged in any study that so totally engrossed my attention and my time as this has lately done2 for what with making experiments when ,i can be alone1 and repeating them to my friends and acquaintance1 who1 from the novelty of the thing1 come continually in crowds to see them1 ,i have1 during some months past1 had little leisure for any thing else4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #ae i4 e4 of the ,library-,company1 an institution of the author's1 founded #agcj4 ,to which company the present was made#af4 #af ,where notes occur without a signature1 in the ,philosophical1 or other ,papers1 they are generally notes of the author4--,,editor4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,wonderful ,effect of ,points4--,positive and negative ,electricity4--,electrical ,kiss4--,counterfeit ,spider4--,simple and commodious electrical ,machine4 ,philadelphia1 ,july #aa1 #agdg4 ,,sir1 ,in my last ,i informed you that1 in pursuing our electrical enquiries1 we had observed some particular phenomena1 which we looked upon to be new1 and of which ,i promised to give you some account1 though ,i apprehended they might not possibly be new to you1 as so many hands are daily employed in electrical experiments on your side the water1 some or other of which would probably hit on the same observations4 ,the first is the wonderful effect of pointed bodies1 both in drawing off and throwing off the electrical fire4 ,for example1 ,place an iron shot of three or four inches diameter on the mouth of a clean dry glass bottle4 ,by a fine silken thread from the cieling1 right over the mouth of the bottle1 suspend a small cork-ball1 about the bigness of a marble2 the thread of such a length1 as that the cork-ball may rest against the side of the shot4 ,electrify the shot1 and the ball will be repelled to the distance of four or five inches1 more or less1 according to the quantity of electricity4--,when in this state1 if you present to the shot the point of a long1 slender1 sharp bodkin1 at six or eight inches distance1 the repellency is instantly destroyed1 and the cork flies to the shot4 ,a blunt body must be brought within an inch1 and draw a spark to produce the same effect4 ,to prove that the electrical fire is drawn off by the point1 if you take the blade of the bodkin out of the wooden handle1 and fix it in a stick of sealing-wax1 and then present it at the distance aforesaid1 or if you bring it very near1 no such effect follows2 but sliding one finger along the wax till you touch the blade1 and the ball flies to the shot immediately4--,if you present the point in the dark1 you will see1 sometimes at a foot distance and more1 a light gather upon it1 like that of a fire-fly1 or glow-worm2 the less sharp the point1 the nearer you must bring it to observe the light2 and at whatever distance you see the light1 you may draw off the electrical fire1 and destroy the repellency4--,if a cork-ball so suspended be repelled by the tube1 and a point be presented quick to it1 though at a considerable distance1 it is surprising to see how suddenly it flies back to the tube4 ,points of wood will do near as well as those of iron1 provided the wood is not dry2 for perfectly dry wood will no more conduct electricity than sealing-wax4 ,to shew that points will throw off#ag as well as draw off the electrical fire2 lay a long sharp needle upon the shot1 and you cannot electrise the shot so as to make it repel the cork-ball4--,or fix a needle to the end of a suspended gun-barrel1 or iron-rod1 so as to point beyond it like a little bayonet#ah2 and while it remains there1 the gun-barrel1 or rod1 cannot by applying the tube to the other end be electrised so as to give a spark1 the fire continually running out silently at the point4 ,in the dark you may see it make the same appearance as it does in the case before-mentioned4 ,the repellency between the cork-ball and the shot is likewise destroyed4 #a4 ,by sifting fine sand on it2 this does it gradually4 #b4 ,by breathing on it4 #c4 ,by making a smoke about it from burning wood#ai4 #d4 ,by candle-light1 even though the candle is at a foot distance3 these do it suddenly4--,the light of a bright coal from a wood fire2 and the light of a red-hot iron do it likewise2 but not at so great a distance4 ,smoke from dry rosin dropt on hot iron1 does not destroy the repellency2 but is attracted by both shot and cork-ball1 forming proportionable atmospheres round them1 making them look beautifully1 somewhat like some of the figures in ,burnet's or ,whiston's ,theory of the ,earth4 ,n4,b4 ,this experiment should be made in a closet1 where the air is very still1 or it will be apt to fail4 ,the light of the sun thrown strongly on both cork and shot by a looking-glass for a long time together1 does not impair the repellency in the least4 ,this difference between fire-light and sun-light is another thing that seems new and extraordinary to us#bj4 ,we had for some time been of opinion1 that the electrical fire was not created by friction1 but collected1 being really an element diffused among1 and attracted by other matter1 particularly by water and metals4 ,we had even discovered and demonstrated its afflux to the electrical sphere1 as well as its efflux1 by means of little light windmill-wheels made of stiff paper vanes1 fixed obliquely1 and turning freely on fine wire axes4 ,also by little wheels of the same matter1 but formed like water-wheels4 ,of the disposition and application of which wheels1 and the various phenomena resulting1 ,i could1 if ,i had time1 fill you a sheet#ba4 ,the impossibility of electrising one's self 7though standing on wax7 by rubbing the tube1 and drawing the fire from it2 and the manner of doing it1 by passing the tube near a person or thing standing on the floor1 c4 had also occurred to us some months before ,mr4 ,watson's ingenious ,sequel came to hand1 and these were some of the new things ,i intended to have communicated to you4--,but now ,i need only mention some particulars not hinted in that piece1 with our reasonings thereupon3 though perhaps the latter might well enough be spared4 #a4 ,a person standing on wax1 and rubbing the tube1 and another person on wax drawing the fire1 they will both of them 7provided they do not stand so as to touch one another7 appear to be electrised1 to a person standing on the floor2 that is1 he will perceive a spark on approaching each of them with his knuckle4 #b4 ,but if the persons on wax touch one another during the exciting of the tube1 neither of them will appear to be electrised4 #c4 ,if they touch one another after exciting the tube1 and drawing the fire as aforesaid1 there will be a stronger spark between them than was between either of them and the person on the floor4 #d4 ,after such strong spark1 neither of them discover any electricity4 ,these appearances we attempt to account for thus3 ,we suppose1 as aforesaid1 that electrical fire is a common element1 of which every one of the three persons abovementioned has his equal share1 before any operation is begun with the tube4 ,a1 who stands on wax and rubs the tube1 collects the electrical fire from himself into the glass2 and his communication with the common stock being cut off by the wax1 his body is not again immediately supplied4 ,b17who stands on wax likewise7 passing his knuckle along near the tube1 receives the fire which was collected by the glass from ,a2 and his communication with the common stock being likewise cut off1 he retains the additional quantity received4--,to ,c1 standing on the floor1 both appear to be electrised3 for he having only the middle quantity of electrical fire1 receives a spark upon approaching ,b1 who has an over quantity2 but gives one to ,a1 who has an under quantity4 ,if ,a and ,b approach to touch each other1 the spark is stronger1 because the difference between them is greater3 ,after such touch there is no spark between either of them and ,c1 because the electrical fire in all is reduced to the original equality4 ,if they touch while electrising1 the equality is never destroyed1 the fire only circulating4 ,hence have arisen some new terms among us2 we say ,b1 7and bodies like circumstanced7 is electrised positively2 ,a1 negatively4 ,or rather1 ,b is electrised plus2 ,a1 minus4 ,and we daily in our experiments electrise bodies plus or minus1 as we think proper4--,to electrise plus or minus1 no more needs to be known than this1 that the parts of the tube or sphere that are rubbed1 do1 in the instant of the friction1 attract the electrical fire1 and therefore take it from the thing rubbing3 the same parts immediately1 as the friction upon them ceases1 are disposed to give the fire they have received1 to any body that has less4 ,thus you may circulate it1 as ,mr4 ,watson has shewn2 you may also accumulate or subtract it1 upon1 or from any body1 as you connect that body with the rubber or with the receiver1 the communication with the common stock being cut off4 ,we think that ingenious gentleman was deceived when he imagined 7in his ,sequel7 that the electrical fire came down the wire from the cieling to the gun-barrel1 thence to the sphere1 and so electrised the machine and the man turning the wheel1 c4 ,we suppose it was driven off1 and not brought on through that wire2 and that the machine and man1 c4 were electrised minus2 i4 e4 had less electrical fire in them than things in common4 ,as the vessel is just upon sailing1 ,i cannot give you so large an account of ,american electricity as ,i intended3 ,i shall only mention a few particulars more4--,we find granulated lead better to fill the phial with1 than water1 being easily warmed1 and keeping warm and dry in damp air4--,we fire spirits with the wire of the phial4--,we light candles1 just blown out1 by drawing a spark among the smoke between the wire and snuffers4--,we represent lightning1 by passing the wire in the dark1 over a china plate that has gilt flowers1 or applying it to gilt frames of looking-glasses1 c4--,we electrise a person twenty or more times running1 with a touch of the finger on the wire1 thus3 ,he stands on wax4 ,give him the electrised bottle in his hand4 ,touch the wire with your finger1 and then touch his hand or face2 there are sparks every time#bb4--,we encrease the force of the electrical kiss vastly1 thus3 ,let ,a and ,b stand on wax2 or ,a on wax1 and ,b on the floor2 give one of them the electrised phial in hand2 let the other take hold of the wire2 there will be a small spark2 but when their lips approach1 they will be struck and shock'd4 ,the same if another gentleman and lady1 ,c and ,d1 standing also on wax1 and joining hands with ,a and ,b1 salute or shake hands4 ,we suspend by fine silk thread a counterfeit spider1 made of a small piece of burnt cork1 with legs of linnen thread1 and a grain or two of lead stuck in him1 to give him more weight4 ,upon the table1 over which he hangs1 we stick a wire upright1 as high as the phial and wire1 four or five inches from the spider3 then we animate him1 by setting the electrified phial at the same distance on the other side of him2 he will immediately fly to the wire of the phial1 bend his legs in touching it1 then spring off1 and fly to the wire in the table1 thence again to the wire of the phial1 playing with his legs against both1 in a very entertaining manner1 appearing perfectly alive to persons unacquainted4 ,he will continue this motion an hour or more in dry weather4--,we electrify1 upon wax in the dark1 a book that has a double line of gold round upon the covers1 and then apply a knuckle to the gilding2 the fire appears every where upon the gold like a flash of lightning3 not upon the leather1 nor1 if you touch the leather instead of the gold4 ,we rub our tubes with buckskin1 and observe always to keep the same side to the tube1 and never to sully the tube by handling2 thus they work readily and easily1 without the least fatigue1 especially if kept in tight pasteboard cases1 lined with flannel1 and sitting close to the tube#bc4 ,this ,i mention1 because the ,european papers on electricity frequently speak of rubbing the tube as a fatiguing exercise4 ,our spheres are fixed on iron axes1 which pass through them4 ,at one end of the axis there is a small handle1 with which you turn the sphere like a common grind-stone4 ,this we find very commodious1 as the machine takes up but little room1 is portable1 and may be enclosed in a tight box1 when not in use4 ,it is true1 the sphere does not turn so swift as when the great wheel is used3 but swiftness we think of little importance1 since a few turns will charge the phial1 c4 sufficiently#bd4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #ag ,this power of points to throw off the electrical fire1 was first communicated to me by my ingenious friend ,mr4 ,thomas ,hopkinson1 since deceased1 whose virtue and integrity1 in every station of life1 public and private1 will ever make his memory dear to those who knew him1 and knew how to value him4 #ah ,this was ,mr4 ,hopkinson's experiment1 made with an expectation of drawing a more sharp and powerful spark from the point1 as from a kind of focus1 and he was surprised to find little or none4 #ai ,we suppose every particle of sand1 moisture1 or smoke1 being first attracted and then repelled1 carries off with it a portion of the electrical fire2 but that the same still subsists in those particles1 till they communicate it to something else1 and that it is never really destroyed4 ,so when water is thrown on common fire1 we do not imagine the element is thereby destroyed or annihilated1 but only dispersed1 each particle of water carrying off in vapour its portion of the fire1 which it had attracted and attached to itself4 #bj ,this different effect probably did not arise from any difference in the light1 but rather from the particles separated from the candle1 being first attracted and then repelled1 carrying off the electric matter with them2 and from the rarefying the air1 between the glowing coal or red-hot iron1 and the electrised shot1 through which rarefied air the electric fluid could more readily pass4 #ba ,these experiments with the wheels1 were made and communicated to me by my worthy and ingenious friend ,mr4 ,philip ,syng2 but we afterwards discovered that the motion of those wheels was not owing to any afflux or efflux of the electric fluid1 but to various circumstances of attraction and repulsion4 #agej4 #bb ,by taking a spark from the wire1 the electricity within the bottle is diminished2 the outside of the bottle then draws some from the person holding it1 and leaves him in the negative state4 ,then when his hand or face is touched1 an equal quantity is restored to him from the person touching4 #bc ,our tubes are made here of green glass1 #bg or #cj inches long1 as big as can be grasped4 #bd ,this simple easily-made machine was a contrivance of ,mr4 ,syng's4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,observations on the ,leyden ,bottle1 with ,experiments proving the different electrical ,state of its different ,surfaces4 ,philadelphia1 ,sept4 #a1 #agdg4 ,,sir1 ,the necessary trouble of copying long letters1 which1 perhaps1 when they come to your hands1 may contain nothing new1 or worth your reading1 7so quick is the progress made with you in electricity7 half discourages me from writing any more on that subject4 ,yet ,i cannot forbear adding a few observations on ,m4 ,muschenbroek's wonderful bottle4 #a4 ,the non-electric contained in the bottle differs1 when electrised1 from a non-electric electrised out of the bottle1 in this3 that the electrical fire of the latter is accumulated on its surface1 and forms an electrical atmosphere round it of considerable extent2 but the electrical fire is crowded into the substance of the former1 the glass confining it#be4 #b4 ,at the same time that the wire and the top of the bottle1 c4 is electrised positively or plus1 the bottom of the bottle is electrised negatively or minus1 in exact proportion3 i4 e4 whatever quantity of electrical fire is thrown in at the top1 an equal quantity goes out of the bottom#bf4 ,to understand this1 suppose the common quantity of electricity in each part of the bottle1 before the operation begins1 is equal to #bj2 and at every stroke of the tube1 suppose a quantity equal to #a is thrown in2 then1 after the first stroke1 the quantity contained in the wire and upper part of the bottle will be #ba1 in the bottom #ai4 ,after the second1 the upper part will have #bb1 the lower #ah1 and so on1 till1 after #bj strokes1 the upper part will have a quantity of electrical fire equal to #dj1 the lower part none3 and then the operation ends3 for no more can be thrown into the upper part1 when no more can be driven out of the lower part4 ,if you attempt to throw more in1 it is spewed back through the wire1 or flies out in loud cracks through the sides of the bottle4 #c4 ,the equilibrium cannot be restored in the bottle by inward communication or contact of the parts2 but it must be done by a communication formed without the bottle1 between the top and bottom1 by some non-electric1 touching or approaching both at the same time2 in which case it is restored with a violence and quickness inexpressible2 or1 touching each alternately1 in which case the equilibrium is restored by degrees4 #d4 ,as no more electrical fire can be thrown into the top of the bottle1 when all is driven out of the bottom1 so in a bottle not yet electrised1 none can be thrown into the top1 when none can get out at the bottom2 which happens either when the bottom is too thick1 or when the bottle is placed on an electric per se4 ,again1 when the bottle is electrised1 but little of the electrical fire can be drawn out from the top1 by touching the wire1 unless an equal quantity can at the same time get in at the bottom#bg4 ,thus1 place an electrised bottle on clean glass or dry wax1 and you will not1 by touching the wire1 get out the fire from the top4 ,place it on a non-electric1 and touch the wire1 you will get it out in a short time2 but soonest when you form a direct communication as above4 ,so wonderfully are these two states of electricity1 the plus and minus1 combined and balanced in this miraculous bottle6 situated and related to each other in a manner that ,i can by no means comprehend6 ,if it were possible that a bottle should in one part contain a quantity of air strongly comprest1 and in another part a perfect vacuum1 we know the equilibrium would be instantly restored within4 ,but here we have a bottle containing at the same time a plenum of electrical fire1 and a vacuum of the same fire2 and yet the equilibrium cannot be restored between them but by a communication without6 though the plenum presses violently to expand1 and the hungry vacuum seems to attract as violently in order to be filled4 #e4 ,the shock to the nerves 7or convulsion rather7 is occasioned by the sudden passing of the fire through the body in its way from the top to the bottom of the bottle4 ,the fire takes the shortest#bh course1 as ,mr4 ,watson justly observes3 ,but it does not appear from experiment that in order for a person to be shocked1 a communication with the floor is necessary3 for he that holds the bottle with one hand1 and touches the wire with the other1 will be shocked as much1 though his shoes be dry1 or even standing on wax1 as otherwise4 ,and on the touch of the wire1 7or of the gun-barrel1 which is the same thing7 the fire does not proceed from the touching finger to the wire1 as is supposed1 but from the wire to the finger1 and passes through the body to the other hand1 and so into the bottom of the bottle4 ,experiments confirming the above4 ,,experiment ,i4 ,place an electrised phial on wax2 a small cork-ball suspended by a dry silk thread held in your hand1 and brought near to the wire1 will first be attracted1 and then repelled3 when in this state of repellency1 sink your hand1 that the ball may be brought towards the bottom of the bottle2 it will be there instantly and strongly attracted1 till it has parted with its fire4 ,if the bottle had a positive electrical atmosphere1 as well as the wire1 an electrified cork would be repelled from one as well as from the other4 ,illustration3 7of the experiments below7 ,plate ,i4 ,vol4 ,i4 page #ahb4 ,published as the ,act directs1 ,april #a1 #ahjf1 by ,longman1 ,hurst1 ,rees ,orme1 ,paternoster ,row4 ,,experiment ,,ii4 ,,fig4 #a4 ,from a bent wire 7a7 sticking in the table1 let a small linen thread 7b7 hang down within half an inch of the electrised phial 7c74 ,touch the wire or the phial repeatedly with your finger1 and at every touch you will see the thread instantly attracted by the bottle4 7,this is best done by a vinegar cruet1 or some such bellied-bottle74 ,as soon as you draw any fire out from the upper part1 by touching the wire1 the lower part of the bottle draws an equal quantity in by the thread4 ,,experiment ,,iii4 ,,fig4 #b4 ,fix a wire in the lead1 with which the bottom of the bottle is armed 7d7 so as that bending upwards1 its ring-end may be level with the top or ring-end of the wire in the cork 7e7 and at three or four inches distance4 ,then electrise the bottle1 and place it on wax4 ,if a cork suspended by a silk thread 7f7 hang between these two wires1 it will play incessantly from one to the other1 till the bottle is no longer electrised2 that is1 it fetches and carries fire from the top to the bottom#bi of the bottle1 till the equilibrium is restored4 ,,experiment ,,iv4 ,,fig4 #c4 ,place an electrised phial on wax2 take a wire 7g7 in form of a ,c1 the ends at such a distance when bent1 as that the upper may touch the wire of the bottle1 when the lower touches the bottom3 stick the outer part on a stick of sealing-wax 7h71 which will serve as a handle2 then apply the lower end to the bottom of the bottle1 and gradually bring the upper end near the wire in the cork4 ,the consequence is1 spark follows spark till the equilibrium is restored4 ,touch the top first1 and on approaching the bottom1 with the other end1 you have a constant stream of fire from the wire entering the bottle4 ,touch the top and bottom together1 and the equilibrium will instantly be restored1 the crooked wire forming the communication4 ,,experiment ,v4 ,,fig4 #d4 ,let a ring of thin lead1 or paper1 surround a bottle 7i7 even at some distance from or above the bottom4 ,from that ring let a wire proceed up1 till it touch the wire of the cork 7k74 ,a bottle so fixt cannot by any means be electrised3 the equilibrium is never destroyed3 for while the communication between the upper and lower parts of the bottle is continued by the outside wire1 the fire only circulates3 what is driven out at bottom1 is constantly supplied from the top#cj4 ,hence a bottle cannot be electrised that is foul or moist on the outside1 if such moisture continue up to the cork or wire4 ,,experiment ,,vi4 ,place a man on a cake of wax1 and present him the wire of the electrified phial to touch1 you standing on the floor1 and holding it in your hand4 ,as often as he touches it1 he will be electrified plus2 and any one standing on the floor may draw a spark from him4 ,the fire in this experiment passes out of the wire into him2 and at the same time out of your hand into the bottom of the bottle4 ,,experiment ,,vii4 ,give him the electrical phial to hold2 and do you touch the wire2 as often as you touch it he will be electrified minus1 and may draw a spark from any one standing on the floor4 ,the fire now passes from the wire to you1 and from him into the bottom of the bottle4 ,,experiment ,,viii4 ,lay two books on two glasses1 back towards back1 two or three inches distant4 ,set the electrified phial on one1 and then touch the wire2 that book will be electrified minus2 the electrical fire being drawn out of it by the bottom of the bottle4 ,take off the bottle1 and holding it in your hand1 touch the other with the wire2 that book will be electrified plus2 the fire passing into it from the wire1 and the bottle at the same time supplied from your hand4 ,a suspended small cork-ball will play between these books till the equilibrium is restored4 ,,experiment ,,ix4 ,when a body is electrised plus1 it will repel a positively electrified feather or small cork-ball4 ,when minus 7or when in the common state7 it will attract them1 but stronger when minus than when in the common state1 the difference being greater4 ,,experiment ,x4 ,though1 as in ,experiment ,,vi1 a man standing on wax may be electrised a number of times by repeatedly touching the wire of an electrised bottle 7held in the hand of one standing on the floor7 he receiving the fire from the wire each time3 yet holding it in his own hand1 and touching the wire1 though he draws a strong spark1 and is violently shocked1 no electricity remains in him2 the fire only passing through him1 from the upper to the lower part of the bottle4 ,observe1 before the shock1 to let some one on the floor touch him to restore the equilibrium in his body2 for in taking hold of the bottom of the bottle1 he sometimes becomes a little electrised minus1 which will continue after the shock1 as would also any plus electricity1 which he might have given him before the shock4 ,for restoring the equilibrium in the bottle1 does not at all affect the electricity in the man through whom the fire passes2 that electricity is neither increased nor diminished4 ,,experiment ,,xi4 ,the passing of the electrical fire from the upper to the lower part#ca of the bottle1 to restore the equilibrium1 is rendered strongly visible by the following pretty experiment4 ,take a book whose covering is filletted with gold2 bend a wire of eight or ten inches long1 in the form of 7m7 ,fig4 #e2 slip it on the end of the cover of the book1 over the gold line1 so as that the shoulder of it may press upon one end of the gold line1 the ring up1 but leaning towards the other end of the book4 ,lay the book on a glass or wax#cb1 and on the other end of the gold lines set the bottle electrised2 then bend the springing wire1 by pressing it with a stick of wax till its ring approaches the ring of the bottle wire1 instantly there is a strong spark and stroke1 and the whole line of gold1 which completes the communication1 between the top and bottom of the bottle1 will appear a vivid flame1 like the sharpest lightning4 ,the closer the contact between the shoulder of the wire1 and the gold at one end of the line1 and between the bottom of the bottle and the gold at the other end1 the better the experiment succeeds4 ,the room should be darkened4 ,if you would have the whole filletting round the cover appear in fire at once1 let the bottle and wire touch the gold in the diagonally opposite corners4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #be ,see this opinion rectified in #af and #ag of the next letter4 ,the fire in the bottle was found by subsequent experiments not to be contained in the non-electric1 but in the glass4 #agdh4 #bf ,what is said here1 and after1 of the top and bottom of the bottle1 is true of the inside and outside surfaces1 and should have been so expressed4 #bg ,see the preceding note1 relating to top and bottom4 #bh ,other circumstances being equal4 #bi i4 e4 from the inside to the outside4 #cj ,see the preceding note1 relating to top and bottom4 #ca i4 e4 ,from the inside to the outside4 #cb ,placing the book on glass or wax is not necessary to produce the appearance2 it is only to show that the visible electricity is not brought up from the common stock in the earth4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,farther ,experiments confirming the preceding ,observations4--,leyden ,bottle analysed4--,electrical ,battery4--,magical ,picture4--,electrical ,wheel or ,jack4--,electrical ,feast4 ,philadelphia1 #agdh4 ,,sir1 #a4 ,there will be the same explosion and shock if the electrified phial is held in one hand by the hook1 and the coating touched with the other1 as when held by the coating1 and touched at the hook4 #b4 ,to take the charged phial safely by the hook1 and not at the same time diminish its force1 it must first be set down on an electric per se4 #c4 ,the phial will be electrified as strongly1 if held by the hook1 and the coating applied to the globe or tube2 as when held by the coating1 and the hook applied#cc4 #d4 ,but the direction of the electrical fire being different in the charging1 will also be different in the explosion4 ,the bottle charged through the hook1 will be discharged through the hook2 the bottle charged through the coating1 will be discharged through the coating1 and not otherways2 for the fire must come out the same way it went in4 #e4 ,to prove this1 take two bottles that were equally charged through the hooks1 one in each hand3 bring their hooks near each other1 and no spark or shock will follow2 because each hook is disposed to give fire1 and neither to receive it4 ,set one of the bottles down on glass1 take it up by the hook1 and apply its coating to the hook of the other2 then there will be an explosion and shock1 and both bottles will be discharged4 #f4 ,vary the experiment1 by charging two phials equally1 one through the hook1 the other through the coating3 hold that by the coating which was charged through the hook2 and that by the hook which was charged through the coating3 apply the hook of the first to the coating of the other1 and there will be no shock or spark4 ,set that down on glass which you held by the hook1 take it up by the coating1 and bring the two hooks together3 a spark and shock will follow1 and both phials be discharged4 ,in this experiment the bottles are totally discharged1 or the equilibrium within them restored4 ,the abounding of fire in one of the hooks 7or rather in the internal surface of one bottle7 being exactly equal to the wanting of the other3 and therefore1 as each bottle has in itself the abounding as well as the wanting1 the wanting and abounding must be equal in each bottle4 ,see #h1 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 ,but if a man holds in his hands two bottles1 one fully electrified1 the other not at all1 and brings their hooks together1 he has but half a shock1 and the bottles will both remain half electrified1 the one being half discharged1 and the other half charged4 #g4 ,place two phials equally charged on a table at five or six inches distance4 ,let a cork-ball1 suspended by a silk thread1 hang between them4 ,if the phials were both charged through their hooks1 the cork1 when it has been attracted and repelled by the one1 will not be attracted1 but equally repelled by the other4 ,but if the phials were charged1 the one through the hook1 and the other#cd through the coating1 the ball1 when it is repelled from one hook1 will be as strongly attracted by the other1 and play vigorously between them1 fetching the electric fluid from the one1 and delivering it to the other1 till both phials are nearly discharged4 #h4 ,when we use the terms of charging and discharging the phial1 it is in compliance with custom1 and for want of others more suitable4 ,since we are of opinion that there is really no more electrical fire in the phial after what is called its charging1 than before1 nor less after its discharging2 excepting only the small spark that might be given to1 and taken from the non-electric matter1 if separated from the bottle1 which spark may not be equal to a five hundredth part of what is called the explosion4 ,for if1 on the explosion1 the electrical fire came out of the bottle by one part1 and did not enter in again by another1 then1 if a man1 standing on wax1 and holding the bottle in one hand1 takes the spark by touching the wire hook with the other1 the bottle being thereby discharged1 the man would be charged2 or whatever fire was lost by one1 would be found in the other1 since there was no way for its escape3 but the contrary is true4 #i4 ,besides1 the phial will not suffer what is called a charging1 unless as much fire can go out of it one way1 as is thrown in by another4 ,a phial cannot be charged standing on wax or glass1 or hanging on the prime conductor1 unless a communication be formed between its coating and the floor4 #aj4 ,but suspend two or more phials on the prime conductor1 one hanging on the tail of the other2 and a wire from the last to the floor1 an equal number of turns of the wheel shall charge them all equally1 and every one as much as one alone would have been4 ,what is driven out at the tail of the first1 serving to charge the second2 what is driven out of the second charging the third2 and so on4 ,by this means a great number of bottles might be charged with the same labour1 and equally high1 with one alone2 were it not that every bottle receives new fire1 and loses its old with some reluctance1 or rather gives some small resistance to the charging1 which in a number of bottles becomes more equal to the charging power1 and so repels the fire back again on the globe1 sooner in proportion than a single bottle would do4 #aa4 ,when a bottle is charged in the common way1 its inside and outside surfaces stand ready1 the one to give fire by the hook1 the other to receive it by the coating2 the one is full1 and ready to throw out1 the other empty and extremely hungry2 yet as the first will not give out1 unless the other can at the same instant receive in2 so neither will the latter receive in1 unless the first can at the same instant give out4 ,when both can be done at once1 it is done with inconceivable quickness and violence4 #ab4 ,so a straight spring 7though the comparison does not agree in every particular7 when forcibly bent1 must1 to restore itself1 contract that side which in the bending was extended1 and extend that which was contracted2 if either of these two operations be hindered1 the other cannot be done4 ,but the spring is not said to be charged with elasticity when bent1 and discharged when unbent2 its quantity of elasticity is always the same4 #ac4 ,glass1 in like manner1 has1 within its substance1 always the same quantity of electrical fire1 and that a very great quantity in proportion to the mass of glass1 as shall be shewn hereafter4 #ad4 ,this quantity1 proportioned to the glass1 it strongly and obstinately retains1 and will have neither more nor less1 though it will suffer a change to be made in its parts and situation2 i4 e4 we may take away part of it from one of the sides1 provided we throw an equal quantity into the other4 #ae4 ,yet when the situation of the electrical fire is thus altered in the glass2 when some has been taken from one side1 and some added to the other1 it will not be at rest or in its natural state1 till it is restored to its original equality4 ,and this restitution cannot be made through the substance of the glass1 but must be done by a non-electric communication formed without1 from surface to surface4 #af4 ,thus1 the whole force of the bottle1 and power of giving a shock1 is in the ,,glass ,,itself2 the non-electrics in contact with the two surfaces1 serving only to give and receive to and from the several parts of the glass2 that is1 to give on one side1 and take away from the other4 #ag4 ,this was discovered here in the following manner3 ,purposing to analyse the electrified bottle1 in order to find wherein its strength lay1 we placed it on glass1 and drew out the cork and wire which for that purpose had been loosely put in4 ,then taking the bottle in one hand1 and bringing a finger of the other near its mouth1 a strong spark came from the water1 and the shock was as violent as if the wire had remained in it1 which shewed that the force did not lie in the wire4 ,then to find if it resided in the water1 being crowded into and condensed in it1 as confined by the glass1 which had been our former opinion1 we electrified the bottle again1 and placing it on glass1 drew out the wire and cork as before2 then taking up the bottle1 we decanted all its water into an empty bottle1 which likewise stood on glass2 and taking up that other bottle1 we expected1 if the force resided in the water1 to find a shock from it2 but there was none4 ,we judged then that it must either be lost in decanting1 or remain in the first bottle4 ,the latter we found to be true2 for that bottle on trial gave the shock1 though filled up as it stood with fresh unelectrified water from a tea-pot4--,to find1 then1 whether glass had this property merely as glass1 or whether the form contributed any thing to it2 we took a pane of sash-glass1 and laying it on the hand1 placed a plate of lead on its upper surface2 then electrified that plate1 and bringing a finger to it1 there was a spark and shock4 ,we then took two plates of lead of equal dimensions1 but less than the glass by two inches every way1 and electrified the glass between them1 by electrifying the uppermost lead2 then separated the glass from the lead1 in doing which1 what little fire might be in the lead was taken out1 and the glass being touched in the electrified parts with a finger1 afforded only very small pricking sparks1 but a great number of them might be taken from different places4 ,then dextrously placing it again between the leaden plates1 and compleating a circle between the two surfaces1 a violent shock ensued4--,which demonstrated the power to reside in glass as glass1 and that the non-electrics in contact served only1 like the armature of a loadstone1 to unite the force of the several parts1 and bring them at once to any point desired3 it being the property of a non-electric1 that the whole body instantly receives or gives what electrical fire is given to or taken from any one of its parts4 #ah4 ,upon this we made what we called an electrical-battery1 consisting of eleven panes of large sash-glass1 armed with thin leaden plates1 pasted on each side1 placed vertically1 and supported at two inches distance on silk cords1 with thick hooks of leaden wire1 one from each side1 standing upright1 distant from each other1 and convenient communications of wire and chain1 from the giving side of one pane1 to the receiving side of the other2 that so the whole might be charged together1 and with the same labour as one single pane2 and another contrivance to bring the giving sides1 after charging1 in contact with one long wire1 and the receivers with another1 which two long wires would give the force of all the plates of glass at once through the body of any animal forming the circle with them4 ,the plates may also be discharged separately1 or any number together that is required4 ,but this machine is not much used1 as not perfectly answering our intention with regard to the ease of charging1 for the reason given1 ,sec4 #aj4 ,we made also of large glass panes1 magical pictures1 and self-moving animated wheels1 presently to be described4 #ai4 ,i perceive by the ingenious ,mr4 ,watson's last book1 lately received1 that ,dr4 ,bevis had used1 before we had1 panes of glass to give a shock#ce2 though1 till that book came to hand1 ,i thought to have communicated it to you as a novelty4 ,the excuse for mentioning it here is1 that we tried the experiment differently1 drew different consequences from it 7for ,mr4 ,watson still seems to think the fire accumulated on the non-electric that is in contact with the glass1 p4 #gb7 and1 as far as we hitherto know1 have carried it farther4 #bj4 ,the magical picture#cf is made thus4 ,having a large metzotinto with a frame and glass1 suppose of the ,,king 7,god preserve him7 take out the print1 and cut a pannel out of it near two inches distant from the frame all round4 ,if the cut is through the picture it is not the worse4 ,with thin paste1 or gum-water1 fix the border that is cut off on the inside the glass1 pressing it smooth and close2 then fill up the vacancy by gilding the glass well with leaf-gold1 or brass4 ,gild likewise the inner edge of the back of the frame all round1 except the top part1 and form a communication between that gilding and the gilding behind the glass3 then put in the board1 and that side is finished4 ,turn up the glass1 and gild the fore side exactly over the back gilding1 and when it is dry1 cover it1 by pasting on the pannel of the picture that hath been cut out1 observing to bring the correspondent parts of the border and picture together1 by which the picture will appear of a piece1 as at first1 only part is behind the glass1 and part before4 ,hold the picture horizontally by the top1 and place a little moveable gilt crown on the king's head4 ,if now the picture be moderately electrified1 and another person take hold of the frame with one hand1 so that his fingers touch its inside gilding1 and with the other hand endeavour to take off the crown1 he will receive a terrible blow1 and fail in the attempt4 ,if the picture were highly charged1 the consequence might perhaps be as fatal#cg as that of high treason1 for when the spark is taken through a quire of paper laid on the picture by means of a wire communication1 it makes a fair hole through every sheet1 that is1 through forty-eight leaves1 though a quire of paper is thought good armour against the push of a sword1 or even against a pistol bullet1 and the crack is exceeding loud4 ,the operator1 who holds the picture by the upper end1 where the inside of the frame is not gilt1 to prevent its falling1 feels nothing of the shock1 and may touch the face of the picture without danger1 which he pretends is a test of his loyalty4--,if a ring of persons take the shock among them1 the experiment is called1 ,the ,conspirators4 #ba4 ,on the principle1 in ,sec4 #g1 that hooks of bottles1 differently charged1 will attract and repel differently1 is made an electrical wheel1 that turns with considerable strength4 ,a small upright shaft of wood passes at right angles through a thin round board1 of about twelve inches diameter1 and turns on a sharp point of iron1 fixed in the lower end1 while a strong wire in the upper end1 passing through a small hole in a thin brass plate1 keeps the shaft truly vertical4 ,about thirty radii of equal length1 made of sash-glass1 cut in narrow strips1 issue horizontally from the circumference of the board1 the ends most distant from the centre1 being about four inches apart4 ,on the end of every one1 a brass thimble is fixed4 ,if now the wire of a bottle electrified in the common way1 be brought near the circumference of this wheel1 it will attract the nearest thimble1 and so put the wheel in motion2 that thimble1 in passing by1 receives a spark and thereby being electrified is repelled1 and so driven forwards2 while a second being attracted1 approaches the wire1 receives a spark1 and is driven after the first1 and so on till the wheel has gone once round1 when the thimbles before electrified approaching the wire1 instead of being attracted as they were at first1 are repelled1 and the motion presently ceases4--,but if another bottle1 which had been charged through the coating1 be placed near the same wheel1 its wire will attract the thimble repelled by the first1 and thereby double the force that carries the wheel round2 and not only taking out the fire that had been communicated to the thimbles by the first bottle1 but even robbing them of their natural quantity1 instead of being repelled when they come again towards the first bottle1 they are more strongly attracted1 so that the wheel mends its pace1 till it goes with great rapidity twelve or fifteen rounds in a minute1 and with such strength1 as that the weight of one hundred ,spanish dollars with which we once loaded it1 did not seem in the least to retard its motion4--,this is called an electrical jack2 and if a large fowl were spitted on the upright shaft1 it would be carried round before a fire with a motion fit for roasting4 #bb4 ,but this wheel1 like those driven by wind1 water1 or weights1 moves by a foreign force1 to wit1 that of the bottles4 ,the self-moving wheel1 though constructed on the same principles1 appears more surprising4 ,it is made of a thin round plate of window-glass1 seventeen inches diameter1 well gilt on both sides1 all but two inches next the edge4 ,two small hemispheres of wood are then fixed with cement to the middle of the upper and under sides1 centrally opposite1 and in each of them a thick strong wire eight or ten inches long1 which together make the axis of the wheel4 ,it turns horizontally on a point at the lower end of its axis1 which rests on a bit of brass cemented within a glass salt-cellar4 ,the upper end of its axis passes through a hole in a thin brass plate cemented to a long strong piece of glass1 which keeps it six or eight inches distant from any non-electric1 and has a small ball of wax or metal on its top1 to keep in the fire4 ,in a circle on the table which supports the wheel1 are fixed twelve small pillars of glass1 at about four inches distance1 with a thimble on the top of each4 ,on the edge of the wheel is a small leaden bullet1 communicating by a wire with the gilding of the upper surface of the wheel2 and about six inches from it is another bullet1 communicating in like manner with the under surface4 ,when the wheel is to be charged by the upper surface1 a communication must be made from the under surface to the table4 ,when it is well charged it begins to move2 the bullet nearest to a pillar moves towards the thimble on that pillar1 and passing by electrifies it1 and then pushes itself from it2 the succeeding bullet1 which communicates with the other surface of the glass1 more strongly attracts that thimble1 on account of its being before electrified by the other bullet2 and thus the wheel encreases its motion till it comes to such a height as that the resistance of the air regulates it4 ,it will go half an hour1 and make one minute with another twenty turns in a minute1 which is six hundred turns in the whole2 the bullet of the upper surface giving in each turn twelve sparks to the thimbles1 which makes seven thousand two hundred sparks3 and the bullet of the under surface receiving as many from the thimbles2 those bullets moving in the time near two thousand five hundred feet4--,the thimbles are well fixed1 and in so exact a circle1 that the bullets may pass within a very small distance of each of them4--,if instead of two bullets you put eight1 four communicating with the upper surface1 and four with the under surface1 placed alternately1 which eight1 at about six inches distance1 completes the circumference1 the force and swiftness will be greatly increased1 the wheel making fifty turns in a minute2 but then it will not continue moving so long4--,these wheels may be applied1 perhaps1 to the ringing of chimes1#ch and moving of light-made orreries4 #bc4 ,a small wire bent circularly1 with a loop at each end2 let one end rest against the under surface of the wheel1 and bring the other end near the upper surface1 it will give a terrible crack1 and the force will be discharged4 #bd4 ,every spark in that manner drawn from the surface of the wheel1 makes a round hole in the gilding1 tearing off a part of it in coming out2 which shews that the fire is not accumulated on the gilding1 but is in the glass itself4 #be4 ,the gilding being varnished over with turpentine varnish1 the varnish1 though dry and hard1 is burnt by the spark drawn through it1 and gives a strong smell and visible smoke4 ,and when the spark is drawn thro' paper1 all round the hole made by it1 the paper will be blacked by the smoke1 which sometimes penetrates several of the leaves4 ,part of the gilding torn off is also found forcibly driven into the hole made in the paper by the stroke4 #bf4 ,it is amazing to observe in how small a portion of glass a great electrical force may lie4 ,a thin glass bubble1 about an inch diameter1 weighing only six grains1 being half filled with water1 partly gilt on the outside1 and furnished with a wire hook1 gives1 when electrified1 as great a shock as a man can well bear4 ,as the glass is thickest near the orifice1 ,i suppose the lower half1 which being gilt was electrified and gave the shock1 did not exceed two grains2 for it appeared1 when broken1 much thinner than the upper half4--,if one of these thin bottles be electrified by the coating1 and the spark taken out through the gilding1 it will break the glass inwards1 at the same time that it breaks the gilding outwards4 #bg4 ,and allowing 7for the reasons before given1 #h1 #i1 #aj17 that there is no more electrical fire in a bottle after charging1 than before1 how great must be the quantity in this small portion of glass6 ,it seems as if it were of its very substance and essence4 ,perhaps if that due quantity of electrical fire so obstinately retained by glass1 could be separated from it1 it would no longer be glass2 it might lose its transparency1 or its brittleness1 or its elasticity4--,experiments may possibly be invented hereafter1 to discover this4 #bg4 ,we were surprised at the account given in ,mr4 ,watson's book1 of a shock communicated through a great space of dry ground1 and suspect there must be some metalline quality in the gravel of that ground2 having found that simple dry earth1 rammed in a glass tube1 open at both ends1 and a wire hook inserted in the earth at each end1 the earth and wires making part of a circuit1 would not conduct the least perceptible shock1 and indeed when one wire was electrified the other hardly shewed any signs of its being in connection with it#ci4 ,even a thoroughly wet packthread sometimes fails of conducting a shock1 though it otherwise conducts electricity very well4 ,a dry cake of ice1 or an icicle held between two in a circle1 likewise prevents the shock1 which one would not expect1 as water conducts it so perfectly well4--,gilding on a new book1 though at first it conducts the shock extremely well1 yet fails after ten or a dozen experiments1 though it appears otherwise in all respects the same1 which we cannot account for#dj4 #bh4 ,there is one experiment more which surprises us1 and is not hitherto satisfactorily accounted for2 it is this3 ,place an iron shot on a glass stand1 and let a ball of damp cork1 suspended by a silk thread1 hang in contact with the shot4 ,take a bottle in each hand1 one that is electrified through the hook1 the other through the coating3 ,apply the giving wire to the shot1 which will electrify it positively1 and the cork shall be repelled3 then apply the requiring wire1 which will take out the spark given by the other2 when the cork will return to the shot3 ,apply the same again1 and take out another spark1 so will the shot be electrified negatively1 and the cork in that case shall be repelled equally as before4 ,then apply the giving wire to the shot1 and give the spark it wanted1 so will the cork return3 ,give it another1 which will be an addition to its natural quantity1 so will the cork be repelled again3 ,and so may the experiment be repeated as long as there is any charge in the bottles4 ,which shews that bodies1 having less than the common quantity of electricity1 repel each other1 as well as those that have more4 ,chagrined a little that we have been hitherto able to produce nothing in this way of use to mankind2 and the hot weather coming on1 when electrical experiments are not so agreeable1 it is proposed to put an end to them for this season1 somewhat humorously1 in a party of pleasure1 on the banks of ,skuylkil#da4 ,spirits1 at the same time1 are to be fired by a spark sent from side to side through the river1 without any other conductor than the water2 an experiment which we some time since performed1 to the amazement of many#db4 ,a turkey is to be killed for our dinner by the electrical shock1 and roasted by the electrical jack1 before a fire kindled by the electrified bottle3 when the healths of all the famous electricians in ,england1 ,holland1 ,france1 and ,germany are to be drank in electrified bumpers#dc1 under the discharge of guns from the electrical battery4 ,,footnotes3 #cc ,this was a discovery of the very ingenious ,mr4 ,kinnersley1 and by him communicated to me4 #cd ,to charge a bottle commodiously through the coating1 place it on a glass stand2 form a communication from the prime conductor to the coating1 and another from the hook to the wall or floor4 ,when it is charged1 remove the latter communication before you take hold of the bottle1 otherwise great part of the fire will escape by it4 #ce ,i have since heard that ,mr4 ,smeaton was the first who made use of panes of glass for that purpose4 #cf ,contrived by ,mr4 ,kinnersley4 #cg ,we have since found it fatal to small animals1 though not to large ones4 ,the biggest we have yet killed is a hen4 #agej4 #ch ,this was afterwards done with success by ,mr4 ,kinnersley4 #ci ,probably the ground is never so dry4 #dj ,we afterwards found that it failed after one stroke with a large bottle2 and the continuity of the gold appearing broken1 and many of its parts dissipated1 the electricity could not pass the remaining parts without leaping from part to part through the air1 which always resists the motion of this fluid1 and was probably the cause of the gold's not conducting so well as before2 the number of interruptions in the line of gold1 making1 when added together1 a space larger1 perhaps1 than the striking distance4 #da ,the river that washes one side of ,philadelphia1 as the ,delaware does the other2 both are ornamented with the summer habitations of the citizens1 and the agreeable mansions of the principal people of this colony4 #db ,as the possibility of this experiment has not been easily conceived1 ,i shall here describe it4--,two iron rods1 about three feet long1 were planted just within the margin of the river1 on the opposite sides4 ,a thick piece of wire1 with a small round knob at its end1 was fixed on the top of one of the rods1 bending downwards1 so as to deliver commodiously the spark upon the surface of the spirit4 ,a small wire fastened by one end to the handle of the spoon1 containing the spirit1 was carried a-cross the river1 and supported in the air by the rope commonly used to hold by1 in drawing the ferry-boats over4 ,the other end of this wire was tied round the coating of the bottle2 which being charged1 the spark was delivered from the hook to the top of the rod standing in the water on that side4 ,at the same instant the rod on the other side delivered a spark into the spoon1 and fired the spirit2 the electric fire returning to the coating of the bottle1 through the handle of the spoon and the supported wire connected with them4 ,that the electric fire thus actually passes through the water1 has since been satisfactorily demonstrated to many by an experiment of ,mr4 ,kinnersley's1 performed in a trough of water about ten feet long4 ,the hand being placed under water in the direction of the spark 7which always takes the strait or shortest course1 if sufficient1 and other circumstances are equal7 is struck and penetrated by it as it passes4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,observations and ,suppositions1 towards forming a new ,hypothesis1 for explaining the several ,phenomena of ,thunder-,gusts4#dd ,,sir1 ,non-electric bodies1 that have electric fire thrown into them1 will retain it till other electrics1 that have less1 approach2 and then it is communicated by a snap1 and becomes equally divided4 #b4 ,electrical fire loves water1 is strongly attracted by it1 and they can subsist together4 #c4 ,air is an electric per se1 and when dry will not conduct the electrical fire2 it will neither receive it1 nor give it to other bodies3 otherwise no body surrounded by air1 could be electrified positively and negatively3 for should it be attempted positively1 the air would immediately take away the overplus2 or negatively1 the air would supply what was wanting4 #d4 ,water being electrified1 the vapours arising from it will be equally electrified2 and floating in the air1 in the form of clouds1 or otherwise1 will retain that quantity of electrical fire1 till they meet with other clouds or bodies not so much electrified1 and then will communicate as before-mentioned4 #e4 ,every particle of matter electrified is repelled by every other particle equally electrified4 ,thus the stream of a fountain1 naturally dense and continual1 when electrified1 will separate and spread in the form of a brush1 every drop endeavouring to recede from every other drop4 ,but on taking out the electrical fire they close again4 #f4 ,water being strongly electrified 7as well as when heated by common fire7 rises in vapours more copiously2 the attraction of cohesion among its particles being greatly weakened1 by the opposite power of repulsion introduced with the electrical fire2 and when any particle is by any means disengaged1 it is immediately repelled1 and so flies into the air4 #g4 ,particles happening to be situated as ,a and ,b1 7,,fig4 ,,vi4 representing the profile of a vessel of water7 are more easily disengaged than ,c and ,d1 as each is held by contact with three only1 whereas ,c and ,d are each in contact with nine4 ,when the surface of the water has the least motion1 particles are continually pushed into the situation represented by ,a and ,b4 #h4 ,friction between a non-electric and an electric per se will produce electrical fire2 not by creating1 but collecting it3 for it is equally diffused in our walls1 floors1 earth1 and the whole mass of common matter4 ,thus the whirling glass globe1 during its friction against the cushion1 draws fire from the cushion1 the cushion is supplied from the frame of the machine1 that from the floor on which it stands4 ,cut off the communication by thick glass or wax1 placed under the cushion1 and no fire can be produced1 because it cannot be collected4 #i4 ,the ocean is a compound of water1 a non-electric1 and salt an electric per se4 #aj4 ,when there is a friction among the parts near its surface1 the electrical fire is collected from the parts below4 ,it is then plainly visible in the night2 it appears in the stern and in the wake of every sailing vessel2 every dash of an oar shews it1 and every surf and spray3 in storms the whole sea seems on fire4--,the detached particles of water then repelled from the electrified surface1 continually carry off the fire as it is collected2 they rise and form clouds1 and those clouds are highly electrified1 and retain the fire till they have an opportunity of communicating it4 #aa4 ,the particles of water1 rising in vapours1 attach themselves to particles of air4 #ab4 ,the particles of air are said to be hard1 round1 separate and distant from each other2 every particle strongly repelling every other particle1 whereby they recede from each other1 as far as common gravity will permit4 #ac4 ,the space between any three particles1 equally repelling each other1 will be an equilateral triangle4 #ad4 ,in air compressed1 these triangles are smaller2 in rarified air they are larger4 #ae4 ,common fire1 joined with air1 increases the repulsion1 enlarges the triangles1 and thereby makes the air specifically lighter4 ,such air1 among denser air1 will rise4 #af4 ,common fire1 as well as electrical fire1 gives repulsion to the particles of water1 and destroys their attraction of cohesion2 hence common fire1 as well as electrical fire1 assists in raising vapours4 #ag4 ,particles of water1 having no fire in them1 mutually attract each other4 ,three particles of water then1 being attached to the three particles of a triangle of air1 would1 by their mutual attraction operating against the air's repulsion1 shorten the sides and lessen the triangle1 whereby that portion of air made denser1 would sink to the earth with its water1 and not rise to the formation of a cloud4 #ah4 ,but if every particle of water attaching itself to air brings with it a particle of common fire1 the repulsion of the air being assisted and strengthened by the fire1 more than obstructed by the mutual attraction of the particles of water1 the triangle dilates1 and that portion of air1 becoming rarer and specifically lighter1 rises4 #ai4 ,if the particles of water bring electrical fire when they attach themselves to air1 the repulsion between the particles of water electrified1 joins with the natural repulsion of the air1 to force its particles to a greater distance1 whereby the triangles are dilated1 and the air rises1 carrying up with it the water4 #bj4 ,if the particles of water bring with them portions of both sorts of fire1 the repulsion of the particles of air is still more strengthened and increased1 and the triangles farther enlarged4 #ba4 ,one particle of air may be surrounded by twelve particles of water of equal size with itself1 all in contact with it2 and by more added to those4 #bb4 ,particles of air1 thus loaded1 would be drawn nearer together by the mutual attraction of the particles of water1 did not the fire1 common or electrical1 assist their repulsion4 #bc4 ,if air1 thus loaded1 be compressed by adverse winds1 or by being driven against mountains1 c4 or condensed by taking away the fire that assisted it in expanding2 the triangles contract1 the air with its water will descend as a dew2 or1 if the water surrounding one particle of air comes in contact with the water surrounding another1 they coalesce and form a drop1 and we have rain4 #bd4 ,the sun supplies 7or seems to supply7 common fire to vapours1 whether raised from earth or sea4 #be4 ,those vapours1 which have both common and electrical fire in them1 are better supported than those which have only common fire in them2 for when vapours rise into the coldest region above the earth1 the cold will not diminish the electrical fire1 if it doth the common4 #bf4 ,hence clouds1 formed by vapours1 raised from fresh waters within land1 from growing vegetables1 moist earth1 c4 more speedily and easily deposite their water1 having but little electrical fire to repel and keep the particles separate4 ,so that the greatest part of the water raised from the land1 is let fall on the land again2 and winds blowing from the land to the sea are dry2 there being little use for rain on the sea1 and to rob the land of its moisture1 in order to rain on the sea1 would not appear reasonable4 #bg4 ,but clouds1 formed by vapours raised from the sea1 having both fires1 and particularly a great quantity of the electrical1 support their water strongly1 raise it high1 and being moved by winds1 may bring it over the middle of the broadest continent from the middle of the widest ocean4 #bh4 ,how these ocean clouds1 so strongly supporting their water1 are made to deposite it on the land where it is wanted1 is next to be considered4 #bi4 ,if they are driven by winds against mountains1 those mountains being less electrified attract them1 and on contact take away their electrical fire 7and being cold1 the common fire also27 hence the particles close towards the mountains and towards each other4 ,if the air was not much loaded1 it only falls in dews on the mountain tops and sides1 forms springs1 and descends to the vales in rivulets1 which1 united1 make larger streams and rivers4 ,if much loaded1 the electrical fire is at once taken from the whole cloud2 and1 in leaving it1 flashes brightly and cracks loudly2 the particles instantly coalescing for want of that fire1 and falling in a heavy shower4 #cj4 ,when a ridge of mountains thus dams the clouds1 and draws the electrical fire from the cloud first approaching it2 that which next follows1 when it comes near the first cloud1 now deprived of its fire1 flashes into it1 and begins to deposite its own water2 the first cloud again flashing into the mountains2 the third approaching cloud1 and all succeeding ones1 acting in the same manner as far back as they extend1 which may be over many hundred miles of country4 #ca4 ,hence the continual storms of rain1 thunder1 and lightning on the east side of the ,andes1 which running north and south1 and being vastly high1 intercept all the clouds brought against them from the ,atlantic ocean by the trade winds1 and oblige them to deposite their waters1 by which the vast rivers ,amazons1 ,la ,plata1 and ,oroonoko are formed1 which return the water into the same sea1 after having fertilized a country of very great extent4 #cb4 ,if a country be plain1 having no mountains to intercept the electrified clouds1 yet it is not without means to make them deposite their water4 ,for if an electrified cloud1 coming from the sea1 meets in the air a cloud raised from the land1 and therefore not electrified2 the first will flash its fire into the latter1 and thereby both clouds shall be made suddenly to deposite water4 #cc4 ,the electrified particles of the first cloud close when they lose their fire2 the particles of the other clouds close in receiving it3 in both1 they have thereby an opportunity of coalescing into drops4--,the concussion1 or jerk given to the air1 contributes also to shake down the water1 not only from those two clouds1 but from others near them4 ,hence the sudden fall of rain immediately after flashes of lightning4 #cd4 ,to shew this by an easy experiment3 ,take two round pieces of pasteboard two inches diameter2 from the centre and circumference of each of them suspend by fine silk threads eighteen inches long1 seven small balls of wood1 or seven peas equal in goodness3 so will the balls appending to each pasteboard1 form equal equilateral triangles1 one ball being in the centre1 and six at equal distances from that1 and from each other2 and thus they represent particles of air4 ,dip both sets in water1 and some adhering to each ball1 they will represent air loaded4 ,dexterously electrify one set1 and its ball will repel each other to a greater distance1 enlarging the triangles4 ,could the water supported by seven balls come into contact1 it would form a drop or drops so heavy as to break the cohesion it had with the balls1 and so fall4 ,let the two sets then represent two clouds1 the one a sea cloud electrified1 the other a land cloud4 ,bring them within the sphere of attraction1 and they will draw towards each other1 and you will see the separated balls close thus2 the first electrified ball that comes near an unelectrified ball by attraction joins it1 and gives it fire2 instantly they separate1 and each flies to another ball of its own party1 one to give1 the other to receive fire2 and so it proceeds through both sets1 but so quick as to be in a manner instantaneous4 ,in the cohesion they shake off and drop their water1 which represents rain4 #ce4 ,thus when sea and land clouds would pass at too great a distance for the flash1 they are attracted towards each other till within that distance2 for the sphere of electrical attraction is far beyond the distance of flashing4 #cf4 ,when a great number of clouds from the sea meet a number of clouds raised from the land1 the electrical flashes appear to strike in different parts2 and as the clouds are jostled and mixed by the winds1 or brought near by the electrical attraction1 they continue to give and receive flash after flash1 till the electrical fire is equally diffused4 #cg4 ,when the gun-barrel1 7in electrical experiments7 has but little electrical fire in it1 you must approach it very near with your knuckle before you can draw a spark4 ,give it more fire1 and it will give a spark at a greater distance4 ,two gun-barrels united1 and as highly electrified1 will give a spark at a still greater distance4 ,but if two gun-barrels electrified will strike at two inches distance1 and make a loud snap1 to what a great distance may #aj1jjj acres of electrified cloud strike and give its fire1 and how loud must be that crack8 #ch4 ,it is a common thing to see clouds at different heights passing different ways1 which shews different currents of air one under the other4 ,as the air between the tropics is rarefied by the sun1 it rises1 the denser northern and southern air pressing into its place4 ,the air so rarefied and forced up1 passes northward and southward1 and must descend in the polar regions1 if it has no opportunity before1 that the circulation may be carried on4 #ci4 ,as currents of air1 with the clouds therein1 pass different ways1 it is easy to conceive how the clouds1 passing over each other1 may attract each other1 and so come near enough for the electrical stroke4 ,and also how electrical clouds may be carried within land very far from the sea1 before they have an opportunity to strike4 #dj4 ,when the air1 with its vapours raised from the ocean between the tropics1 comes to descend in the polar regions1 and to be in contact with the vapours arising there1 the electrical fire they brought begins to be communicated1 and is seen in clear nights1 being first visible where it is first in motion1 that is1 where the contact begins1 or in the most northern part2 from thence the streams of light seem to shoot southerly1 even up to the zenith of northern countries4 ,but though the light seems to shoot from the north southerly1 the progress of the fire is really from the south northerly1 its motion beginning in the north1 being the reason that it is there seen first4 ,for the electrical fire is never visible but when in motion1 and leaping from body to body1 or from particle to particle through the air4 ,when it passes through dense bodies it is unseen4 ,when a wire makes part of the circle1 in the explosion of the electrical phial1 the fire1 though in great quantity1 passes in the wire invisibly2 but in passing along a chain1 it becomes visible as it leaps from link to link4 ,in passing along leaf gilding it is visible3 for the leaf-gold is full of pores2 hold a leaf to the light and it appears like a net1 and the fire is seen in its leaping over the vacancies4--,and as when a long canal filled with still water is opened at one end1 in order to be discharged1 the motion of the water begins first near the opened end1 and proceeds towards the close end1 though the water itself moves from the close towards the opened end3 so the electrical fire discharged into the polar regions1 perhaps from a thousand leagues length of vaporised air1 appears first where it is first in motion1 i4 e4 in the most northern part1 and the appearance proceeds southward1 though the fire really moves northward4 ,this is supposed to account for the aurora borealis4 #da4 ,when there is great heat on the land1 in a particular region 7the sun having shone on it perhaps several days1 while the surrounding countries have been screened by clouds7 the lower air is rarefied and rises1 the cooler denser air above descends2 the clouds in that air meet from all sides1 and join over the heated place2 and if some are electrified1 others not1 lightning and thunder succeed1 and showers fall4 ,hence thunder-gusts after heats1 and cool air after gusts2 the water and the clouds that bring it1 coming from a higher and therefore a cooler region4 #db4 ,an electrical spark1 drawn from an irregular body at some distance is scarcely ever strait1 but shows crooked and waving in the air4 ,so do the flashes of lightning2 the clouds being very irregular bodies4 #dc4 ,as electrified clouds pass over a country1 high hills and high trees1 lofty towers1 spires1 masts of ships1 chimneys1 c4 as so many prominencies and points1 draw the electrical fire1 and the whole cloud discharges there4 #dd4 ,dangerous1 therefore1 is it to take shelter under a tree1 during a thunder-gust4 ,it has been fatal to many1 both men and beasts4 #de4 ,it is safer to be in the open field for another reason4 ,when the cloaths are wet1 if a flash in its way to the ground should strike your head1 it may run in the water over the surface of your body2 whereas1 if your cloaths were dry1 it would go through the body1 because the blood and other humours1 containing so much water1 are more ready conductors4 ,hence a wet rat cannot be killed by the exploding electrical bottle1 when a dry rat may#de4 #df4 ,common fire is in all bodies1 more or less1 as well as electrical fire4 ,perhaps they may be different modifications of the same element2 or they may be different elements4 ,the latter is by some suspected4 #dg4 ,if they are different things1 yet they may and do subsist together in the same body4 #dh4 ,when electrical fire strikes through a body1 it acts upon the common fire contained in it1 and puts that fire in motion2 and if there be a sufficient quantity of each kind of fire1 the body will be inflamed4 #di4 ,when the quantity of common fire in the body is small1 the quantity of the electrical fire 7or the electrical stroke7 should be greater3 if the quantity of common fire be great1 less electrical fire suffices to produce the effect4 #ej4 ,thus spirits must be heated before we can fire them by the electrical spark4#df ,if they are much heated1 a small spark will do2 if not1 the spark must be greater4 #ea4 ,till lately we could only fire warm vapours2 but now we can burn hard dry rosin4 ,and when we can procure greater electrical sparks1 we may be able to fire not only unwarmed spirits1 as lightning does1 but even wood1 by giving sufficient agitation to the common fire contained in it1 as friction we know will do4 #eb4 ,sulphureous and inflammable vapours1 arising from the earth1 are easily kindled by lightning4 ,besides what arise from the earth1 such vapours are sent out by stacks of moist hay1 corn1 or other vegetables1 which heat and reek4 ,wood1 rotting in old trees or buildings1 does the same4 ,such are therefore easily and often fired4 #ec4 ,metals are often melted by lightning1 though perhaps not from heat in the lightning1 nor altogether from agitated fire in the metals4--,for as whatever body can insinuate itself between the particles of metal1 and overcome the attraction by which they cohere 7as sundry menstrua can7 will make the solid become a fluid1 as well as fire1 yet without heating it3 so the electrical fire1 or lightning1 creating a violent repulsion between the particles of the metal it passes through1 the metal is fused4 #ed4 ,if you would1 by a violent fire1 melt off the end of a nail1 which is half driven into a door1 the heat given the whole nail1 before a part would melt1 must burn the board it sticks in2 and the melted part would burn the floor it dropped on4 ,but if a sword can be melted in the scabbard1 and money in a man's pocket by lightning1 without burning either1 it must be a cold fusion#dg4 #ee4 ,lightning rends some bodies4 ,the electrical spark will strike a hole through a quire of strong paper4 #ef4 ,if the source of lightning1 assigned in this paper1 be the true one1 there should be little thunder heard at sea far from land4 ,and accordingly some old sea-captains1 of whom enquiry has been made1 do affirm1 that the fact agrees perfectly with the hypothesis2 for that in crossing the great ocean1 they seldom meet with thunder till they come into soundings2 and that the islands far from the continent have very little of it4 ,and a curious observer1 who lived thirteen years at ,bermudas1 says1 there was less thunder there in that whole time than he has sometimes heard in a month at ,carolina4 ,,footnotes3 #dc ,an electrified bumper is a small thin glass tumbler1 nearly filled with wine1 and electrified as the bottle4 ,this when brought to the lips gives a shock1 if the party be close shaved1 and does not breath on the liquor4--,april #bi1 #agdi4 #dd ,thunder-gusts are sudden storms of thunder and lightning1 which are frequently of short duration1 but sometimes produce mischievous effects4 #de ,this was tried with a bottle1 containing about a quart4 ,it is since thought that one of the large glass jars1 mentioned in these papers1 might have killed him1 though wet4 #df ,we have since fired spirits without heating them1 when the weather is warm4 ,a little1 poured into the palm of the hand1 will be warmed sufficiently by the hand1 if the spirit be well rectified4 ,ether takes fire most readily4 #dg ,these facts1 though related in several accounts1 are now doubted2 since it has been observed that the parts of a bell-wire which fell on the floor1 being broken and partly melted by lightning1 did actually burn into the boards4 7,see ,philosophical ,transactions1 ,vol4 ,,li4 part ,i47 ,and ,mr4 ,kinnersley has found that a fine iron wire1 melted by ,electricity1 has had the same effect4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,introductory ,letter to some additional ,papers4 ,philadelphia1 ,july #bi1 #agej4 ,,sir1 ,as you first put us on electrical experiments1 by sending to our ,library ,company a tube1 with directions how to use it2 and as our honorable ,proprietary enabled us to carry those experiments to a greater height1 by his generous present of a complete electrical apparatus2 it is fit that both should know1 from time to time1 what progress we make4 ,it was in this view ,i wrote and sent you my former papers on this subject1 desiring1 that as ,i had not the honour of a direct correspondence with that bountiful benefactor to our library1 they might be communicated to him through your hands4 ,in the same view ,i write and send you this additional paper4 ,if it happens to bring you nothing new1 7which may well be1 considering the number of ingenious men in ,europe1 continually engaged in the same researches7 at least it will shew1 that the instruments put into our hands are not neglected2 and that if no valuable discoveries are made by us1 whatever the cause may be1 it is not want of industry and application4 ,i am1 ,sir1 ,your much obliged humble ,servant1 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,opinions and ,conjectures1 concerning the ,properties and ,effects of the electrical ,matter1 and the ,means of preserving ,buildings1 ,ships1 c4 from ,lightning1 arising from ,experiments and ,observations made at ,philadelphia1 #agdi4--;,golden ,fish4--,extraction of effluvial ,virtues by ,electricity impracticable4 #a4 ,the electrical matter consists of particles extremely subtile since it can permeate common matter1 even the densest metals1 with such ease and freedom as not to receive any perceptible resistance4 #b4 ,if any one should doubt whether the electrical matter passes through the substance of bodies1 or only over and along their surfaces1 a shock from an electrified large glass jar1 taken through his own body1 will probably convince him4 #c4 ,electrical matter differs from common matter in this1 that the parts of the latter mutually attract1 those of the former mutually repel each other4 ,hence the appearing divergency in a stream of electrified effluvia4 #d4 ,but though the particles of electrical matter do repel each other1 they are strongly attracted by all other matter#dh4 #e4 ,from these three things1 the extreme subtilty of the electrical matter1 the mutual repulsion of its parts1 and the strong attraction between them and other matter1 arise this effect1 that1 when a quantity of electrical matter is applied to a mass of common matter1 of any bigness or length1 within our observation 7which hath not already got its quantity7 it is immediately and equally diffused through the whole4 #f4 ,thus1 common matter is a kind of spunge to the electrical fluid4 ,and as a spunge would receive no water1 if the parts of water were not smaller than the pores of the spunge2 and even then but slowly1 if there were not a mutual attraction between those parts and the parts of the spunge2 and would still imbibe it faster1 if the mutual attraction among the parts of the water did not impede1 some force being required to separate them2 and fastest1 if1 instead of attraction1 there were a mutual repulsion among those parts1 which would act in conjunction with the attraction of the spunge3 so is the case between the electrical and common matter4 #g4 ,but in common matter there is 7generally7 as much of the electrical as it will contain within its substance4 ,if more is added1 it lies without upon the surface1 and forms what we call an electrical atmosphere2 and then the body is said to be electrified4 #h4 ,it is supposed1 that all kinds of common matter do not attract and retain the electrical1 with equal strength and force1 for reasons to be given hereafter4 ,and that those called electrics per se1 as glass1 c4 attract and retain it strongest1 and contain the greatest quantity4 #i4 ,we know that the electrical fluid is in common matter1 because we can pump it out by the globe or tube4 ,we know that common matter has near as much as it can contain1 because1 when we add a little more to any portion of it1 the additional quantity does not enter1 but forms an electrical atmosphere4 ,and we know that common matter has not 7generally7 more than it can contain1 otherwise all loose portions of it would repel each other1 as they constantly do when they have electric atmospheres4 #aj4 ,the beneficial uses of this electric fluid in the creation we are not yet well acquainted with1 though doubtless such there are1 and those very considerable2 but we may see some pernicious consequences that would attend a much greater proportion of it4 ,for1 had this globe we live on1 as much of it in proportion as we can give to a globe of iron1 wood1 or the like1 the particles of dust and other light matters that get loose from it1 would1 by virtue of their separate electrical atmospheres1 not only repel each other1 but be repelled from the earth1 and not easily be brought to unite with it again2 whence our air would continually be more and more clogged with foreign matter1 and grow unfit for respiration4 ,this affords another occasion of adoring that wisdom which has made all things by weight and measure6 #aa4 ,if a piece of common matter be supposed entirely free from electrical matter1 and a single particle of the latter be brought nigh1 it will be attracted1 and enter the body1 and take place in the centre1 or where the attraction is every way equal4 ,if more particles enter1 they take their places where the balance is equal between the attraction of the common matter1 and their own mutual repulsion4 ,it is supposed they form triangles1 whose sides shorten as their number encreases2 till the common matter has drawn in so many1 that its whole power of compressing those triangles by attraction1 is equal to their whole power of expanding themselves by repulsion2 and then will such piece of matter receive no more4 #ab4 ,when part of this natural proportion of electrical fluid is taken out of a piece of common matter1 the triangles formed by the remainder1 are supposed to widen by the mutual repulsion of the parts1 until they occupy the whole piece4 #ac4 ,when the quantity of electrical fluid1 taken from a piece of common matter1 is restored again1 it enters1 the expanded triangles1 being again compressed till there is room for the whole4 #ad4 ,to explain this3 take two apples1 or two balls of wood or other matter1 each having its own natural quantity of the electrical fluid4 ,suspend them by silk lines from the cieling4 ,apply the wire of a well-charged vial1 held in your hand1 to one of them 7,a7 ,fig4 #g1 and it will receive from the wire a quantity of the electrical fluid2 but will not imbibe it1 being already full4 ,the fluid therefore will flow round its surface1 and form an electrical atmosphere4 ,bring ,a into contact with ,b1 and half the electrical fluid is communicated1 so that each has now an electrical atmosphere1 and therefore they repel each other4 ,take away these atmospheres1 by touching the balls1 and leave them in their natural state3 then1 having fixed a stick of sealing-wax to the middle of the vial to hold it by1 apply the wire to ,a1 at the same time the coating touches ,b4 ,thus will a quantity of the electrical fluid be drawn out of ,b1 and thrown on ,a4 ,so that ,a will have a redundance of this fluid1 which forms an atmosphere round1 and ,b an exactly equal deficiency4 ,now1 bring these balls again into contact1 and the electrical atmosphere will not be divided between ,a and ,b1 into two smaller atmospheres as before2 for ,b will drink up the whole atmosphere of ,a1 and both will be found again in their natural state4 #ae4 ,the form of the electrical atmosphere is that of the body it surrounds4 ,this shape may be rendered visible in a still air1 by raising a smoke from dry rosin dropt into a hot tea-spoon under the electrified body1 which will be attracted1 and spread itself equally on all sides1 covering and concealing the body#di4 ,and this form it takes1 because it is attracted by all parts of the surface of the body1 though it cannot enter the substance already replete4 ,without this attraction1 it would not remain round the body1 but dissipate in the air4 #af4 ,the atmosphere of electrical particles surrounding an electrified sphere1 is not more disposed to leave it1 or more easily drawn off from any one part of the sphere than another1 because it is equally attracted by every part4 ,but that is not the case with bodies of any other figure4 ,from a cube it is more easily drawn at the corners than at the plane sides1 and so from the angles of a body of any other form1 and still most easily from the angle that is most acute4 ,thus1 if a body shaped as ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 ,d1 ,e1 in ,fig4 #h4 be electrified1 or have an electrical atmosphere communicated to it1 and we consider every side as a base on which the particles rest1 and by which they are attracted1 one may see1 by imagining a line from ,a to ,f1 and another from ,e to ,g1 that the portion of the atmosphere included in ,f1 ,a1 ,e1 ,g1 has the line ,a1 ,e1 for its basis4 ,so the portion of atmosphere included in ,h1 ,a1 ,b1 ,i1 has the line ,a ,b for its basis4 ,and likewise the portion included in ,k1 ,b1 ,c1 ,l1 has ,b1 ,c1 to rest on2 and so on the other side of the figure4 ,now if you would draw off this atmosphere with any blunt smooth body1 and approach the middle of the side ,a1 ,b1 you must come very near1 before the force of your attracter exceeds the force or power with which that side holds its atmosphere4 ,but there is a small portion between ,i1 ,b1 ,k1 that has less of the surface to rest on1 and to be attracted by1 than the neighbouring portions1 while at the same time there is a mutual repulsion between its particles1 and the particles of those portions1 therefore here you can get it with more ease1 or at a greater distance4 ,between ,f1 ,a1 ,h1 there is a larger portion that has yet a less surface to rest on1 and to attract it2 here1 therefore1 you can get it away still more easily4 ,but easiest of all between ,l1 ,c1 ,m1 where the quantity is largest1 and the surface to attract and keep it back the least4 ,when you have drawn away one of these angular portions of the fluid1 another succeeds in its place1 from the nature of fluidity1 and the mutual repulsion before-mentioned2 and so the atmosphere continues flowing off at such angle1 like a stream1 till no more is remaining4 ,the extremities of the portions of atmosphere over these angular parts1 are likewise at a greater distance from the electrified body1 as may be seen by the inspection of the above figure2 the point of the atmosphere of the angle ,c1 being much farther from ,c1 than any other part of the atmosphere over the lines ,c1 ,b1 or ,b1 ,a3 and1 besides the distance arising from the nature of the figure1 where the attraction is less1 the particles will naturally expand to a greater distance by their mutual repulsion4 ,on these accounts we suppose electrified bodies discharge their atmospheres upon unelectrified bodies more easily1 and at a greater distance from their angles and points than from their smooth sides4--,those points will also discharge into the air1 when the body has too great an electrical atmosphere1 without bringing any non-electric near1 to receive what is thrown off3 ,for the air1 though an electric per se1 yet has always more or less water and other non-electric matters mixed with it3 and these attract and receive what is so discharged4 #ag4 ,but points have a property1 by which they draw on as well as throw off the electrical fluid1 at greater distances than blunt bodies can4 ,that is1 as the pointed part of an electrified body will discharge the atmosphere of that body1 or communicate it farthest to another body1 so the point of an unelectrified body will draw off the electrical atmosphere from an electrified body1 farther than a blunter part of the same unelectrified body will do4 ,thus1 a pin held by the head1 and the point presented to an electrified body1 will draw off its atmosphere at a foot distance2 where1 if the head were presented instead of the point1 no such effect would follow4 ,to understand this1 we may consider1 that if a person standing on the floor would draw off the electrical atmosphere from an electrified body1 an iron crow and a blunt knitting-needle held alternately in his hand1 and presented for that purpose1 do not draw with different forces in proportion to their different masses4 ,for the man1 and what he holds in his hand1 be it large or small1 are connected with the common mass of unelectrified matter2 and the force with which he draws is the same in both cases1 it consisting in the different proportion of electricity in the electrified body1 and that common mass4 ,but the force with which the electrified body retains its atmosphere by attracting it1 is proportioned to the surface over which the particles are placed2 i4 e4 four square inches of that surface retain their atmosphere with four times the force that one square inch retains its atmosphere4 ,and as in plucking the hairs from the horse's tail1 a degree of strength not sufficient to pull away a handful at once1 could yet easily strip it hair by hair2 so a blunt body presented cannot draw off a number of particles at once1 but a pointed one1 with no greater force1 takes them away easily1 particle by particle4 #ah4 ,these explanations of the power and operation of points1 when they first occurred to me1 and while they first floated in my mind1 appeared perfectly satisfactory2 but now ,i have written them1 and considered them more closely1 ,i must own ,i have some doubts about them2 yet1 as ,i have at present nothing better to offer in their stead1 ,i do not cross them out3 for1 even a bad solution read1 and its faults discovered1 has often given rise to a good one1 in the mind of an ingenious reader4 #ai4 ,nor is it of much importance to us to know the manner in which nature executes her laws2 it is enough if we know the laws themselves4 ,it is of real use to know that china left in the air unsupported will fall and break2 but how it comes to fall and why it breaks are matters of speculation4 ,it is a pleasure indeed to know them1 but we can preserve our china without it4 #bj4 ,thus in the present case1 to know this power of points may possibly be of some use to mankind1 though we should never be able to explain it4 ,the following experiments1 as well as those in my first paper1 show this power4 ,i have a large prime conductor1 made of several thin sheets of clothier's pasteboard1 formed into a tube1 near ten feet long and a foot diameter4 ,it is covered with ,dutch embossed-paper1 almost totally gilt4 ,this large metallic surface supports a much greater electrical atmosphere than a rod of iron of #ej times the weight would do4 ,it is suspended by silk lines1 and when charged will strike1 at near two inches distance1 a pretty hard stroke1 so as to make ones knuckle ach4 ,let a person standing on the floor present the point of a needle at #ab or more inches distance from it1 and while the needle is so presented1 the conductor cannot be charged1 the point drawing off the fire as fast as it is thrown on by the electrical globe4 ,let it be charged1 and then present the point at the same distance1 and it will suddenly be discharged4 ,in the dark you may see the light on the point1 when the experiment is made4 ,and if the person holding the point stands upon wax1 he will be electrified by receiving the fire at that distance4 ,attempt to draw off the electricity with a blunt body1 as a bolt of iron round at the end1 and smooth 7a silversmith's iron punch1 inch thick1 is what ,i use7 and you must bring it within the distance of three inches before you can do it1 and then it is done with a stroke and crack4 ,as the pasteboard tube hangs loose on silk lines1 when you approach it with the punch-iron1 it likewise will move towards the punch1 being attracted while it is charged2 but if1 at the same instant1 a point be presented as before1 it retires again1 for the point discharges it4 ,take a pair of large brass scales1 of two or more feet beam1 the cords of the scales being silk4 ,suspend the beam by a pack-thread from the cieling1 so that the bottom of the scales may be about a foot from the floor3 the scales will move round in a circle by the untwisting of the pack-thread4 ,set the iron punch on the end upon the floor1 in such a place as that the scales may pass over it in making their circle3 then electrify one scale1 by applying the wire of a charged phial to it4 ,as they move round1 you see that scale draw nigher to the floor1 and dip more when it comes over the punch2 and if that be placed at a proper distance1 the scale will snap and discharge its fire into it4 ,but if a needle be stuck on the end of the punch1 its point upwards1 the scale1 instead of drawing nigh to the punch1 and snapping1 discharges its fire silently through the point1 and rises higher from the punch4 ,nay1 even if the needle be placed upon the floor near the punch1 its point upwards1 the end of the punch1 though so much higher than the needle1 will not attract the scale and receive its fire1 for the needle will get it and convey it away1 before it comes nigh enough for the punch to act4 ,and this is constantly observable in these experiments1 that the greater quantity of electricity on the pasteboard-tube1 the farther it strikes or discharges its fire1 and the point likewise will draw it off at a still greater distance4 ,now if the fire of electricity and that of lightning be the same1 as ,i have endeavoured to shew at large1 in a former paper1 this pasteboard tube and these scales may represent electrified clouds4 ,if a tube of only ten feet long will strike and discharge its fire on the punch at two or three inches distance1 an electrified cloud of perhaps #aj1jjj acres may strike and discharge on the earth at a proportionably greater distance4 ,the horizontal motion of the scales over the floor1 may represent the motion of the clouds over the earth2 and the erect iron punch1 a hill or high building2 and then we see how electrified clouds passing over hills or high buildings at too great a height to strike1 may be attracted lower till within their striking distance4 ,and lastly1 if a needle fixed on the punch with its point upright1 or even on the floor below the punch1 will draw the fire from the scale silently at a much greater than the striking distance1 and so prevent its descending towards the punch2 or if in its course it would have come nigh enough to strike1 yet being first deprived of its fire it cannot1 and the punch is thereby secured from the stroke2 ,i say1 if these things are so1 may not the knowledge of this power of points be of use to mankind1 in preserving houses1 churches1 ships1 c4 from the stroke of lightning1 by directing us to fix on the highest parts of those edifices1 upright rods of iron made sharp as a needle1 and gilt to prevent rusting1 and from the foot of those rods a wire down the outside of the building into the ground1 or down round one of the shrouds of a ship1 and down her side till it reaches the water8 ,would not these pointed rods probably draw the electrical fire silently out of a cloud before it came nigh enough to strike1 and thereby secure us from that most sudden and terrible mischief8 #ba4 ,to determine the question1 whether the clouds that contain lightning are electrified or not1 ,i would propose an experiment to be tried where it may be done conveniently4 ,on the top of some high tower or steeple1 place a kind of centry-box 7as in ,,fig4 #i7 big enough to contain a man and an electrical stand4 ,from the middle of the stand let an iron rod rise and pass bending out of the door1 and then upright #bj or #cj feet1 pointed very sharp at the end4 ,if the electrical stand be kept clean and dry1 a man standing on it1 when such clouds are passing low1 might be electrified and afford sparks1 the rod drawing fire to him from a cloud4 ,if any danger to the man should be apprehended 7though ,i think there would be none7 let him stand on the floor of his box1 and now and then bring near to the rod the loop of a wire that has one end fastened to the leads1 he holding it by a wax handle2 so the sparks1 if the rod is electrified1 will strike from the rod to the wire1 and not affect him4 #bb4 ,before ,i leave this subject of lightning1 ,i may mention some other similarities between the effects of that1 and those of electricity4 ,lightning has often been known to strike people blind4 ,a pigeon that we struck dead to appearance by the electrical shock1 recovering life1 drooped about the yard several days1 eat nothing1 though crumbs were thrown to it1 but declined and died4 ,we did not think of its being deprived of sight2 but afterwards a pullet1 struck dead in like manner1 being recovered by repeatedly blowing into its lungs1 when set down on the floor1 ran headlong against the wall1 and on examination appeared perfectly blind4 ,hence we concluded that the pigeon also had been absolutely blinded by the shock4 ,the biggest animal we have yet killed1 or tried to kill1 with the electrical stroke1 was a well-grown pullet4 #bc4 ,reading in the ingenious ,dr4 ,miles's account of the thunder-storm at ,stretham1 the effect of the lightning in stripping off all the paint that had covered a gilt moulding of a pannel of wainscot1 without hurting the rest of the paint1 ,i had a mind to lay a coat of paint over the filletting of gold on the cover of a book1 and try the effect of a strong electrical flash sent through that gold from a charged sheet of glass4 ,but having no paint at hand1 ,i pasted a narrow strip of paper over it2 and when dry1 sent the flash through the gilding1 by which the paper was torn off from end to end1 with such force1 that it was broke in several places1 and in others brought away part of the grain of the ,turky-leather in which it was bound2 and convinced me1 that had it been painted1 the paint would have been stript off in the same manner with that on the wainscot at ,stretham4 #bd4 ,lightning melts metals1 and ,i hinted in my paper on that subject1 that ,i suspected it to be a cold fusion2 ,i do not mean a fusion by force of cold1 but a fusion without heat#ej4 ,we have also melted gold1 silver1 and copper1 in small quantities1 by the electrical flash4 ,the manner is this3 ,take leaf-gold1 leaf-silver1 or leaf-gilt copper1 commonly called leaf-brass1 or ,dutch gold2 cut off from the leaf long narrow strips1 the breadth of a straw4 ,place one of these strips between two strips of smooth glass that are about the width of your finger4 ,if one strip of gold1 the length of the leaf1 be not long enough for the glass1 add another to the end of it1 so that you may have a little part hanging out loose at each end of the glass4 ,bind the pieces of glass together from end to end with strong silk thread2 then place it so as to be part of an electrical circuit1 7the ends of gold hanging out being of use to join with the other parts of the circuit7 and send the flash through it1 from a large electrified jar or sheet of glass4 ,then if your strips of glass remain whole1 you will see that the gold is missing in several places1 and instead of it a metallic stain on both the glasses2 the stains on the upper and under glass exactly similar in the minutest stroke1 as may be seen by holding them to the light2 the metal appeared to have been not only melted1 but even vitrified1 or otherwise so driven into the pores of the glass1 as to be protected by it from the action of the strongest aqua fortis1 or aqua regia4 ,i send you enclosed two little pieces of glass with these metallic stains upon them1 which cannot be removed without taking part of the glass with them4 ,sometimes the stain spreads a little wider than the breadth of the leaf1 and looks brighter at the edge1 as by inspecting closely you may observe in these4 ,sometimes the glass breaks to pieces2 once the upper glass broke into a thousand pieces1 looking like coarse salt4 ,the pieces ,i send you were stained with ,dutch gold4 ,true gold makes a darker stain1 somewhat reddish2 silver1 a greenish stain4 ,we once took two pieces of thick looking-glass1 as broad as a ,gunter's scale1 and six inches long2 and placing leaf-gold between them1 put them between two smoothly-plained pieces of wood1 and fixed them tight in a book-binder's small press2 yet though they were so closely confined1 the force of the electrical shock shivered the glass into many pieces4 ,the gold was melted1 and stained into the glass1 as usual4 ,the circumstances of the breaking of the glass differ much in making the experiment1 and sometimes it does not break at all3 but this is constant1 that the stains in the upper and under pieces are exact counterparts of each other4 ,and though ,i have taken up the pieces of glass between my fingers immediately after this melting1 ,i never could perceive the least warmth in them4 #be4 ,in one of my former papers1 ,i mentioned1 that gilding on a book1 though at first it communicated the shock perfectly well1 yet failed after a few experiments1 which we could not account for4 ,we have since found that one strong shock breaks the continuity of the gold in the filletting1 and makes it look rather like dust of gold1 abundance of its parts being broken and driven off2 and it will seldom conduct above one strong shock4 ,perhaps this may be the reason3 ,when there is not a perfect continuity in the circuit1 the fire must leap over the vacancies3 there is a certain distance which it is able to leap over according to its strength2 if a number of small vacancies1 though each be very minute1 taken together exceed that distance1 it cannot leap over them1 and so the shock is prevented4 #bf4 ,from the before-mentioned law of electricity1 that points as they are more or less acute1 draw on and throw off the electrical fluid with more or less power1 and at greater or less distances1 and in larger or smaller quantities in the same time1 we may see how to account for the situation of the leaf of gold suspended between two plates1 the upper one continually electrified1 the under one in a person's hand standing on the floor4 ,when the upper plate is electrified1 the leaf is attracted1 and raised towards it1 and would fly to that plate1 were it not for its own points4 ,the corner that happens to be uppermost when the leaf is rising1 being a sharp point1 from the extreme thinness of the gold1 draws and receives at a distance a sufficient quantity of the electric fluid to give itself an electric atmosphere1 by which its progress to the upper plate is stopped1 and it begins to be repelled from that plate1 and would be driven back to the under plate1 but that its lowest corner is likewise a point1 and throws off or discharges the overplus of the leaf's atmosphere1 as fast as the upper corner draws it on4 ,were these two points perfectly equal in acuteness1 the leaf would take place exactly in the middle space1 for its weight is a trifle compared to the power acting on it3 but it is generally nearest the unelectrified plate1 because1 when the leaf is offered to the electrified plate1 at a distance1 the sharpest point is commonly first affected and raised towards it2 so that point1 from its greater acuteness1 receiving the fluid faster than its opposite can discharge it at equal distances1 it retires from the electrified plate1 and draws nearer to the unelectrified plate1 till it comes to a distance where the discharge can be exactly equal to the receipt1 the latter being lessened1 and the former encreased2 and there it remains as long as the globe continues to supply fresh electrical matter4 ,this will appear plain1 when the difference of acuteness in the corners is made very great4 ,cut a piece of ,dutch gold1 7which is fittest for these experiments on account of its great strength7 into the form of ,,fig4 #aj1 the upper corner a right angle1 the two next obtuse angles1 and the lowest a very acute one2 and bring this on your plate under the electrified plate1 in such a manner as that the right-angled part may be first raised 7which is done by covering the acute part with the hollow of your hand7 and you will see this leaf take place much nearer to the upper than the under plate2 because without being nearer1 it cannot receive so fast at its right-angled point1 as it can discharge at its acute one4 ,turn this leaf with the acute part uppermost1 and then it takes place nearest the unelectrified plate2 because1 otherwise1 it receives faster at its acute point1 than it can discharge at its right-angled one4 ,thus the difference of distance is always proportioned to the difference of acuteness4 ,take care in cutting your leaf1 to leave no little ragged particles on the edges1 which sometimes form points where you would not have them4 ,you may make this figure so acute below1 and blunt above1 as to need no under plate1 it discharging fast enough into the air4 ,when it is made narrower1 as the figure between the pricked lines1 we call it the golden fish1 from its manner of acting4 ,for if you take it by the tail1 and hold it at a foot or greater horizontal distance from the prime conductor1 it will1 when let go1 fly to it with a brisk but wavering motion1 like that of an eel through the water2 it will then take place under the prime conductor1 at perhaps a quarter or half an inch distance1 and keep a continual shaking of its tail like a fish1 so that it seems animated4 ,turn its tail towards the prime conductor1 and then it flies to your finger1 and seems to nibble it4 ,and if you hold a plate under it at six or eight inches distance1 and cease turning the globe when the electrical atmosphere of the conductor grows small1 it will descend to the plate and swim back again several times with the same fish-like motion1 greatly to the entertainment of spectators4 ,by a little practice in blunting or sharpening the heads or tails of these figures1 you may make them take place as desired1 nearer or farther from the electrified plate4 #bg4 ,it is said in ,section #h1 of this paper1 that all kinds of common matter are supposed not to attract the electrical fluid with equal strength2 and that those called electrics per se1 as glass1 c4 attract and retain it strongest1 and contain the greatest quantity4 ,this latter position may seem a paradox to some1 being contrary to the hitherto received opinion2 and therefore ,i shall now endeavour to explain it4 #bh4 ,in order to this1 let it first be considered1 that we cannot by any means we are yet acquainted with1 force the electrical fluid through glass4 ,i know it is commonly thought that it easily pervades glass2 and the experiment of a feather suspended by a thread1 in a bottle hermetically sealed1 yet moved by bringing a rubbed tube near the outside of the bottle1 is alleged to prove it4 ,but1 if the electrical fluid so easily pervades glass1 how does the phial become charged 7as we term it7 when we hold it in our hands8 ,would not the fire1 thrown in by the wire1 pass through to our hands1 and so escape into the floor8 ,would not the bottle in that case be left just as we found it1 uncharged1 as we know a metal bottle so attempted to be charged would be8 ,indeed1 if there be the least crack1 the minutest solution of continuity in the glass1 though it remains so tight that nothing else we know of will pass1 yet the extremely subtile electric fluid flies through such a crack with the greatest freedom1 and such a bottle we know can never be charged3 what then makes the difference between such a bottle and one that is sound1 but this1 that the fluid can pass through the one1 and not through the other#ea8 #bi4 ,it is true1 there is an experiment that at first sight would be apt to satisfy a slight observer1 that the fire1 thrown into the bottle by the wire1 does really pass through the glass4 ,it is this3 place the bottle on a glass stand1 under the prime conductor1 suspend a bullet by a chain from the prime conductor1 till it comes within a quarter of an inch right over the wire of the bottle2 place your knuckle on the glass stand1 at just the same distance from the coating of the bottle1 as the bullet is from its wire4 ,now let the globe be turned1 and you see a spark strike from the bullet to the wire of the bottle1 and the same instant you see and feel an exactly equal spark striking from the coating on your knuckle1 and so on1 spark for spark4 ,this looks as if the whole received by the bottle was again discharged from it4 ,and yet the bottle by this means is charged#eb6 ,and therefore the fire that thus leaves the bottle1 though the same in quantity1 cannot be the very same fire that entered at the wire1 for if it were1 the bottle would remain uncharged4 #cj4 ,if the fire that so leaves the bottle be not the same that is thrown in through the wire1 it must be fire that subsisted in the bottle 7that is1 in the glass of the bottle7 before the operation began4 #ca4 ,if so1 there must be a great quantity in glass1 because a great quantity is thus discharged1 even from very thin glass4 #cb4 ,that this electrical fluid or fire is strongly attracted by glass1 we know from the quickness and violence with which it is resumed by the part that had been deprived of it1 when there is an opportunity4 ,and by this1 that we cannot from a mass of glass1 draw a quantity of electric fire1 or electrify the whole mass minus1 as we can a mass of metal4 ,we cannot lessen or increase its whole quantity1 for the quantity it has it holds2 and it has as much as it can hold4 ,its pores are filled with it as full as the mutual repellency of the particles will admit2 and what is already in1 refuses1 or strongly repels1 any additional quantity4 ,nor have we any way of moving the electrical fluid in glass1 but one2 that is1 by covering part of the two surfaces of thin glass with non-electrics1 and then throwing an additional quantity of this fluid on one surface1 which spreading in the non-electric1 and being bound by it to that surface1 acts by its repelling force on the particles of the electrical fluid contained in the other surface1 and drives them out of the glass into the non-electric on that side from whence they are discharged1 and then those added on the charged side can enter4 ,but when this is done1 there is no more in the glass1 nor less than before1 just as much having left it on one side as it received on the other4 #cc4 ,i feel a want of terms here1 and doubt much whether ,i shall be able to make this part intelligible4 ,by the word surface1 in this case1 ,i do not mean mere length and breadth without thickness2 but when ,i speak of the upper or under surface of a piece of glass1 the outer or inner surface of the phial1 ,i mean length1 breadth1 and half the thickness1 and beg the favour of being so understood4 ,now ,i suppose1 that glass in its first principles1 and in the furnace1 has no more of this electrical fluid than other common matter3 that when it is blown1 as it cools1 and the particles of common fire leave it1 its pores become a vacuum3 that the component parts of glass are extremely small and fine1 ,i guess from its never showing a rough face when it breaks1 but always a polish2 and from the smallness of its particles ,i suppose the pores between them must be exceedingly small1 which is the reason that aqua-fortis1 nor any other menstruum we have1 can enter to separate them and dissolve the substance2 nor is any fluid we know of1 fine enough to enter1 except common fire1 and the electric fluid4 ,now the departing fire1 leaving a vacuum1 as aforesaid1 between these pores1 which air nor water are fine enough to enter and fill1 the electric fluid 7which is every where ready in what we call the non-electrics1 and in the non-electric mixtures that are in the air7 is attracted in2 yet does not become fixed with the substance of the glass1 but subsists there as water in a porous stone1 retained only by the attraction of the fixed parts1 itself still loose and a fluid4 ,but ,i suppose farther1 that in the cooling of the glass1 its texture becomes closest in the middle1 and forms a kind of partition1 in which the pores are so narrow1 that the particles of the electrical fluid1 which enter both surfaces at the same time1 cannot go through1 or pass and repass from one surface to the other1 and so mix together2 yet1 though the particles of electric fluid1 imbibed by each surface1 cannot themselves pass through to those of the other1 their repellency can1 and by this means they act on one another4 ,the particles of the electric fluid have a mutual repellency1 but by the power of attraction in the glass they are condensed or forced nearer to each other4 ,when the glass has received1 and1 by its attraction1 forced closer together so much of this electric fluid1 as that the power of attracting and condensing in the one1 is equal to the power of expansion in the other1 it can imbibe no more1 and that remains its constant whole quantity2 but each surface would receive more1 if the repellency of what is in the opposite surface did not resist its entrance4 ,the quantities of this fluid in each surface being equal1 their repelling action on each other is equal2 and therefore those of one surface cannot drive out those of the other2 but1 if a greater quantity is forced into one surface than the glass would naturally draw in1 this increases the repelling power on that side1 and overpowering the attraction on the other1 drives out part of the fluid that had been imbibed by that surface1 if there be any non-electric ready to receive it3 such there is in all cases where glass is electrified to give a shock4 ,the surface that has been thus emptied1 by having its electrical fluid driven out1 resumes again an equal quantity with violence1 as soon as the glass has an opportunity to discharge that over quantity more than it could retain by attraction in its other surface1 by the additional repellency of which the vacuum had been occasioned4 ,for experiments favouring 7if ,i may not say confirming7 this hypothesis1 ,i must1 to avoid repetition1 beg leave to refer you back to what is said of the electrical phial in my former papers4 #cd4 ,let us now see how it will account for several other appearances4--,glass1 a body extremely elastic1 7and perhaps its elasticity may be owing in some degree to the subsisting of so great a quantity of this repelling fluid in its pores7 must1 when rubbed1 have its rubbed surface somewhat stretched1 or its solid parts drawn a little farther asunder1 so that the vacancies in which the electrical fluid resides1 become larger1 affording room for more of that fluid1 which is immediately attracted into it from the cushion or hand rubbing1 they being supplied from the common stock4 ,but the instant the parts of the glass so opened and filled1 have passed the friction1 they close again1 and force the additional quantity out upon the surface1 where it must rest till that part comes round to the cushion again1 unless some non-electric 7as the prime conductor1 first presents to receive it#ec74 ,but if the inside of the globe be lined with a non-electric1 the additional repellency of the electrical fluid1 thus collected by friction on the rubbed part of the globe's outer surface1 drives an equal quantity out of the inner surface into that non-electric lining1 which receiving it1 and carrying it away from the rubbed part into the common mass1 through the axis of the globe1 and frame of the machine1 the new collected electrical fluid can enter and remain in the outer surface1 and none of it 7or a very little7 will be received by the prime conductor4 ,as this charged part of the globe comes round to the cushion again1 the outer surface delivers its overplus fire into the cushion1 the opposite inner surface receiving at the same time an equal quantity from the floor4 ,every electrician knows that a globe wet within will afford little or no fire1 but the reason has not before been attempted to be given1 that ,i know of4 #cd4 ,so if a tube lined with a non-electric be rubbed#ed1 little or no fire is obtained from it2 what is collected from the hand1 in the downward rubbing stroke1 entering the pores of the glass1 and driving an equal quantity out of the inner surface into the non-electric lining3 and the hand in passing up to take a second stroke1 takes out again what had been thrown into the outer surface1 and then the inner surface receives back again what it had given to the non-electric lining4 ,thus the particles of electrical fluid belonging to the inside surface go in and out of their pores every stroke given to the tube4 ,put a wire into the tube1 the inward end in contact with the non-electric lining1 so it will represent the ,leyden bottle4 ,let a second person touch the wire while you rub1 and the fire driven out of the inward surface when you give the stroke1 will pass through him into the common mass1 and return through him when the inner surface resumes its quantity1 and therefore this new kind of ,leyden bottle cannot be so charged4 ,but thus it may3 after every stroke1 before you pass your hand up to make another1 let a second person apply his finger to the wire1 take the spark1 and then withdraw his finger2 and so on till he has drawn a number of sparks2 thus will the inner surface be exhausted1 and the outer surface charged2 then wrap a sheet of gilt paper close round the outer surface1 and grasping it in your hand you may receive a shock by applying the finger of the other hand to the wire3 for now the vacant pores in the inner surface resume their quantity1 and the overcharged pores in the outer surface discharge that overplus2 the equilibrium being restored through your body1 which could not be restored through the glass#ee4 ,if the tube be exhausted of air1 a non-electric lining1 in contact with the wire1 is not necessary2 for in vacuo the electrical fire will fly freely from the inner surface1 without a non-electric conductor3 but air resists in motion2 for being itself an electric per se1 it does not attract it1 having already its quantity4 ,so the air never draws off an electric atmosphere from any body1 but in proportion to the non-electrics mixed with it3 it rather keeps such an atmosphere confined1 which1 from the mutual repulsion of its particles1 tends to dissipation1 and would immediately dissipate in vacuo4--,and thus the experiment of the feather inclosed in a glass vessel hermetically sealed1 but moving on the approach of the rubbed tube1 is explained4 ,when an additional quantity of the electrical fluid is applied to the side of the vessel by the atmosphere of the tube1 a quantity is repelled and driven out of the inner surface of that side into the vessel1 and there affects the feather1 returning again into its pores1 when the tube with its atmosphere is withdrawn2 not that the particles of that atmosphere did themselves pass through the glass to the feather4 ,and every other appearance ,i have yet seen1 in which glass and electricity are concerned1 are1 ,i think1 explained with equal ease by the same hypothesis4 ,yet1 perhaps1 it may not be a true one1 and ,i shall be obliged to him that affords me a better4 #ce4 ,thus ,i take the difference between non-electrics1 and glass1 an electric per se1 to consist in these two particulars4 #ast1 ,that a non-electric easily suffers a change in the quantity of the electric fluid it contains4 ,you may lessen its whole quantity1 by drawing out a part1 which the whole body will again resume2 but of glass you can only lessen the quantity contained in one of its surfaces2 and not that1 but by supplying an equal quantity at the same time to the other surface3 so that the whole glass may always have the same quantity in the two surfaces1 their two different quantities being added together4 ,and this can only be done in glass that is thin2 beyond a certain thickness we have yet no power that can make this change4 ,and1 #b;dly1 that the electric fire freely removes from place to place1 in and through the substance of a non-electric1 but not so through the substance of glass4 ,if you offer a quantity to one end of a long rod of metal1 it receives it1 and when it enters1 every particle that was before in the rod pushes its neighbour quite to the farther end1 where the overplus is discharged2 and this instantaneously where the rod is part of the circle in the experiment of the shock4 ,but glass1 from the smallness of its pores1 or stronger attraction of what it contains1 refuses to admit so free a motion3 a glass rod will not conduct a shock1 nor will the thinnest glass suffer any particle entering one of its surfaces to pass through to the other4 #cf4 ,hence we see the impossibility of success in the experiments proposed1 to draw out the effluvial virtues of a non-electric1 as cinnamon1 for instance1 and mixing them with the electric fluid1 to convey them with that into the body1 by including it in the globe1 and then applying friction1 c4 ,for though the effluvia of cinnamon1 and the electric fluid should mix within the globe1 they would never come out together through the pores of the glass1 and so go to the prime conductor2 for the electric fluid itself cannot come through2 and the prime conductor is always supplied from the cushion1 and that from the floor4 ,and besides1 when the globe is filled with cinnamon1 or other non-electric1 no electric fluid can be obtained from its outer surface1 for the reason before-mentioned4 ,i have tried another way1 which ,i thought more likely to obtain a mixture of the electric and other effluvia together1 if such a mixture had been possible4 ,i placed a glass plate under my cushion1 to cut off the communication between the cushion and floor2 then brought a small chain from the cushion into a glass of oil of turpentine1 and carried another chain from the oil of turpentine to the floor1 taking care that the chain from the cushion to the glass1 touched no part of the frame of the machine4 ,another chain was fixed to the prime conductor1 and held in the hand of a person to be electrified4 ,the ends of the two chains in the glass were near an inch distant from each other1 the oil of turpentine between4 ,now the globe being turned could draw no fire from the floor through the machine1 the communication that way being cut off by the thick glass plate under the cushion3 it must then draw it through the chains whose ends were dipped in the oil of turpentine4 ,and as the oil of turpentine1 being an electric per se1 would not conduct1 what came up from the floor was obliged to jump from the end of one chain to the end of the other1 through the substance of that oil1 which we could see in large sparks1 and so it had a fair opportunity of seizing some of the finest particles of the oil in its passage1 and carrying them off with it3 but no such effect followed1 nor could ,i perceive the least difference in the smell of the electric effluvia thus collected1 from what it has when collected otherwise1 nor does it otherwise affect the body of a person electrised4 ,i likewise put into a phial1 instead of water1 a strong purgative liquid1 and then charged the phial1 and took repeated shocks from it1 in which case every particle of the electrical fluid must1 before it went through my body1 have first gone through the liquid when the phial is charging1 and returned through it when discharging1 yet no other effect followed than if it had been charged with water4 ,i have also smelt the electric fire when drawn through gold1 silver1 copper1 lead1 iron1 wood1 and the human body1 and could perceive no difference3 the odour is always the same1 where the spark does not burn what it strikes2 and therefore ,i imagine it does not take that smell from any quality of the bodies it passes through4 ,and indeed1 as that smell so readily leaves the electric matter1 and adheres to the knuckle receiving the sparks1 and to other things2 ,i suspect that it never was connected with it1 but arises instantaneously from something in the air acted upon by it4 ,for if it was fine enough to come with the electric fluid through the body of one person1 why should it stop on the skin of another8 ,but ,i shall never have done1 if ,i tell you all my conjectures1 thoughts1 and imaginations on the nature and operations of this electric fluid1 and relate the variety of little experiments we have tried4 ,i have already made this paper too long1 for which ,i must crave pardon1 not having now time to abridge it4 ,i shall only add1 that as it has been observed here that spirits will fire by the electric spark in the summer time1 without heating them1 when ,fahrenheit's thermometer is above #gj2 so when colder1 if the operator puts a small flat bottle of spirits in his bosom1 or a close pocket1 with the spoon1 some little time before he uses them1 the heat of his body will communicate warmth more than sufficient for the purpose4 ,,additional ,,experiments3 ,proving that the ,leyden ,bottle has no more electrical ,fire in it when charged1 than before3 nor less when discharged3 that1 in discharging1 the ,fire does not issue from the ,wire and the ,coating at the same ,time1 as some have thought1 but that the ,coating always receives what is discharged by the ,wire1 or an equal ,quantity2 the outer ,surface being always in a negative ,state of ,electricity1 when the inner ,surface is in a positive ,state4 ,place a thick plate of glass under the rubbing cushion1 to cut off the communication of electrical fire from the floor to the cushion2 then if there be no fine points or hairy threads sticking out from the cushion1 or from the parts of the machine opposite to the cushion1 7of which you must be careful7 you can get but a few sparks from the prime conductor1 which are all the cushion will part with4 ,hang a phial then on the prime conductor1 and it will not charge though you hold it by the coating4--,but1 ,form a communication by a chain from the coating to the cushion1 and the phial will charge4 ,for the globe then draws the electric fire out of the outside surface of the phial and forces it through the prime conductor and wire of the phial into the inside surface4 ,thus the bottle is charged with its own fire1 no other being to be had while the glass plate is under the cushion4 ,hang two cork balls by flaxen threads to the prime conductor2 then touch the coating of the bottle1 and they will be electrified and recede from each other4 ,for just as much fire as you give the coating1 so much is discharged through the wire upon the prime conductor1 whence the cork balls receive an electrical atmosphere4--,but1 ,take a wire bent in the form of a ,c1 with a stick of wax fixed to the outside of the curve1 to hold it by2 and apply one end of this wire to the coating1 and the other at the same time to the prime conductor1 the phial will be discharged2 and if the balls are not electrified before the discharge1 neither will they appear to be so after the discharge1 for they will not repel each other4 ,if the phial really exploded at both ends1 and discharged fire from both coating and wire1 the balls would be more electrified1 and recede farther2 for none of the fire can escape1 the wax handle preventing4 ,but if the fire with which the inside surface is surcharged be so much precisely as is wanted by the outside surface1 it will pass round through the wire fixed to the wax handle1 restore the equilibrium in the glass1 and make no alteration in the state of the prime conductor4 ,accordingly we find1 that if the prime conductor be electrified1 and the cork balls in a state of repellency before the bottle is discharged1 they continue so afterwards4 ,if not1 they are not electrified by that discharge4 ,,footnotes3 #dh ,see the ingenious ,essays on ,electricity1 in the ,transactions1 by ,mr4 ,ellicot4 #di ,see page #agc4 #ej ,see note in page #bad4 #ea ,see the first sixteen ,sections of the former paper1 called ,farther ,experiments1 c4 #eb ,see ,sect4 #aj1 of ,farther ,experiments1 c4 #ec ,in the dark the electric fluid may be seen on the cushion in two semi-circles or half-moons1 one on the fore-part1 the other on the back part of the cushion1 just where the globe and cushion separate4 ,in the fore crescent the fire is passing out of the cushion into the glass2 in the other it is leaving the glass1 and returning into the back part of the cushion4 ,when the prime conductor is applied to take it off the glass1 the back crescent disappears4 #ed ,gilt paper1 with the gilt face next the glass1 does well #ee ,see ,further ,experiments1 ,sect4 #ae4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,accumulation of the electrical ,fire proved to be in the electrified ,glass4--,effect of ,lightning on the ,needle of ,compasses1 explained4--,gunpowder fired by the electric ,flame4 ,philadelphia1 ,july #bg1 #agej4 ,,sir1 ,mr4 ,watson1 ,i believe1 wrote his ,observations on my last paper in haste1 without having first well considered the experiments related 4 #agef1 which still appear to me decisive in the question1--,whether the accumulation of the electrical fire be in the electrified glass1 or in the non-electric matter connected with the glass8 and to demonstrate that it is really in the glass4 ,as to the experiment that ingenious gentleman mentions1 and which he thinks conclusive on the other side1 ,i persuade myself he will change his opinion of it1 when he considers1 that as one person applying the wire of the charged bottle to warm spirits1 in a spoon held by another person1 both standing on the floor1 will fire the spirits1 and yet such firing will not determine whether the accumulation was in the glass or the non-electric2 so the placing another person between them1 standing on wax1 with a bason in his hand1 into which the water from the phial is poured1 while he at the instant of pouring presents a finger of his other hand to the spirits1 does not at all alter the case2 the stream from the phial1 the side of the bason1 with the arms and body of the person on the wax1 being all together but as one long wire1 reaching from the internal surface of the phial to the spirits4 ,june #bi1 #agea4 ,in ,capt4 ,waddell's account of the effects of lightning on his ship1 ,i could not but take notice of the large comazants 7as he calls them7 that settled on the spintles at the top-mast heads1 and burnt like very large torches 7before the stroke47 ,according to my opinion1 the electrical fire was then drawing off1 as by points1 from the cloud2 the largeness of the flame betokening the great quantity of electricity in the cloud3 and had there been a good wire communication from the spintle heads to the sea1 that could have conducted more freely than tarred ropes1 or masts of turpentine wood1 ,i imagine there would either have been no stroke1 or1 if a stroke1 the wire would have conducted it all into the sea without damage to the ship4 ,his compasses lost the virtue of the load-stone1 or the poles were reversed2 the north point turning to the south4--,by electricity we have 7here at ,philadelphia7 frequently given polarity to needles1 and reversed it at pleasure4 ,mr4 ,wilson1 at ,london1 tried it on too large masses1 and with too small force4 ,a shock from four large glass jars1 sent through a fine sewing-needle1 gives it polarity1 and it will traverse when laid on water4--,if the needle1 when struck1 lies east and west1 the end entered by the electric blast points north4--,if it lies north and south1 the end that lay towards the north will continue to point north when placed on water1 whether the fire entered at that end1 or at the contrary end4 ,the polarity given is strongest when the needle is struck lying north and south1 weakest when lying east and west2 perhaps if the force was still greater1 the south end1 entered by the fire 7when the needle lies north and south7 might become the north1 otherwise it puzzles us to account for the inverting of compasses by lightning2 since their needles must always be found in that situation1 and by our little experiments1 whether the blast entered the north and went out at the south end of the needle1 or the contrary1 still the end that lay to the north should continue to point north4 ,in these experiments the ends of the needles are sometimes finely blued like a watch-spring by the electric flame4--,this colour given by the flash from two jars only1 will wipe off1 but four jars fix it1 and frequently melt the needles4 ,i send you some that have had their heads and points melted off by our mimic lightning2 and a pin that had its point melted off1 and some part of its head and neck run4 ,sometimes the surface on the body of the needle is also run1 and appears blistered when examined by a magnifying glass3 the jars ,i make use off hold seven or eight gallons1 and are coated and lined with tin foil2 each of them takes a thousand turns#eg of a globe nine inches diameter to charge it4 ,i send you two specimens of tin-foil melted between glass1 by the force of two jars only4 ,i have not heard that any of your ,european electricians have ever been able to fire gun-powder by the electric flame4 ,we do it here in this manner3--,a small cartridge is filled with dry powder1 hard rammed1 so as to bruise some of the grains2 two pointed wires are then thrust in1 one at each end1 the points approaching each other in the middle of the cartridge till within the distance of half an inch2 then1 the cartridge being placed in the circuit1 when the four jars are discharged1 the electric flame leaping from the point of one wire to the point of the other1 within the cartridge amongst the powder1 fires it1 and the explosion of the powder is at the same instant with the crack of the discharge4 ,your's1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #ef ,see the paper entitled1 ,farther ,experiments1 c4 #eg ,the cushion being afterwards covered with a long flap of buckskin1 which might cling to the globe2 and care being taken to keep that flap of a due temperature1 between too dry and too moist1 we found so much more of the electric fluid was obtained1 as that #aej turns were sufficient4 #agec4 ,,to ,c4 ,c#eh4 ,,esq4 ,,at ,,new-,,york1 ,,communicated ,,to ,,mr4 ,,collinson4 ,unlimited ,nature of the electric ,force4 ,philadelphia1 #agea4 ,,sir1 ,i inclose you answers1 such as my present hurry of business will permit me to make1 to the principal queries contained in your's of the #bhth instant1 and beg leave to refer you to the latter piece in the printed collection of my papers1 for farther explanation of the difference between what is called electrics per se1 and non-electrics4 ,when you have had time to read and consider these papers1 ,i will endeavour to make any new experiments you shall propose1 that you think may afford farther light or satisfaction to either of us2 and shall be much obliged to you for such remarks1 objections1 c4 as may occur to you4--,i forget whether ,i wrote to you that ,i have melted brass pins and steel needles1 inverted the poles of the magnetic needle1 given a magnetism and polarity to needles that had none1 and fired dry gunpowder by the electric spark4 ,i have five bottles that contain eight or nine gallons each1 two of which charged are sufficient for those purposes3 but ,i can charge and discharge them altogether4 ,there are no bounds 7but what expence and labour give7 to the force man may raise and use in the electrical way3 for bottle may be added to bottle in infinitum1 and all united and discharged together as one1 the force and effect proportioned to their number and size4 ,the greatest known effects of common lightning may1 ,i think1 without much difficulty1 be exceeded in this way1 which a few years since could not have been believed1 and even now may seem to many a little extravagant to suppose4--,so we are got beyond the skill of ,rabelais's devils of two years old1 who1 he humourously says1 had only learnt to thunder and lighten a little round the head of a cabbage4 ,i am1 with sincere respect1 ,your most obliged humble servant1 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,queries ,,and ,,answers ,,referred ,,to ,,in ,,the ,,foregoing ,,letter4 ,the ,terms1 electric per se1 and non-electric1 improper4--,new ,relation between ,metals and ,water4--,effects of ,air in electrical ,experiments4--,experiment for discovering more of the ,qualities of the electric ,fluid4 ,query1 ,wherein consists the difference between an electric and a non-electric body8 ,answer4 ,the terms electric per se1 and non-electric1 were first used to distinguish bodies1 on a mistaken supposition that those called electrics per se1 alone contained electric matter in their substance1 which was capable of being excited by friction1 and of being produced or drawn from them1 and communicated to those called non-electrics1 supposed to be destitute of it3 for the glass1 c4 being rubbed1 discovered signs of having it1 by snapping to the finger1 attracting1 repelling1 c4 and could communicate those signs to metals and water4--,afterwards it was found1 that rubbing of glass would not produce the electric matter1 unless a communication was preserved between the rubber and the floor2 and subsequent experiments proved that the electric matter was really drawn from those bodies that at first were thought to have none in them4 ,then it was doubted whether glass1 and other bodies called electrics per se1 had really any electric matter in them1 since they apparently afforded none but what they first extracted from those which had been called non-electrics4 ,but some of my experiments show1 that glass contains it in great quantity1 and ,i now suspect it to be pretty equally diffused in all the matter of this terraqueous globe4 ,if so1 the terms electric per se1 and non-electric1 should be laid aside as improper3 and 7the only difference being this1 that some bodies will conduct electric matter1 and others will not7 the terms conductor and non-conductor may supply their place4 ,if any portion of electric matter is applied to a piece of conducting matter1 it penetrates and flows through it1 or spreads equally on its surface2 if applied to a piece of non-conducting matter1 it will do neither4 ,perfect conductors of electric matter are only metals and water4 ,other bodies conducting only as they contain a mixture of those2 without more or less of which they will not conduct at all#ei4 ,this 7by the way7 shews a new relation between metals and water heretofore unknown4 ,to illustrate this by a comparison1 which1 however1 can only give a faint resemblance4 ,electric matter passes through conductors as water passes through a porous stone1 or spreads on their surfaces as water spreads on a wet stone2 but when applied to non-conductors1 it is like water dropt on a greasy stone1 it neither penetrates1 passes through1 nor spreads on the surface1 but remains in drops where it falls4 ,see farther on this head1 in my last printed piece1 entitled1 ,opinions and ,conjectures1 c4 #agdi4 ,query1 ,what are the effects of air in electrical experiments8 ,answer4 ,all ,i have hitherto observed are these4 ,moist air receives and conducts the electrical matter in proportion to its moisture1 quite dry air not at all3 air is therefore to be classed with the non-conductors4 ,dry air assists in confining the electrical atmosphere to the body it surrounds1 and prevents its dissipating3 for in vacuo it quits easily1 and points operate stronger1 i4 e4 they throw off or attract the electrical matter more freely1 and at greater distances2 so that air intervening obstructs its passage from body to body in some degree4 ,a clean electrical phial and wire1 containing air instead of water1 will not be charged nor give a shock1 any more than if it was filled with powder of glass2 but exhausted of air1 it operates as well as if filled with water4 ,yet an electric atmosphere and air do not seem to exclude each other1 for we breathe freely in such an atmosphere1 and dry air will blow through it without displacing or driving it away4 ,i question whether the strongest dry north-wester#fj would dissipate it4 ,i once electrified a large cork-ball at the end of a silk thread three feet long1 the other end of which ,i held in my fingers1 and whirl'd it round1 like a sling one hundred times1 in the air1 with the swiftest motion ,i could possibly give it1 yet it retained its electric atmosphere1 though it must have passed through eight hundred yards of air1 allowing my arm in giving the motion to add a foot to the semi-diameter of the circle4--,by quite dry air1 ,i mean the dryest we have3 for perhaps we never have any perfectly free from moisture4 ,an electrical atmosphere raised round a thick wire1 inserted in a phial of air1 drives out none of the air1 nor on withdrawing that atmosphere will any air rush in1 as ,i have found by a curious experiment#fa accurately made1 whence we concluded that the air's elasticity was not affected thereby4 ,,an ,,experiment ,,towards ,,discovering ,,more ,,of ,,the ,,qualities ,,of ,,the ,,electric ,,fluid4 ,from the prime conductor1 hang a bullet by a wire hook2 under the bullet1 at half an inch distance1 place a bright piece of silver to receive the sparks2 then let the wheel be turned1 and in a few minutes1 7if the repeated sparks continually strike in the same spot7 the silver will receive a blue stain1 nearly the colour of a watch spring4 ,a bright piece of iron will also be spotted1 but not with that colour2 it rather seems corroded4 ,on gold1 brass1 or tin1 ,i have not perceived it makes any impression4 ,but the spots on the silver or iron will be the same1 whether the bullet be lead1 brass1 gold1 or silver4 ,on a silver bullet there will also appear a small spot1 as well as on the plate below it4 ,,footnotes3 #eh ,cadwallader ,colden1 who was afterwards lieutenant-governor of ,new-,york4 ,editor4 #ei ,this proposition is since found to be too general2 ,mr4 ,wilson having discovered that melted wax and rosin will also conduct4 #fj ,a cold dry wind of ,north ,america4 #fa ,the experiment here mentioned was thus made4 ,an empty phial was stopped with a cork4 ,through the cork passed a thick wire1 as usual in the ,leyden experiment1 which wire almost reached the bottom4 ,through another part of the cork passed one leg of a small glass syphon1 the other leg on the outside came down almost to the bottom of the phial4 ,this phial was first held a short time in the hand1 which1 warming1 and of course rarefying the air within1 drove a small part of it out through the syphon4 ,then a little red ink in a tea-spoon was applied to the opening of the outer leg of the syphon2 so that as the air within cooled1 a little of the ink might rise in that leg4 ,when the air within the bottle came to be of the same temperature of that without1 the drop of red ink would rest in a certain part of the leg4 ,but the warmth of a finger applied to the phial would cause that drop to descend1 as the least outward coolness applied would make it ascend4 ,when it had found its situation1 and was at rest1 the wire was electrified by a communication from the prime conductor4 ,this was supposed to give an electric atmosphere to the wire within the bottle1 which might likewise rarefy the included air1 and of course depress the drop of ink in the syphon4 ,but no such effect followed4 ,,to ,c4 ,c#fb4 ,,esq4 ,,at ,,new ,,york4 ,mistake1 that only ,metals and ,water were ,conductors1 rectified4--,supposition of a ,region of electric ,fire above our ,atmosphere4--,theorem concerning ,light4--,poke-,weed a ,cure for ,cancers4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,nov4 #aa1 #agef4 ,philadelphia1 ,april #bc1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,in considering your favour of the #afth past1 ,i recollected my having wrote you answers to some queries concerning the difference between electrics per se1 and non-electrics1 and the effects of air in electrical experiments1 which1 ,i apprehend1 you may not have received4 ,the date ,i have forgotten4 ,we have been used to call those bodies electrics per se1 which would not conduct the electric fluid3 ,we once imagined that only such bodies contained that fluid2 afterwards that they had none of it1 and only educed it from other bodies3 but further experiments shewed our mistake4 ,it is to be found in all matter we know of2 and the distinctions of electrics per se1 and non-electrics1 should now be dropt as improper1 and that of conductors and non-conductors assumed in its place1 as ,i mentioned in those answers4 ,i do not remember any experiment by which it appeared that high rectified spirit will not conduct2 perhaps you have made such4 ,this ,i know1 that wax1 rosin1 brimstone1 and even glass1 commonly reputed electrics per se1 will1 when in a fluid state1 conduct pretty well4 ,glass will do it when only red hot4 ,so that my former position1 that only metals and water were conductors1 and other bodies more or less such1 as they partook of metal or moisture1 was too general4 ,your conception of the electric fluid1 that it is incomparably more subtle than air1 is undoubtedly just4 ,it pervades dense matter with the greatest ease2 but it does not seem to mix or incorporate willingly with mere air1 as it does with other matter4 ,it will not quit common matter to join with air4 ,air obstructs1 in some degree1 its motion4 ,an electric atmosphere cannot be communicated at so great a distance1 through intervening air1 by far1 as through a vacuum4--,who knows then1 but there may be1 as the ancients thought1 a region of this fire above our atmosphere1 prevented by our air1 and its own too great distance for attraction1 from joining our earth8 ,perhaps where the atmosphere is rarest1 this fluid may be densest1 and nearer the earth where the atmosphere grows denser1 this fluid may be rarer2 yet some of it be low enough to attach itself to our highest clouds1 and thence they becoming electrified1 may be attracted by1 and descend towards the earth1 and discharge their watry contents1 together with that etherial fire4 ,perhaps the auror boreales are currents of this fluid in its own region1 above our atmosphere1 becoming from their motion visible4 ,there is no end to conjectures4 ,as yet we are but novices in this branch of natural knowledge4 ,you mention several differences of salts in electrical experiments4 ,were they all equally dry8 ,salt is apt to acquire moisture from a moist air1 and some sorts more than others4 ,when perfectly dried by lying before a fire1 or on a stove1 none that ,i have tried will conduct any better than so much glass4 ,new flannel1 if dry and warm1 will draw the electric fluid from non-electrics1 as well as that which has been worn4 ,i wish you had the convenience of trying the experiments you seem to have such expectations from1 upon various kinds of spirits1 salts1 earth1 c4 ,frequently1 in a variety of experiments1 though we miss what we expected to find1 yet something valuable turns out1 something surprising1 and instructing1 though unthought of4 ,i thank you for communicating the illustration of the theorem concerning light4 ,it is very curious4 ,but ,i must own ,i am much in the dark about light4 ,i am not satisfied with the doctrine that supposes particles of matter called light1 continually driven off from the sun's surface1 with a swiftness so prodigious6 ,must not the smallest particle conceivable have1 with such a motion1 a force exceeding that of a twenty-four pounder1 discharged from a cannon8 ,must not the ,sun diminish exceedingly by such a waste of matter2 and the planets1 instead of drawing nearer to him1 as some have feared1 recede to greater distances through the lessened attraction4 ,yet these particles1 with this amazing motion1 will not drive before them1 or remove1 the least and lightest dust they meet with3 ,and the ,sun1 for aught we know1 continues of his antient dimensions1 and his attendants move in their antient orbits4 ,may not all the phenomena of light be more conveniently solved1 by supposing universal space filled with a subtle elastic fluid1 which1 when at rest1 is not visible1 but whose vibrations affect that fine sense in the eye1 as those of air do the grosser organs of the ear8 ,we do not1 in the case of sound1 imagine that any sonorous particles are thrown off from a bell1 for instance1 and fly in strait lines to the ear2 why must we believe that luminous particles leave the sun and proceed to the eye8 ,some diamonds1 if rubbed1 shine in the dark1 without losing any part of their matter4 ,i can make an electrical spark as big as the flame of a candle1 much brighter1 and1 therefore1 visible further2 yet this is without fuel2 and1 ,i am persuaded1 no part of the electric fluid flies off in such case to distant places1 but all goes directly1 and is to be found in the place to which ,i destine it4 ,may not different degrees of the vibration of the above-mentioned universal medium1 occasion the appearances of different colours8 ,i think the electric fluid is always the same2 yet ,i find that weaker and stronger sparks differ in apparent colour1 some white1 blue1 purple1 red2 the strongest1 white2 weak ones red4 ,thus different degrees of vibration given to the air produce the seven1 different sounds in music1 analagous to the seven colours1 yet the medium1 air1 is the same4 ,if the ,sun is not wasted by expence of light1 ,i can easily conceive that he shall otherwise always retain the same quantity of matter2 though we should suppose him made of sulphur constantly flaming4 ,the action of fire only separates the particles of matter1 it does not annihilate them4 ,water1 by heat raised in vapour1 returns to the earth in rain2 and if we could collect all the particles of burning matter that go off in smoak1 perhaps they might1 with the ashes1 weigh as much as the body before it was fired3 and if we could put them into the same position with regard to each other1 the mass would be the same as before1 and might be burnt over again4 ,the chymists have analysed sulphur1 and find it composed1 in certain proportions1 of oil1 salt1 and earth2 and having1 by the analysis1 discovered those proportions1 they can1 of those ingredients1 make sulphur4 ,so we have only to suppose1 that the parts of the ,sun's sulphur1 separated by fire1 rise into his atmosphere1 and there being freed from the immediate action of the fire1 they collect into cloudy masses1 and growing1 by degrees1 too heavy to be longer supported1 they descend to the ,sun1 and are burnt over again4 ,hence the spots appearing on his face1 which are observed to diminish daily in size1 their consuming edges being of particular brightness4 ,it is well we are not1 as poor ,galileo was1 subject to the inquisition for philosophical heresy4 ,my whispers against the orthodox doctrine1 in private letters1 would be dangerous2 but your writing and printing would be highly criminal4 ,as it is1 you must expect some censure1 but one heretic will surely excuse another4 ,i am heartily glad to hear more instances of the success of the poke-weed1 in the cure of that horrible evil to the human body1 a cancer4 ,you will deserve highly of mankind for the communication4 ,but ,i find in ,boston they are at a loss to know the right plant1 some asserting it is what they call ,mechoachan1 others other things4 ,in one of their late papers it is publicly requested that a perfect description may be given of the plant1 its places of growth1 c4 ,i have mislaid the paper1 or would send it to you4 ,i thought you had described it pretty fully#fc4 ,i am1 ,sir1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #fb ,cadwallader ,colden4 ,see note1 page #bej4 ,editor4 #fc ,as the poke-weed1 though out of place1 is introduced here1 we shall translate and insert two extracts of letters from ,dr4 ,franklin to ,m4 ,dubourg1 the ,french translator of his works1 on the same subject4 ,,london1 ,,march #bg1 #aggc4 ,i apprehend that our poke-weed is what the botanists term phytolacca4 ,this plant bears berries as large as peas2 the skin is black1 but it contains a crimson juice4 ,it is this juice1 thickened by evaporation in the sun1 which was employed4 ,it caused great pain1 but some persons were said to have been cured4 ,i am not quite certain of the facts2 all that ,i know is1 that ,dr4 ,colden had a good opinion of the remedy4 ,,london1 ,,april #bc1 #aggc4 ,you will see by the annexed paper by ,dr4 ,solander1 that this herb1 poke-weed1 in which has been found a specific remedy for cancers1 is the most common species of phytolacca4 7,phytolacca decandra ,l47 ,editor4 ,,mr4 ,e4 ,,kinnersley1 ,,at ,,boston1 ,,to ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,,esq4 ,,at ,,philadelphia4 ,new ,experiments4--,paradoxes inferred from them4--,difference in the ,electricity of a ,globe of ,glass charged1 and a ,globe of ,sulphur4--,difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative4 ,feb4 #c1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,i have the following experiments to communicate3 ,i held in one hand a wire1 which was fastened at the other end to the handle of a pump1 in order to try whether the stroke from the prime conductor1 through my arms1 would be any greater than when conveyed only to the surface of the earth1 but could discover no difference4 ,i placed the needle of a compass on the point of a long pin1 and holding it in the atmosphere of the prime conductor1 at the distance of about three inches1 found it to whirl round like the flyers of a jack1 with great rapidity4 ,i suspended with silk a cork ball1 about the bigness of a pea1 and presented to it rubbed amber1 sealing-wax1 and sulphur1 by each of which it was strongly repelled2 then ,i tried rubbed glass and china1 and found that each of these would attract it1 until it became electrified again1 and then it would be repelled as at first2 and while thus repelled by the rubbed glass or china1 either of the others when rubbed would attract it4 ,then ,i electrified the ball1 with the wire of a charged phial1 and presented to it rubbed glass 7the stopper of a decanter7 and a china tea-cup1 by which it was as strongly repelled as by the wire2 but when ,i presented either of the other rubbed electrics1 it would be strongly attracted1 and when ,i electrified it by either of these1 till it became repelled1 it would be attracted by the wire of the phial1 but be repelled by its coating4 ,these experiments surprised me very much1 and have induced me to infer the following paradoxes4 #a4 ,if a glass globe be placed at one end of a prime-conductor1 and a sulphur one at the other end1 both being equally in good order1 and in equal motion1 not a spark of fire can be obtained from the conductor2 but one globe will draw out1 as fast as the other gives in4 #b4 ,if a phial be suspended on the conductor1 with a chain from its coating to the table1 and only one of the globes be made use of at a time1 #bj turns of the wheel1 for instance1 will charge it2 after which1 so many tarns of the other wheel will discharge it2 and as many more will charge it again4 #c4 ,the globes being both in motion1 each having a separate conductor1 with a phial suspended on one of them1 and the chain of it fastened to the other1 the phial will become charged2 one globe charging positively1 the other negatively4 #d4 ,the phial being thus charged1 hang it in like manner on the other conductor2 set both wheels a going again1 and the same number of turns that charged it before1 will now discharge it2 and the same number repeated1 will charge it again4 #e4 ,when each globe communicates with the same prime conductor1 having a chain hanging from it to the table1 one of them1 when in motion 7but which ,i cannot say7 will draw fire up through the cushion1 and discharge it through the chain2 the other will draw it up through the chain1 and discharge it through the cushion4 ,i should be glad if you would send to my house for my sulphur globe1 and the cushion belonging to it1 and make the trial2 but must caution you not to use chalk on the cushion1 some fine powdered sulphur will do better4 ,if1 as ,i expect1 you should find the globes to charge the prime conductor differently1 ,i hope you will be able to discover some method of determining which it is that charges positively4 ,i am1 c4 ,e4 ,,kinnersley4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,e4 ,,kinnersley1 ,,at ,,boston4 ,probable ,cause of the ,different ,attractions and ,repulsions of the two electrified ,globes mentioned in the two preceding ,letters4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #b1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,i thank you for the experiments communicated4 ,i sent immediately for your brimstone globe1 in order to make the trials you desired1 but found it wanted centres1 which ,i have not time now to supply2 but the first leisure ,i will get it fitted for use1 try the experiments1 and acquaint you with the result4 ,in the mean time ,i suspect1 that the different attractions and repulsions you observed1 proceeded rather from the greater or smaller quantities of the fire you obtained from different bodies1 than from its being of a different kind1 or having a different direction4 ,in haste1 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,e4 ,,kinnersley1 ,,at ,,boston4 ,reasons for supposing1 that the glass ,globe charges positively1 and the ,sulphur negatively4--,hint respecting a leather ,globe for ,experiments when travelling4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #af1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,having brought your brimstone globe to work1 ,i tried one of the experiments you proposed1 and was agreeably surprised to find1 that the glass globe being at one end of the conductor1 and the sulphur globe at the other end1 both globes in motion1 no spark could be obtained from the conductor1 unless when one globe turned slower1 or was not in so good order as the other2 and then the spark was only in proportion to the difference1 so that turning equally1 or turning that slowest which worked best1 would again bring the conductor to afford no spark4 ,i found also1 that the wire of a phial charged by the glass globe1 attracted a cork ball that had touched the wire of a phial charged by the brimstone globe1 and vice versa1 so that the cork continued to play between the two phials1 just as when one phial was charged through the wire1 the other through the coating1 by the glass globe alone4 ,and two phials charged1 the one by the brimstone globe1 the other by the glass globe1 would be both discharged by bringing their wires together1 and shock the person holding the phials4 ,from these experiments one may be certain that your #b;d1 #c;d1 and #dth proposed experiments1 would succeed exactly as you suppose1 though ,i have not tried them1 wanting time4 ,i imagine it is the glass globe that charges positively1 and the sulphur negatively1 for these reasons3 #a4 ,though the sulphur globe seems to work equally well with the glass one1 yet it can never occasion so large and distant a spark between my knuckle and the conductor1 when the sulphur one is working1 as when the glass one is used2 which1 ,i suppose1 is occasioned by this1 that bodies of a certain bigness cannot so easily part with a quantity of electrical fluid they have and hold attracted within their substance1 as they can receive an additional quantity upon their surface by way of atmosphere4 ,therefore so much cannot be drawn out of the conductor1 as can be thrown on it4 #b4 ,i observe that the stream or brush of fire1 appearing at the end of a wire1 connected with the conductor1 is long1 large1 and much diverging1 when the glass globe is used1 and makes a snapping 7or rattling7 noise3 but when the sulphur one is used1 it is short1 small1 and makes a hissing noise2 and just the reverse of both happens1 when you hold the same wire in your hand1 and the globes are worked alternately3 the brush is large1 long1 diverging1 and snapping 7or rattling7 when the sulphur globe is turned2 short1 small1 and hissing1 when the glass globe is turned4--,when the brush is long1 large1 and much diverging1 the body to which it joins seems to me to be throwing the fire out2 and when the contrary appears1 it seems to be drinking in4 #c4 ,i observe1 that when ,i hold my knuckle before the sulphur globe1 while turning1 the stream of fire between my knuckle and the globe seems to spread on its surface1 as if it flowed from the finger2 on the glass globe it is otherwise4 #d4 ,the cool wind 7or what was called so7 that we used to feel as coming from an electrified point1 is1 ,i think1 more sensible when the glass globe is used1 than when the sulphur one4--,but these are hasty thoughts4 ,as to your fifth paradox1 it must likewise be true1 if the globes are alternately worked2 but if worked together1 the fire will neither come up nor go down by the chain1 because one globe will drink it as fast as the other produces it4 ,i should be glad to know1 whether the effects would be contrary if the glass globe is solid1 and the sulphur globe is hollow2 but ,i have no means at present of trying4 ,in your journeys1 your glass globes meet with accidents1 and sulphur ones are heavy and inconvenient4--,query4 ,would not a thin plane of brimstone1 cast on a board1 serve on occasion as a cushion1 while a globe of leather stuffed 7properly mounted7 might receive the fire from the sulphur1 and charge the conductor positively8 ,such a globe would be in no danger of breaking#fd4 ,i think ,i can conceive how it may be done2 but have not time to add more than that ,i am1 ,yours1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #fd ,the discoveries of the late ingenious ,mr4 ,symmer1 on the positive and negative electricity produced by the mutual friction of white and black silk1 c4 afford hints for farther improvements to be made with this view4 ,in ,mr4 ,collinson's edition1 several papers followed here1 by the ,abb ,mazeas1 and others1 upon the subject of ,dr4 ,franklin's experiments1 which1 that the letters of our author might not be too much interrupted1 we have thought proper to transfer to an ,appendix4 ,a subsequent paper by ,mr4 ,david ,colden1 entitled ,remarks on the ,abb ,nollet's ,letters to ,benjamin ,franklin1 esq4 on ,electricity1 will be found transferred in the same manner4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,electrical ,kite4 ,philadelphia1 ,oct4 #ai1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,as frequent mention is made in public papers from ,europe of the success of the ,philadelphia experiment for drawing the electric fire from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings1 c4 it may be agreeable to the curious to be informed that the same experiment has succeeded in ,philadelphia1 though made in a different and more easy manner1 which is as follows3 ,make a small cross of two light strips of cedar1 the arms so long as to reach to the four corners of a large thin silk handkerchief when extended2 tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross1 so you have the body of a kite2 which being properly accommodated with a tail1 loop1 and string1 will rise in the air1 like those made of paper2 but this being of silk is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust without tearing4 ,to the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp pointed wire1 rising a foot or more above the wood4 ,to the end of the twine1 next the hand1 is to be tied a silk ribbon1 and where the silk and twine join1 a key may be fastened4 ,this kite is to be raised when a thunder-gust appears to be coming on1 and the person who holds the string must stand within a door or window1 or under some cover1 so that the silk ribbon may not be wet2 and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame of the door or window4 ,as soon as any of the thunder clouds come over the kite1 the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them1 and the kite1 with all the twine1 will be electrified1 and the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way1 and be attracted by an approaching finger4 ,and when the rain has wetted the kite and twine1 so that it can conduct the electric fire freely1 you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle4 ,at this key the phial may be charged2 and from electric fire thus obtained1 spirits may be kindled1 and all the other electric experiments be performed1 which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe or tube1 and thereby the sameness of the electric matter with that of lightning completely demonstrated4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,hypothesis1 of the ,sea being the grand ,source of ,lightning1 retracted4 ,positive1 and sometimes negative1 ,electricity of the ,clouds discovered4--,new ,experiments and ,conjectures in ,support of this ,discovery4--,observations recommended for ascertaining the ,direction of the electric ,fluid4--,size of ,rods for ,conductors to ,buildings4--,appearance of a ,thunder-,cloud described4 ,philadelphia1 ,september1 #agec4 ,,sir1 ,in my former paper on this subject1 written first in #agdg1 enlarged and sent to ,england in #agdi1 ,i considered the sea as the grand source of lightning1 imagining its luminous appearance to be owing to electric fire1 produced by friction between the particles of water and those of salt4 ,living far from the sea1 ,i had then no opportunity of making experiments on the sea-water1 and so embraced this opinion too hastily4 ,for in #agej1 and #agea1 being occasionally on the sea-coast1 ,i found1 by experiments1 that sea-water in a bottle1 though at first it would by agitation appear luminous1 yet in a few hours it lost that virtue3 hence and from this1 that ,i could not by agitating a solution of sea-salt in water produce any light1 ,i first began to doubt of my former hypothesis1 and to suspect that the luminous appearance in sea-water must be owing to some other principles4 ,i then considered whether it were not possible1 that the particles of air1 being electrics per se1 might1 in hard gales of wind1 by their friction against trees1 hills1 buildings1 c4 as so many minute electric globes1 rubbing against non-electric cushions1 draw the electric fire from the earth1 and that the rising vapours might receive that fire from the air1 and by such means the clouds become electrified4 ,if this were so1 ,i imagined that by forcing a constant violent stream of air against my prime conductor1 by bellows1 ,i should electrify it negatively2 the rubbing particles of air1 drawing from it part of its natural quantity of the electric fluid4 ,i accordingly made the experiment1 but it did not succeed4 ,in ,september #ageb1 ,i erected an iron rod to draw the lightning down into my house1 in order to make some experiments on it1 with two bells to give notice when the rod should be electrified3 a contrivance obvious to every electrician4 ,i found the bells rang sometimes when there was no lightning or thunder1 but only a dark cloud over the rod2 that sometimes after a flash of lightning they would suddenly stop2 and at other times1 when they had not rang before1 they would1 after a flash1 suddenly begin to ring2 that the electricity was sometimes very faint1 so that when a small spark was obtained1 another could not be got for some time after2 at other times the sparks would follow extremely quick1 and once ,i had a continual stream from bell to bell1 the size of a crow-quill3 even during the same gust there were considerable variations4 ,in the winter following ,i conceived an experiment1 to try whether the clouds were electrified positively or negatively2 but my pointed rod1 with its apparatus1 becoming out of order1 ,i did not refit it till towards the spring1 when ,i expected the warm weather would bring on more frequent thunder-clouds4 ,the experiment was this3 ,to take two phials2 charge one of them with lightning from the iron rod1 and give the other an equal charge by the electric glass globe1 through the prime conductor3 when charged1 to place them on a table within three or four inches of each other1 a small cork ball being suspended by a fine silk thread from the cieling1 so as it might play between the wires4 ,if both bottles then were electrified positively1 the ball being attracted and repelled by one1 must be also repelled by the other4 ,if the one positively1 and the other negatively2 then the ball would be attracted and repelled alternately by each1 and continue to play between them as long as any considerable charge remained4 ,being very intent on making this experiment1 it was no small mortification to me1 that ,i happened to be abroad during two of the greatest thunder-storms we had early in the spring1 and though ,i had given orders in my family1 that if the bells rang when ,i was from home1 they should catch some of the lightning for me in electrical phials1 and they did so1 yet it was mostly dissipated before my return1 and in some of the other gusts1 the quantity of lightning ,i was able to obtain was so small1 and the charge so weak1 that ,i could not satisfy myself3 yet ,i sometimes saw what heightened my suspicions1 and inflamed my curiosity4 ,at last1 on the #abth of ,april1 #agec1 there being a smart gust of some continuance1 ,i charged one phial pretty well with lightning1 and the other equally1 as near as ,i could judge1 with electricity from my glass globe2 and1 having placed them properly1 ,i beheld1 with great surprize and pleasure1 the cork ball play briskly between them2 and was convinced that one bottle was electrised negatively4 ,i repeated this experiment several times during the gust1 and in eight succeeding gusts1 always with the same success2 and being of opinion 7for reasons ,i formerly gave in my letter to ,mr4 ,kinnersley1 since printed in ,london7 that the glass globe electrises positively1 ,i concluded that the clouds are always electrised negatively1 or have always in them less than their natural quantity of the electric fluid4 ,yet notwithstanding so many experiments1 it seems ,i concluded too soon2 for at last1 ,june the #fth1 in a gust which continued from five o'clock1 ,p4 ,m4 to seven1 ,i met with one cloud that was electrised positively1 though several that passed over my rod before1 during the same gust1 were in the negative state4 ,this was thus discovered3 ,i had another concurring experiment1 which ,i often repeated1 to prove the negative state of the clouds1 viz4 while the bells were ringing1 ,i took the phial charged from the glass globe1 and applied its wire to the erected rod1 considering1 that if the clouds were electrised positively1 the rod which received its electricity from them must be so too2 and then the additional positive electricity of the phial would make the bells ring faster3--,but1 if the clouds were in a negative state1 they must exhaust the electric fluid from my rod1 and bring that into the same negative state with themselves1 and then the wire of a positively charged phial1 supplying the rod with what it wanted 7which it was obliged otherwise to draw from the earth by means of the pendulous brass ball playing between the two bells7 the ringing would cease till the bottle was discharged4 ,in this manner ,i quite discharged into the rod several phials that were charged from the glass globe1 the electric fluid streaming from the wire to the rod1 till the wire would receive no spark from the finger2 and1 during this supply to the rod from the phial1 the bells stopped ringing2 but by continuing the application of the phial wire to the rod1 ,i exhausted the natural quantity from the inside surface of the same phials1 or1 as ,i call it1 charged them negatively4 ,at length1 while ,i was charging a phial by my glass globe1 to repeat this experiment1 my bells1 of themselves1 stopped ringing1 and1 after some pause1 began to ring again4--,but now1 when ,i approached the wire of the charged phial to the rod1 instead of the usual stream that ,i expected from the wire to the rod1 there was no spark2 not even when ,i brought the wire and the rod to touch2 yet the bells continued ringing vigorously1 which proved to me1 that the rod was then positively electrified1 as well as the wire of the phial1 and equally so2 and1 consequently1 that the particular cloud then over the rod was in the same positive state4 ,this was near the end of the gust4 ,but this was a single experiment1 which1 however1 destroys my first too general conclusion1 and reduces me to this3 ,that the clouds of a thunder-gust are most commonly in a negative state of electricity1 but sometimes in a positive state4 ,the latter ,i believe is rare2 for though ,i soon after the last experiment set out on a journey to ,boston1 and was from home most part of the summer1 which prevented my making farther trials and observations2 yet ,mr4 ,kinnersley returning from the ,islands just as ,i left home1 pursued the experiments during my absence1 and informs me that he always found the clouds in the negative state4 ,so that1 for the most part1 in thunder-strokes1 it is the earth that strikes into the clouds1 and not the clouds that strike into the earth4 ,those who are versed in electric experiments1 will easily conceive1 that the effects and appearances must be nearly the same in either case2 the same explosion1 and the same flash between one cloud and another1 and between the clouds and mountains1 c4 the same rending of trees1 walls1 c4 which the electric fluid meets with in its passage1 and the same fatal shock to animal bodies2 and that pointed rods fixed on buildings1 or masts of ships1 and communicating with the earth or sea1 must be of the same service in restoring the equilibrium silently between the earth and clouds1 or in conducting a flash or stroke1 if one should be1 so as to save harmless the house or vessel3 for points have equal power to throw off1 as to draw on the electric fire1 and1 rods will conduct up as well as down4 ,but though the light gained from these experiments makes no alteration in the practice1 it makes a considerable one in the theory4 ,and now we as much need an hypothesis to explain by what means the clouds become negatively1 as before to shew how they became positively electrified4 ,i cannot forbear venturing some few conjectures on this occasion3 they are what occur to me at present1 and though future discoveries should prove them not wholly right1 yet they may in the mean time be of some use1 by stirring up the curious to make more experiments1 and occasion more exact disquisitions4 ,i conceive then1 that this globe of earth and water1 with its plants1 animals1 and buildings1 have diffused throughout their substance1 a quantity of the electric fluid1 just as much as they can contain1 which ,i call the natural quantity4 ,that this natural quantity is not the same in all kinds of common matter under the same dimensions1 nor in the same kind of common matter in all circumstances2 but a solid foot1 for instance1 of one kind of common matter1 may contain more of the electric fluid than a solid foot of some other kind of common matter2 and a pound weight of the same kind of common matter may1 when in a rarer state1 contain more of the electric fluid than when in a denser state4 ,for the electric fluid1 being attracted by any portion of common matter1 the parts of that fluid1 7which have among themselves a mutual repulsion7 are brought so near to each other by the attraction of the common matter that absorbs them1 as that their repulsion is equal to the condensing power of attraction in common matter2 and then such portion of common matter will absorb no more4 ,bodies of different kinds having thus attracted and absorbed what ,i call their natural quantity1 i4 e4 just as much of the electric fluid as is suited to their circumstances of density1 rarity1 and power of attracting1 do not then show any signs of electricity among each other4 ,and if more electric fluid be added to one of these bodies1 it does not enter1 but spreads on the surface1 forming an atmosphere2 and then such body shews signs of electricity4 ,i have in a former paper compared common matter to a spunge1 and the electric fluid to water3 ,i beg leave once more to make use of the same comparison1 to illustrate farther my meaning in this particular4 ,when a spunge is somewhat condensed by being squeezed between the fingers1 it will not receive and retain so much water as when in its more loose and open state4 ,if more squeezed and condensed1 some of the water will come out of its inner parts1 and flow on the surface4 ,if the pressure of the fingers be entirely removed1 the spunge will not only resume what was lately forced out1 but attract an additional quantity4 ,as the spunge in its rarer state will naturally attract and absorb more water1 and in its denser state will naturally attract and absorb less water2 we may call the quantity it attacks and absorbs in either state1 its natural quantity1 the state being considered4 ,now what the spunge is to water1 the same is water to the electric fluid4 ,when a portion of water is in its common dense state1 it can hold no more electric fluid than it has3 if any be added1 it spreads on the surface4 ,when the same portion of water is rarefied into vapour1 and forms a cloud1 it is then capable of receiving and absorbing a much greater quantity2 there is room for each particle to have an electric atmosphere4 ,thus water1 in its rarefied state1 or in the form of a cloud1 will be in a negative state of electricity2 it will have less than its natural quantity2 that is1 less than it is naturally capable of attracting and absorbing in that state4 ,such a cloud1 then1 coming so near the earth as to be within the striking distance1 will receive from the earth a flash of the electric fluid2 which flash1 to supply a great extent of cloud1 must sometimes contain a very great quantity of that fluid4 ,or such a cloud1 passing over woods of tall trees1 may from the points and sharp edges of their moist top leaves1 receive silently some supply4 ,a cloud being by any means supplied from the earth1 may strike into other clouds that have not been supplied1 or not so much supplied2 and those to others1 till an equilibrium is produced among all the clouds that are within striking distance of each other4 ,the cloud thus supplied1 having parted with much of what it first received1 may require and receive a fresh supply from the earth1 or from some other cloud1 which by the wind is brought into such a situation as to receive it more readily from the earth4 ,hence repeated and continual strokes and flashes till the clouds have all got nearly their natural quantity as clouds1 or till they have descended in showers1 and are united again with this terraqueous globe1 their original4 ,thus1 thunder-clouds are generally in a negative state of electricity compared with the earth1 agreeable to most of our experiments2 yet as by one experiment we found a cloud electrised positively1 ,i conjecture that1 in that case1 such cloud1 after having received what was1 in its rare state1 only its natural quantity1 became compressed by the driving winds1 or some other means1 so that part of what it had absorbed was forced out1 and formed an electric atmosphere around it in its denser state4 ,hence it was capable of communicating positive electricity to my rod4 ,to show that a body in different circumstances of dilatation and contraction is capable of receiving and retaining more or less of the electric fluid on its surface1 ,i would relate the following experiment3 ,i placed a clean wine glass on the floor1 and on it a small silver can4 ,in the can ,i put about three yards of brass chain2 to one end of which ,i fastened a silk thread1 which went right up to the cieling1 where it passed over a pulley1 and came down again to my hand1 that ,i might at pleasure draw the chain up out of the can1 extending it till within a foot of the cieling1 and let it gradually sink into the can again4--,from the cieling1 by another thread of fine raw silk1 ,i suspended a small light lock of cotton1 so as that when it hung perpendicularly1 it came in contact with the side of the can4--,then approaching the wire of a charged phial to the can1 ,i gave it a spark1 which flowed round in an electric atmosphere2 and the lock of cotton was repelled from the side of the can to the distance of about nine or ten inches4 ,the can would not then receive another spark from the wire of the phial2 but as ,i gradually drew up the chain1 the atmosphere of the can diminished by flowing over the rising chain1 and the lock of cotton accordingly drew nearer and nearer to the can2 and then1 if ,i again brought the phial wire near the can1 it would receive another spark1 and the cotton fly off again to its first distance2 and thus1 as the chain was drawn higher1 the can would receive more sparks2 because the can and extended chain were capable of supporting a greater atmosphere than the can with the chain gathered up into its belly4--,and that the atmosphere round the can was diminished by raising the chain1 and increased again by lowering it1 is not only agreeable to reason1 since the atmosphere of the chain1 must be drawn from that of the can1 when it rose1 and returned to it again when it fell2 but was also evident to the eye1 the lock of cotton always approaching the can when the chain was drawn up1 and receding when it was let down again4 ,thus we see that increase of surface makes a body capable of receiving a greater electric atmosphere3 but this experiment does not1 ,i own1 fully demonstrate my new hypothesis2 for the brass and silver still continue in their solid state1 and are not rarefied into vapour1 as the water is in clouds4 ,perhaps some future experiments on vapourized water may set this matter in a clearer light4 ,one seemingly material objection arises to the new hypothesis1 and it is this3 ,if water1 in its rarefied state1 as a cloud1 requires1 and will absorb more of the electric fluid than when in its dense state as water1 why does it not acquire from the earth all it wants at the instant of its leaving the surface1 while it is yet near1 and but just rising in vapour8 ,to this difficulty ,i own ,i cannot at present give a solution satisfactory to myself3 ,i thought1 however1 that ,i ought to state it in its full force1 as ,i have done1 and submit the whole to examination4 ,and ,i would beg leave to recommend it to the curious in this branch of natural philosophy1 to repeat with care and accurate observation the experiments ,i have reported in this and former papers relating to positive and negative electricity1 with such other relative ones as shall occur to them1 that it may be certainly known whether the electricity communicated by a glass globe1 be really positive4 ,and also ,i would request all who may have an opportunity of observing the recent effects of lightning on buildings1 trees1 c4 that they would consider them particularly with a view to discover the direction4 ,but in these examinations1 this one thing is always to be understood1 viz4 that a stream of the electric fluid passing through wood1 brick1 metal1 c4 while such fluid passes in small quantity1 the mutually repulsive power of its parts is confined and overcome by the cohesion of the parts of the body it passes through1 so as to prevent an explosion2 but when the fluid comes in a quantity too great to be confined by such cohesion1 it explodes1 and rends or fuses the body that endeavoured to confine it4 ,if it be wood1 brick1 stone1 or the like1 the splinters will fly off on that side where there is least resistance4 ,and thus1 when a hole is struck through pasteboard by the electrified jar1 if the surfaces of the pasteboard are not confined or compressed1 there will be a bur raised all round the hole on both sides the pasteboard2 but if one side be confined1 so that the bur cannot be raised on that side1 it will be all raised on the other1 which way soever the fluid was directed4 ,for the bur round the outside of the hole1 is the effect of the explosion every way from the centre of the stream1 and not an effect of the direction4 ,in every stroke of lightning1 ,i am of opinion that the stream of the electric fluid1 moving to restore the equilibrium between the cloud and the earth1 does always previously find its passage1 and mark out1 as ,i may say1 its own course1 taking in its way all the conductors it can find1 such as metals1 damp walls1 moist wood1 c4 and will go considerably out of a direct course1 for the sake of the assistance of good conductors2 and that1 in this course1 it is actually moving1 though silently and imperceptibly1 before the explosion1 in and among the conductors2 which explosion happens only when the conductors cannot discharge it as fast as they receive it1 by reason of their being incomplete1 dis-united1 too small1 or not of the best materials for conducting4 ,metalline rods1 therefore1 of sufficient thickness1 and extending from the highest part of an edifice to the ground1 being of the best materials and complete conductors1 will1 ,i think1 secure the building from damage1 either by restoring the equilibrium so fast as to prevent a stroke1 or by conducting it in the substance of the rod as far as the rod goes1 so that there shall be no explosion but what is above its point1 between that and the clouds4 ,if it be asked1 what thickness of a metalline rod may be supposed sufficient8 ,in answer1 ,i would remark1 that five large glass jars1 such as ,i have described in my former papers1 discharge a very great quantity of electricity1 which nevertheless will be all conducted round the corner of a book1 by the fine filleting of gold on the cover1 it following the gold the farthest way about1 rather than take the shorter course through the cover1 that not being so good a conductor4 ,now in this line of gold1 the metal is so extremely thin as to be little more than the colour of gold1 and on an octavo book is not in the whole an inch square1 and therefore not the thirty-sixth part of a grain1 according to ,m4 ,reaumur2 yet it is sufficient to conduct the charge of five large jars1 and how many more ,i know not4 ,now1 ,i suppose a wire of a quarter of an inch diameter to contain about five thousand times as much metal as there is in that gold line1 and if so1 it will conduct the charge of twenty-five thousand such glass jars1 which is a quantity1 ,i imagine1 far beyond what was ever contained in any one stroke of natural lightning4 ,but a rod of half an inch diameter would conduct four times as much as one of a quarter4 ,and with regard to conducting1 though a certain thickness of metal be required to conduct a great quantity of electricity1 and1 at the same time1 keep its own substance firm and unseparated2 and a less quantity1 as a very small wire for instance1 will be destroyed by the explosion2 yet such small wire will have answered the end of conducting that stroke1 though it become incapable of conducting another4 ,and considering the extreme rapidity with which the electric fluid moves without exploding1 when it has a free passage1 or compleat metal communication1 ,i should think a vast quantity would be conducted in a short time1 either to or from a cloud1 to restore its equilibrium with the earth1 by means of a very small wire2 and therefore thick rods should seem not so necessary4--,however1 as the quantity of lightning discharged in one stroke1 cannot well be measured1 and1 in different strokes1 is certainly very various1 in some much greater than others2 and as iron 7the best metal for the purpose1 being least apt to fuse7 is cheap1 it may be well enough to provide a larger canal to guide that impetuous blast than we imagine necessary3 for1 though one middling wire may be sufficient1 two or three can do no harm4 ,and time1 with careful observations well compared1 will at length point out the proper size to greater certainty4 ,pointed rods erected on edifices may likewise often prevent a stroke1 in the following manner3 ,an eye so situated as to view horizontally the under side of a thunder-cloud1 will see it very ragged1 with a number of separate fragments1 or petty clouds1 one under another1 the lowest sometimes not far from the earth4 ,these1 as so many stepping-stones1 assist in conducting a stroke between the cloud and a building4 ,to represent these by an experiment1 take two or three locks of fine loose cotton1 connect one of them with the prime conductor by a fine thread of two inches 7which may be spun out of the same lock by the fingers7 another to that1 and the third to the second1 by like threads4--,turn the globe and you will see these locks extend themselves towards the table 7as the lower small clouds do towards the earth7 being attracted by it3 but on presenting a sharp point erect under the lowest1 it will shrink up to the second1 the second to the first1 and all together to the prime conductor1 where they will continue as long as the point continues under them4 ,may not1 in like manner1 the small electrised clouds1 whose equilibrium with the earth is soon restored by the point1 rise up to the main body1 and by that means occasion so large a vacancy1 as that the grand cloud cannot strike in that place8 ,these thoughts1 my dear friend1 are many of them crude and hasty2 and if ,i were merely ambitious of acquiring some reputation in philosophy1 ,i ought to keep them by me1 till corrected and improved by time1 and farther experience4 ,but since even short hints and imperfect experiments in any new branch of science1 being communicated1 have oftentimes a good effect1 in exciting the attention of the ingenious to the subject1 and so become the occasion of more exact disquisition1 and more compleat discoveries1 you are at liberty to communicate this paper to whom you please2 it being of more importance that knowledge should increase1 than that your friend should be thought an accurate philosopher4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,additional ,proofs of the positive and negative ,state of ,electricity in the ,clouds4--,new ,method of ascertaining it4 ,philadelphia1 ,april #ah1 #aged4 ,,sir1 ,since ,september last1 having been abroad on two long journeys1 and otherwise much engaged1 ,i have made but few observations on the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds4 ,but ,mr4 ,kinnersley kept his rod and bells in good order1 and has made many4 ,once this winter the bells rang a long time1 during a fall of snow1 though no thunder was heard1 or lightning seen4 ,sometimes the flashes and cracks of the electric matter between bell and bell were so large and loud as to be heard all over the house3 but by all his observations1 the clouds were constantly in a negative state1 till about six weeks ago1 when he found them once to change in a few minutes from the negative to the positive4 ,about a fortnight after that1 he made another observation of the same kind2 and last ,monday afternoon1 the wind blowing hard at ,s4 ,e4 and veering round to ,n4 ,e4 with many thick driving clouds1 there were five or six successive changes from negative to positive1 and from positive to negative1 the bells stopping a minute or two between every change4 ,besides the methods mentioned in my paper of ,september last1 of discovering the electrical state of the clouds1 the following may be used4 ,when your bells are ringing1 pass a rubbed tube by the edge of the bell1 connected with your pointed rod3 if the cloud is then in a negative state1 the ringing will stop2 if in a positive state1 it will continue1 and perhaps be quicker4 ,or1 suspend a very small cork-ball by a fine silk thread1 so that it may hang close to the edge of the rod-bell3 then whenever the bell is electrified1 whether positively or negatively1 the little ball will be repelled1 and continue at some distance from the bell4 ,have ready a round-headed glass stopper of a decanter1 rub it on your side till it is electrified1 then present it to the cork-ball4 ,if the electricity in the ball is positive1 it will be repelled from the glass stopper as well as from the bell4 ,if negative1 it will fly to the stopper4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,electrical ,,experiments1 ,with an attempt to account for their several phnomena4 ,together with some observations on thunder-clouds1 in further confirmation of ,mr4 ,franklin's observations on the positive and negative electrical state of the clouds1 by ,john ,canton1 ,m4 ,a4 and ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,dec4 #f1 #agec4 ,,experiment ,i4 ,from the cieling1 or any convenient part of a room1 let two cork-balls1 each about the bigness of a small pea1 be suspended by linen threads of eight or nine inches in length1 so as to be in contact with each other4 ,bring the excited glass tube under the balls1 and they will be separated by it1 when held at the distance of three or four feet2 let it be brought nearer1 and they will stand farther apart2 entirely withdraw it1 and they will immediately come together4 ,this experiment may be made with very small brass balls hung by silver wire2 and will succeed as well with sealing-wax made electrical1 as with glass4 ,,experiment ,,ii4 ,if two cork-balls be suspended by dry silk threads1 the excited tube must be brought within eighteen inches before they will repel each other2 which they will continue to do1 for some time1 after the tube is taken away4 ,as the balls in the first experiment are not insulated1 they cannot properly be said to be electrified3 but when they hang within the atmosphere of the excited tube1 they may attract and condense the electrical fluid round about them1 and be separated by the repulsion of its particles4 ,it is conjectured also1 that the balls at this time contain less than their common share of the electrical fluid1 on account of the repelling power of that which surrounds them2 though some1 perhaps1 is continually entering and passing through the threads4 ,and if that be the case1 the reason is plain why the balls hung by silk1 in the second experiment1 must be in a much more dense part of the atmosphere of the tube1 before they will repel each other4 ,at the approach of an excited stick of wax to the balls1 in the first experiment1 the electrical fire is supposed to come through the threads into the balls1 and be condensed there1 in its passage towards the wax2 for1 according to ,mr4 ,franklin1 excited glass emits the electrical fluid1 but excited wax receives it4 ,,experiment ,,iii4 ,let a tin tube1 of four or five feet in length1 and about two inches in diameter1 be insulated by silk2 and from one end of it let the cork-balls be suspended by linen threads4 ,electrify it1 by bringing the excited glass tube near the other end1 so as that the balls may stand an inch and an half1 or two inches1 apart3 then1 at the approach of the excited tube1 they will1 by degrees1 lose their repelling power1 and come into contact2 and as the tube is brought still nearer1 they will separate again to as great a distance as before3 in the return of the tube they will approach each other till they touch1 and then repel as at first4 ,if the tin tube be electrified by wax1 or the wire of a charged phial1 the balls will be affected in the same manner at the approach of excited wax1 or the wire of the phial4 ,,experiment ,,iv4 ,electrify the cork-balls as in the last experiment by glass1 and at the approach of an excited stick of wax their repulsion will be increased4 ,the effect will be the same1 if the excited glass be brought towards them1 when they have been electrified by wax4 ,the bringing the excited glass to the end1 or edge of the tin-tube1 in the third experiment1 is supposed to electrify it positively1 or to add to the electrical fire it before contained2 and therefore some will be running off through the balls1 and they will repel each other4 ,but at the approach of excited glass1 which likewise emits the electrical fluid1 the discharge of it from the balls will be diminished2 or part will be driven back1 by a force acting in a contrary direction3 and they will come nearer together4 ,if the tube be held at such a distance from the balls1 that the excess of the density of the fluid round about them1 above the common quantity in air1 be equal to the excess of the density of that within them1 above the common quantity contained in cork2 their repulsion will be quite destroyed4 ,but if the tube be brought nearer2 the fluid without being more dense than that within the balls1 it will be attracted by them1 and they will recede from each other again4 ,when the apparatus has lost part of its natural share of this fluid1 by the approach of excited wax to one end of it1 or is electrified negatively2 the electrical fire is attracted and imbibed by the balls to supply the deficiency2 and that more plentifully at the approach of excited glass2 or a body positively electrified1 than before2 whence the distance between the balls will be increased1 as the fluid surrounding them is augmented4 ,and in general1 whether by the approach or recess of any body2 if the difference between the density of the internal and external fluid be increased1 or diminished2 the repulsion of the balls will be increased1 or diminished1 accordingly4 ,,experiment ,v4 ,when the insulated tin tube is not electrified1 bring the excited glass tube towards the middle of it1 so as to be nearly at right angles with it1 and the balls at the end will repel each other2 and the more so1 as the excited tube is brought nearer4 ,when it has been held a few seconds1 at the distance of about six inches1 withdraw it1 and the balls will approach each other till they touch2 and then separating again1 as the tube is moved farther off1 will continue to repel when it is taken quite away4 ,and this repulsion between the balls will be increased by the approach of excited glass1 but diminished by excited wax2 just as if the apparatus had been electrified by wax1 after the manner described in the third experiment4 ,,experiment ,,vi4 ,insulate two tin tubes1 distinguished by ,a and ,b1 so as to be in a line with each other1 and about half an inch apart2 and at the remote end of each1 let a pair of cork balls be suspended4 ,towards the middle of ,a1 bring the excited glass tube1 and holding it a short time1 at the distance of a few inches1 each pair of balls will be observed to separate3 withdraw the tube1 and the balls of ,a will come together1 and then repel each other again2 but those of ,b will hardly be affected4 ,by the approach of the excited glass tube1 held under the balls of ,a1 their repulsion will be increased3 but if the tube be brought1 in the same manner1 towards the balls of ,b1 their repulsion will be diminished4 ,in the fifth experiment1 the common stock of electrical matter in the tin tube1 is supposed to be attenuated about the middle1 and to be condensed at the ends1 by the repelling power of the atmosphere of the excited glass tube1 when held near it4 ,and perhaps the tin tube may lose some of its natural quantity of the electrical fluid1 before it receives any from the glass2 as that fluid will more readily run off from the ends and edges of it1 than enter at the middle3 and accordingly1 when the glass tube is withdrawn1 and the fluid is again equally diffused through the apparatus1 it is found to be electrified negatively3 for excited glass brought under the balls will increase their repulsion4 ,in the sixth experiment1 part of the fluid driven out of one tin tube enters the other2 which is found to be electrified positively1 by the decreasing of the repulsion of its balls1 at the approach of excited glass4 ,,experiment ,,vii4 ,let the tin tube1 with a pair of balls at one end1 be placed three feet at least from any part of the room1 and the air rendered very dry by means of a fire3 electrify the apparatus to a considerable degree2 then touch the tin tube with a finger1 or any other conductor1 and the balls will1 notwithstanding1 continue to repel each other2 though not at so great a distance as before4 ,the air surrounding the apparatus to the distance of two or three feet1 is supposed to contain more or less of the electrical fire1 than its common share1 as the tin tube is electrified positively1 or negatively2 and when very dry1 may not part with its overplus1 or have its deficiency supplied so suddenly1 as the tin2 but may continue to be electrified1 after that has been touched for a considerable time4 ,,experiment ,,viii4 ,having made the ,torricellian vacuum about five feet long1 after the manner described in the ,philosophical ,transactions1 vol4 xlvii4 p4 #cgj1 if the excited tube be brought within a small distance of it1 a light will be seen through more than half its length2 which soon vanishes1 if the tube be not brought nearer2 but will appear again1 as that is moved farther off4 ,this may be repeated several times1 without exciting the tube afresh4 ,this experiment may be considered as a kind of ocular demonstration of the truth of ,mr4 ,franklin's hypothesis2 that when the electrical fluid is condensed on one side of thin glass1 it will be repelled from the other1 if it meets with no resistance4 ,according to which1 at the approach of the excited tube1 the fire is supposed to be repelled from the inside of the glass surrounding the vacuum1 and to be carried off through the columns of mercury2 but1 as the tube is withdrawn1 the fire is supposed to return4 ,,experiment ,,ix4 ,let an excited stick of wax1 of two feet and an half in length1 and about an inch in diameter1 be held near its middle4 ,excite the glass tube1 and draw it over one half of it2 then1 turning it a little about its axis1 let the tube be excited again1 and drawn over the same half2 and let this operation be repeated several times3 then will that half destroy the repelling power of balls electrified by glass1 and the other half will increase it4 ,by this experiment it appears1 that wax also may be electrified positively and negatively4 ,and it is probable1 that all bodies whatsoever may have the quantity they contain of the electrical fluid1 increased1 or diminished4 ,the clouds1 ,i have observed1 by a great number of experiments1 to be some in a positive1 and others in a negative state of electricity4 ,for the cork balls1 electrified by them1 will sometimes close at the approach of excited glass2 and at other times be separated to a greater distance4 ,and this change ,i have known to happen five or six times in less than half an hour2 the balls coming together each time and remaining in contact a few seconds1 before they repel each other again4 ,it may likewise easily be discovered1 by a charged phial1 whether the electrical fire be drawn out of the apparatus by a negative cloud1 or forced into it by a positive one3 and by which soever it be electrified1 should that cloud either part with its overplus1 or have its deficiency supplied suddenly1 the apparatus will lose its electricity3 which is frequently observed to be the case1 immediately after a flash of lightning4 ,yet when the air is very dry1 the apparatus will continue to be electrised for ten minutes1 or a quarter of an hour1 after the clouds have passed the zenith2 and sometimes till they appear more than half-way towards the horizon4 ,rain1 especially when the drops are large1 generally brings down the electrical fire3 and hail1 in summer1 ,i believe never fails4 ,when the apparatus was last electrified1 it was by the fall of thawing snow1 which happened so lately1 as on the #abth of ,november2 that being the twenty-sixth day1 and sixty-first time it has been electrified1 since it was first set up2 which was about the middle of ,may4 ,and as ,fahrenheit's thermometer was but seven degrees above freezing1 it is supposed the winter will not entirely put a stop to observations of this sort4 ,at ,london1 no more than two thunder-storms have happened during the whole summer2 and the apparatus was sometimes so strongly electrified in one of them1 that the bells1 which have been frequently rung by the clouds1 so loud as to be heard in every room of the house 7the doors being open7 were silenced by the almost constant stream of dense electrical fire1 between each bell and the brass ball1 which would not suffer it to strike4 ,i shall conclude this paper1 already too long1 with the following queries3 #a4 ,may not air1 suddenly rarefied1 give electrical fire to1 and air suddenly condensed1 receive electrical fire from1 clouds and vapours passing through it8 #b4 ,is not the aurora borealis1 the flashing of electrical fire from positive1 towards negative clouds at a great distance1 through the upper part of the atmosphere1 where the resistance is least8 ,,experiments ,made in ,pursuance of those made by ,mr4 ,canton1 dated ,december #f1 #agec2 with ,explanations1 by ,mr4 ,benjamin ,franklin4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,dec4 #ah1 #agee4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #ad1 #agee4 ,,principles4 ,i4 ,electric atmospheres1 that flow round non-electric bodies1 being brought near each other1 do not readily mix and unite into one atmosphere1 but remain separate1 and repel each other4 ,this is plainly seen in suspended cork balls1 and other bodies electrified4 ,,ii4 ,an electric atmosphere not only repels another electric atmosphere1 but will also repel the electric matter contained in the substance of a body approaching it2 and without joining or mixing with it1 force it to other parts of the body that contained it4 ,this is shewn by some of the following experiments4 ,,iii4 ,bodies electrified negatively1 or deprived of their natural quantity of electricity1 repel each other1 7or at least appear to do so1 by a mutual receding7 as well as those electrified positively1 or which have electric atmospheres4 ,this is shewn by applying the negatively charged wire of a phial to two cork balls1 suspended by silk threads1 and many other experiments4 ,,preparation4 ,fix a tassel of fifteen or twenty threads1 three inches long1 at one end of a tin prime conductor 7mine is about five feet long1 and four inches diameter7 supported by silk lines4 ,let the threads be a little damp1 but not wet4 ,,experiment ,i4 ,pass an excited glass tube near the other end of the prime conductor1 so as to give it some sparks1 and the threads will diverge4 ,because each thread1 as well as the prime conductor1 has acquired an electric atmosphere1 which repels and is repelled by the atmospheres of the other threads3 if those several atmospheres would readily mix1 the threads might unite1 and hang in the middle of one atmosphere1 common to them all4 ,rub the tube afresh1 and approach the prime conductor therewith1 crossways1 near that end1 but not nigh enough to give sparks2 and the threads will diverge a little more4 ,because the atmosphere of the prime conductor is pressed by the atmosphere of the excited tube1 and driven towards the end where the threads are1 by which each thread acquires more atmosphere4 ,withdraw the tube1 and they will close as much4 ,they close as much1 and no more2 because the atmosphere of the glass tube not having mixed with the atmosphere of the prime conductor1 is withdrawn intire1 having made no addition to1 or diminution from it4 ,bring the excited tube under the tuft of threads1 and they will close a little4 ,they close1 because the atmosphere of the glass tube repels their atmospheres1 and drives part of them back on the prime conductor4 ,withdraw it1 and they will diverge as much4 ,for the portion of atmosphere which they had lost1 returns to them again4 ,,experiment ,,ii4 ,excite the glass tube1 and approach the prime conductor with it1 holding it across1 near the end opposite to that on which the threads hang1 at the distance of five or six inches4 ,keep it there a few seconds1 and the threads of the tassels will diverge4 ,withdraw it1 and they will close4 ,they diverge1 because they have received electric atmospheres from the electric matter before contained in the substance of the prime conductor2 but which is now repelled and driven away1 by the atmosphere of the glass tube1 from the parts of the prime conductor opposite and nearest to that atmosphere1 and forced out upon the surface of the prime conductor at its other end1 and upon the threads hanging thereto4 ,were it any part of the atmosphere of the glass tube that flowed over and along the prime conductor to the threads1 and gave them atmospheres 7as is the case when a spark is given to the prime conductor from the glass tube7 such part of the tube's atmosphere would have remained1 and the threads continue to diverge2 but they close on withdrawing the tube1 because the tube takes with it all its own atmosphere1 and the electric matter1 which had been driven out of the substance of the prime conductor1 and formed atmospheres round the threads1 is thereby permitted to return to its place4 ,take a spark from the prime conductor near the threads1 when they are diverged as before1 and they will close4 ,for by so doing you take away their atmospheres1 composed of the electric matter driven out of the substance of the prime conductor1 as aforesaid1 by the repellency of the atmosphere of the glass tube4 ,by taking this spark you rob the prime conductor of part of its natural quantity of the electric matter2 which part so taken is not supplied by the glass tube1 for when that is afterwards withdrawn1 it takes with it its whole atmosphere1 and leaves the prime conductor electrised negatively1 as appears by the next operation4 ,then withdraw the tube1 and they will open again4 ,for now the electric matter in the prime conductor1 returning to its equilibrium1 or equal diffusion1 in all parts of its substance1 and the prime conductor having lost some of its natural quantity1 the threads connected with it lose part of theirs1 and so are electrised negatively1 and therefore repel each other1 by ,pr4 ,,iii4 ,approach the prime conductor with the tube near the same place as at first1 and they will close again4 ,because the part of their natural quantity of electric fluid1 which they had lost1 is now restored to them again1 by the repulsion of the glass tube forcing that fluid to them from other parts of the prime conductor2 so they are now again in their natural state4 ,withdraw it1 and they will open again4 ,for what had been restored to them1 is now taken from them again1 flowing back into the prime conductor1 and leaving them once more electrised negatively4 ,bring the excited tube under the threads1 and they will diverge more4 ,because more of their natural quantity is driven from them into the prime conductor1 and thereby their negative electricity increased4 ,,experiment ,,iii4 ,the prime conductor not being electrified1 bring the excited tube under the tassel1 and the threads will diverge4 ,part of their natural quantity is thereby driven out of them into the prime conductor1 and they become negatively electrised1 and therefore repel each other4 ,keeping the tube in the same place with one hand1 attempt to touch the threads with the finger of the other hand1 and they will recede from the finger4 ,because the finger being plunged into the atmosphere of the glass tube1 as well as the threads1 part of its natural quantity is driven back through the hand and body1 by that atmosphere1 and the finger becomes1 as well as the threads1 negatively electrised1 and so repels1 and is repelled by them4 ,to confirm this1 hold a slender light lock of cotton1 two or three inches long1 near a prime conductor1 that is electrified by a glass globe1 or tube4 ,you will see the cotton stretch itself out towards the prime conductor4 ,attempt to touch it with the finger of the other hand1 and it will be repelled by the finger4 ,approach it with a positively charged wire of a bottle1 and it will fly to the wire4 ,bring it near a negatively charged wire of a bottle1 it will recede from that wire in the same manner that it did from the finger2 which demonstrates the finger to be negatively electrised1 as well as the lock of cotton so situated4 ,turkey killed by ,electricity4--,effect of a ,shock on the ,operator in making the ,experiment4 ,as ,mr4 ,franklin1 in a former letter to ,mr4 ,collinson1 mentioned his intending to try the power of a very strong electrical shock upon a turkey1 that gentleman accordingly has been so very obliging as to send an account of it1 which is to the following purpose4 ,he made first several experiments on fowls1 and found1 that two large thin glass jars gilt1 holding each about six gallons1 were sufficient1 when fully charged1 to kill common hens outright2 but the turkeys1 though thrown into violent convulsions1 and then lying as dead for some minutes1 would recover in less than a quarter of an hour4 ,however1 having added three other such to the former two1 though not fully charged1 he killed a turkey of about ten pounds weight1 and believes that they would have killed a much larger4 ,he conceited1 as himself says1 that the birds killed in this manner eat uncommonly tender4 ,in making these experiments1 he found1 that a man could1 without great detriment1 bear a much greater shock than he had imagined3 for he inadvertently received the stroke of two of these jars through his arms and body1 when they were very near fully charged4 ,it seemed to him an universal blow throughout the body from head to foot1 and was followed by a violent quick trembling in the trunk1 which went off gradually1 in a few seconds4 ,it was some minutes before he could recollect his thoughts1 so as to know what was the matter2 for he did not see the flash1 though his eye was on the spot of the prime conductor1 from whence it struck the back of his hand2 nor did he hear the crack1 though the by-standers said it was a loud one2 nor did he particularly feel the stroke on his hand1 though he afterwards found it had raised a swelling there1 of the bigness of half a pistol-bullet4 ,his arms and the back of the neck felt somewhat numbed the remainder of the evening1 and his breast was sore for a week after as if it had been bruised4 ,from this experiment may be seen the danger1 even under the greatest caution1 to the operator1 when making these experiments with large jars2 for it is not to be doubted1 but several of these fully charged would as certainly1 by increasing them1 in proportion to the size1 kill a man1 as they before did a turkey4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the original of this letter1 which was read at the ,royal ,society1 has been mislaid4 ,,to ,,dr4 ,l----#fe1 ,,at ,,charles ,,town1 ,,south ,,carolina4 ,differences in the ,qualities of ,glass4--,account of ,domien1 an ,electrician and ,traveller4--,conjectures respecting the ,pores of ,glass4--,origin of the ,author's ,idea of drawing down ,lightning4--,no satisfactory ,hypothesis respecting the ,manner in which ,clouds become electrified4--,six ,men knocked down at once by an electrical ,shock4--,reflections on the ,spirit of ,invention4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #ah1 #agee4 ,,sir1 ,i send you enclosed a paper containing some new experiments ,i have made1 in pursuance of those by ,mr4 ,canton that are printed with my last letters4 ,i hope these1 with my explanation of them1 will afford you some entertainment#ff4 ,in answer to your several enquiries4 ,the tubes and globes we use here1 are chiefly made here4 ,the glass has a greenish cast1 but is clear and hard1 and1 ,i think1 better for electrical experiments than the white glass of ,london1 which is not so hard4 ,there are certainly great differences in glass4 ,a white globe ,i had made here some years since1 would never1 by any means1 be excited4 ,two of my friends tried it1 as well as myself1 without success4 ,at length1 putting it on an electric stand1 a chain from the prime conductor being in contact with it1 ,i found it had the properties of a non-electric2 for ,i could draw sparks from any part of it1 though it was very clean and dry4 ,all ,i know of ,domien1 is1 that by his own account he was a native of ,transylvania1 of ,tartar descent1 but a priest of the ,greek church3 he spoke and wrote ,latin very readily and correctly4 ,he set out from his own country with an intention of going round the world1 as much as possible by land4 ,he travelled through ,germany1 ,france1 and ,holland1 to ,england4 ,resided some time at ,oxford4 ,from ,england he came to ,maryland2 thence went to ,new ,england2 returned by land to ,philadelphia2 and from hence travelled through ,maryland1 ,virginia1 and ,north ,carolina to you4 ,he thought it might be of service to him in his travels to know something of electricity4 ,i taught him the use of the tube2 how to charge the ,leyden phial1 and some other experiments4 ,he wrote to me from ,charles-,town1 that he had lived eight hundred miles upon electricity1 it had been meat1 drink1 and cloathing to him4 ,his last letter to me was1 ,i think1 from ,jamaica1 desiring me to send the tubes you mention1 to meet him at the ,havannah1 from whence he expected to get a passage to ,la ,vera ,cruz2 designed travelling over land through ,mexico to ,acapulco2 thence to get a passage to ,manilla1 and so through ,china1 ,india1 ,persia1 and ,turkey1 home to his own country2 proposing to support himself chiefly by electricity4 ,a strange project6 ,but he was1 as you observe1 a very singular character4 ,i was sorry the tubes did not get to the ,havannah in time for him4 ,if they are still in being1 please to send for them1 and accept of them4 ,what became of him afterwards ,i have never heard4 ,he promised to write to me as often as he could on his journey1 and as soon as he should get home after finishing his tour4 ,it is now seven years since he was here4 ,if he is still in ,new ,spain1 as you imagine from that loose report1 ,i suppose it must be that they confine him there1 and prevent his writing3 but ,i think it more likely that he may be dead4 ,the questions you ask about the pores of glass1 ,i cannot answer otherwise1 than that ,i know nothing of their nature2 and suppositions1 however ingenious1 are often mere mistakes4 ,my hypothesis1 that they were smaller near the middle of the glass1 too small to admit the passage of electricity1 which could pass through the surface till it came near the middle1 was certainly wrong3 ,for soon after ,i had written that letter1 ,i did1 in order to confirm the hypothesis 7which indeed ,i ought to have done before ,i wrote it7 make an experiment4 ,i ground away five-sixths of the thickness of the glass1 from the side of one of my phials1 expecting that the supposed denser part being so removed1 the electric fluid might come through the remainder of the glass1 which ,i had imagined more open2 but ,i found myself mistaken4 ,the bottle charged as well after the grinding as before4 ,i am now1 as much as ever1 at a loss to know how or where the quantity of electric fluid1 on the positive side of the glass1 is disposed of4 ,as to the difference of conductors1 there is not only this1 that some will conduct electricity in small quantities1 and yet do not conduct it fast enough to produce the shock2 but even among those that will conduct a shock1 there are some that do it better than others4 ,mr4 ,kinnersley has found1 by a very good experiment1 that when the charge of a bottle hath an opportunity of passing two ways1 i4 e4 straight through a trough of water ten feet long1 and six inches square2 or round about through twenty feet of wire1 it passes through the wire1 and not through the water1 though that is the shortest course2 the wire being the better conductor4 ,when the wire is taken away1 it passes through the water1 as may be felt by a hand plunged in the water2 but it cannot be felt in the water when the wire is used at the same time4 ,thus1 though a small phial containing water will give a smart shock1 one containing the same quantity of mercury will give one much stronger1 the mercury being the better conductor2 while one containing oil1 only1 will scarce give any shock at all4 ,your question1 how ,i came first to think of proposing the experiment of drawing down the lightning1 in order to ascertain its sameness with the electric fluid1 ,i cannot answer better than by giving you an extract from the minutes ,i used to keep of the experiments ,i made1 with memorandums of such as ,i purposed to make1 the reasons for making them1 and the observations that arose upon them1 from which minutes my letters were afterwards drawn4 ,by this extract you will see that the thought was not so much an out-of-the-way one1 but that it might have occurred to an electrician4 ,nov4 #g1 #agdi4 ,electrical fluid agrees with lightning in these particulars3 #a4 ,giving light4 #b4 ,colour of the light4 #c4 ,crooked direction4 #d4 ,swift motion4 #e4 ,being conducted by metals4 #f4 ,crack or noise in exploding4 #g4 ,subsisting in water or ice4 #h4 ,rending bodies it passes through4 #i4 ,destroying animals4 #aj4 ,melting metals4 #aa4 ,firing inflammable substances4 #ab4 ,sulphureous smell4--,the electric fluid is attracted by points4--,we do not know whether this property is in lightning4--,but since they agree in all the particulars wherein we can already compare them1 is it not probable they agree likewise in this8--,let the experiment be made4 ,i wish ,i could give you any satisfaction in the article of clouds4 ,i am still at a loss about the manner in which they become charged with electricity2 no hypothesis ,i have yet formed perfectly satisfying me4 ,some time since1 ,i heated very hot a brass plate1 two feet square1 and placed it on an electric stand4 ,from the plate a wire extended horizontally four or five feet1 and1 at the end of it1 hung1 by linen threads1 a pair of cork balls4 ,i then repeatedly sprinkled water over the plate1 that it might be raised from it in vapour1 hoping that if the vapour either carried off the electricity of the plate1 or left behind it that of the water 7one of which ,i supposed it must do1 if1 like the clouds1 it became electrised itself1 either positively or negatively7 ,i should perceive and determine it by the separation of the balls1 and by finding whether they were positive or negative2 but no alteration was made at all1 nor could ,i perceive that the steam was itself electrised1 though ,i have still some suspicion that the steam was not fully examined1 and ,i think the experiment should be repeated4 ,whether the first state of electrised clouds is positive or negative1 if ,i could find the cause of that1 ,i should be at no loss about the other1 for either is easily deduced from the other1 as one state is easily produced by the other4 ,a strongly positive cloud may drive out of a neighbouring cloud much of its natural quantity of the electric fluid1 and1 passing by it1 leave it in a negative state4 ,in the same way1 a strongly negative cloud may occasion a neighbouring cloud to draw into itself from others1 an additional quantity1 and1 passing by it1 leave it in a positive state4 ,how these effects may be produced1 you will easily conceive1 on perusing and considering the experiments in the enclosed paper3 and from them too it appears probable1 that every change from positive to negative1 and from negative to positive1 that1 during a thunder-gust1 we see in the cork-balls annexed to the apparatus1 is not owing to the presence of clouds in the same state1 but often to the absence of positive or negative clouds1 that1 having just passed1 leave the rod in the opposite state4 ,the knocking down of the six men was performed with two of my large jars not fully charged4 ,i laid one end of my discharging rod upon the head of the first2 he laid his hand on the head of the second2 the second his hand on the head of the third1 and so to the last1 who held1 in his hand1 the chain that was connected with the outside of the jars4 ,when they were thus placed1 ,i applied the other end of my rod to the prime conductor1 and they all dropped together4 ,when they got up1 they all declared they had not felt any stroke1 and wondered how they came to fall2 nor did any of them either hear the crack1 or see the light of it4 ,you suppose it a dangerous experiment2 but ,i had once suffered the same myself1 receiving1 by accident1 an equal stroke through my head1 that struck me down1 without hurting me3 and ,i had seen a young woman that was about to be electrified through the feet 7for some indisposition7 receive a greater charge through the head1 by inadvertently stooping forward to look at the placing of her feet1 till her forehead 7as she was very tall7 came too near my prime conductor3 she dropped1 but instantly got up again1 complaining of nothing4 ,a person so struck1 sinks down doubled1 or folded together as it were1 the joints losing their strength and stiffness at once1 so that he drops on the spot where he stood1 instantly1 and there is no previous staggering1 nor does he ever fall lengthwise4 ,too great charge might1 indeed1 kill a man1 but ,i have not yet seen any hurt done by it4 ,it would certainly1 as you observe1 be the easiest of all deaths4 ,the experiment you have heard so imperfect an account of1 is merely this3 ,i electrified a silver pint can1 on an electric stand1 and then lowered into it a cork ball1 of about an inch diameter1 hanging by a silk string1 till the cork touched the bottom of the can4 ,the cork was not attracted to the inside of the can as it would have been to the outside1 and though it touched the bottom1 yet1 when drawn out1 it was not found to be electrified by that touch1 as it would have been by touching the outside4 ,the fact is singular4 ,you require the reason2 ,i do not know it4 ,perhaps you may discover it1 and then you will be so good as to communicate it to me#fg4 ,i find a frank acknowledgment of one's ignorance is not only the easiest way to get rid of a difficulty1 but the likeliest way to obtain information1 and therefore ,i practise it3 ,i think it an honest policy4 ,those who affect to be thought to know every thing1 and so undertake to explain every thing1 often remain long ignorant of many things that others could and would instruct them in1 if they appeared less conceited4 ,the treatment your friend has met with is so common1 that no man who knows what the world is1 and ever has been1 should expect to escape it4 ,there are every where a number of people1 who1 being totally destitute of any inventive faculty themselves1 do not readily conceive that others may possess it3 they think of inventions as of miracles2 there might be such formerly1 but they are ceased4 ,with these1 every one who offers a new invention is deemed a pretender3 he had it from some other country1 or from some book3 a man of their own acquaintance2 one who has no more sense than themselves1 could not possibly1 in their opinion1 have been the inventor of any thing4 ,they are confirmed1 too1 in these sentiments1 by frequent instances of pretensions to invention1 which vanity is daily producing4 ,that vanity too1 though an incitement to invention1 is1 at the same time1 the pest of inventors4 ,jealousy and envy deny the merit or the novelty of your invention2 but vanity1 when the novelty and merit are established1 claims it for its own4 ,the smaller your invention is1 the more mortification you receive in having the credit of it disputed with you by a rival1 whom the jealousy and envy of others are ready to support against you1 at least so far as to make the point doubtful4 ,it is not in itself of importance enough for a dispute2 no one would think your proofs and reasons worth their attention3 and yet1 if you do not dispute the point1 and demonstrate your right1 you not only lose the credit of being in that instance ingenious1 but you suffer the disgrace of not being ingenuous2 not only of being a plagiary1 but of being a plagiary for trifles4 ,had the invention been greater it would have disgraced you less2 for men have not so contemptible an idea of him that robs for gold on the highway1 as of him that can pick pockets for half-pence and farthings4 ,thus1 through envy1 jealousy1 and the vanity of competitors for fame1 the origin of many of the most extraordinary inventions1 though produced within but a few centuries past1 is involved in doubt and uncertainty4 ,we scarce know to whom we are indebted for the compass1 and for spectacles1 nor have even paper and printing1 that record every thing else1 been able to preserve with certainty the name and reputation of their inventors4 ,one would not1 therefore1 of all faculties1 or qualities of the mind1 wish1 for a friend1 or a child1 that he should have that of invention4 ,for his attempts to benefit mankind in that way1 however well imagined1 if they do not succeed1 expose him1 though very unjustly1 to general ridicule and contempt2 and1 if they do succeed1 to envy1 robbery1 and abuse4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #fe ,dr4 ,lining4--,,editor4 #ff ,see page #bhf1 for the paper here mentioned4 #fg ,mr4 ,f4 has since thought1 that1 possibly1 the mutual repulsion of the inner opposite sides of the electrised can may prevent the accumulating an electric atmosphere upon them1 and occasion it to stand chiefly on the outside4 ,but recommends it to the farther examination of the curious4 ,,to ,,mons4 ,,dalibard1 ,,at ,,paris1 ,,inclosed ,,in ,a ,,letter ,,to ,,mr4 ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,beccaria's ,work on ,electricity4--,sentiments of ,franklin on pointed ,rods1 not fully understood in ,europe4--,effect of ,lightning on the ,church of ,newbury1 in ,new ,england4--,remarks on the ,subject4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,dec4 #ah1 #agee4 ,philadelphia1 ,june #bi1 #agee4 ,,sir1 ,you desire my opinion of ,pere ,beccaria's ,italian book#fh4 ,i have read it with much pleasure1 and think it one of the best pieces on the subject that ,i have seen in any language4 ,yet as to the article of water-spouts1 ,i am not at present of his sentiments2 though ,i must own with you1 that he has handled it very ingeniously4 ,mr4 ,collinson has my opinion of whirlwinds and water-spouts at large1 written some time since4 ,i know not whether they will be published2 if not1 ,i will get them transcribed for your perusal#fi4 ,it does not appear to me that ,pere ,beccaria doubts of the absolute impermeability of glass in the sense ,i meant it2 for the instances he gives of holes made through glass by the electric stroke are such as we have all experienced1 and only show that the electric fluid could not pass without making a hole4 ,in the same manner we say1 glass is impermeable to water1 and yet a stream from a fire-engine will force through the strongest panes of a window4 ,as to the effect of points in drawing the electric matter from clouds1 and thereby securing buildings1 c4 which1 you say1 he seems to doubt1 ,i must own ,i think he only speaks modestly and judiciously4 ,i find ,i have been but partly understood in that matter4 ,i have mentioned it in several of my letters1 and except once1 always in the alternative1 viz4 that pointed rods erected on buildings1 and communicating with the moist earth1 would either prevent a stroke1 or1 if not prevented1 would conduct it1 so as that the building should suffer no damage4 ,yet whenever my opinion is examined in ,europe1 nothing is considered but the probability of those rods preventing a stroke or explosion1 which is only a part of the use ,i proposed for them2 and the other part1 their conducting a stroke1 which they may happen not to prevent1 seems to be totally forgotten1 though of equal importance and advantage4 ,i thank you for communicating ,m4 de ,buffon's relation of the effect of lightning at ,dijon1 on the #gth of ,june last4 ,in return1 give me leave to relate an instance ,i lately saw of the same kind4 ,being in the town of ,newbury in ,new ,england1 in ,november last1 ,i was shewn the effect of lightning on their church1 which had been struck a few months before4 ,the steeple was a square tower of wood1 reaching seventy feet up from the ground to the place where the bell hung1 over which rose a taper spire1 of wood likewise1 reaching seventy feet higher1 to the vane of the weather-cock4 ,near the bell was fixed an iron hammer to strike the hours2 and from the tail of the hammer a wire went down through a small gimlet-hole in the floor that the bell stood upon1 and through a second floor in like manner2 then horizontally under and near the plaistered cieling of that second floor1 till it came near a plaistered wall2 then down by the side of that wall to a clock1 which stood about twenty feet below the bell4 ,the wire was not bigger than a common knitting-needle4 ,the spire was split all to pieces by the lightning1 and the parts flung in all directions over the square in which the church stood1 so that nothing remained above the bell4 ,the lightning passed between the hammer and the clock in the above-mentioned wire1 without hurting either of the floors1 or having any effect upon them 7except making the gimlet-holes1 through which the wire passed1 a little bigger17 and without hurting the plaistered wall1 or any part of the building1 so far as the aforesaid wire and the pendulum wire of the clock extended2 which latter wire was about the thickness of a goose-quill4 ,from the end of the pendulum1 down quite to the ground1 the building was exceedingly rent and damaged1 and some stones in the foundation-wall torn out1 and thrown to the distance of twenty or thirty feet4 ,no part of the afore-mentioned long small wire1 between the clock and the hammer1 could be found1 except about two inches that hung to the tail of the hammer1 and about as much that was fastened to the clock2 the rest being exploded1 and its particles dissipated in smoke and air1 as gunpowder is by common fire1 and had only left a black smutty track on the plaistering1 three or four inches broad1 darkest in the middle1 and fainter toward the edges1 all along the cieling1 under which it passed1 and down the wall4 ,these were the effects and appearances2 on which ,i would only make the few following remarks1 viz4 #a4 ,that lightning1 in its passage through a building1 will leave wood to pass as far as it can in metal1 and not enter the wood again till the conductor of metal ceases4 ,and the same ,i have observed in other instances1 as to walls of brick or stone4 #b4 ,the quantity of lightning that passed through this steeple must have been very great1 by its effects on the lofty spire above the bell1 and on the square tower all below the end of the clock pendulum4 #c4 ,great as this quantity was1 it was conducted by a small wire and a clock pendulum1 without the least damage to the building so far as they extended4 #d4 ,the pendulum rod being of a sufficient thickness1 conducted the lightning without damage to itself2 but the small wire was utterly destroyed4 #e4 ,though the small wire was itself destroyed1 yet it had conducted the lightning with safety to the building4 #f4 ,and from the whole it seems probable1 that if even such a small wire had been extended from the spindle of the vane to the earth1 before the storm1 no damage would have been done to the steeple by that stroke of lightning1 though the wire itself had been destroyed4 ,,footnotes3 #fh ,this work is written conformable to ,mr4 ,franklin's theory1 upon artificial and natural electricity1 which compose the two parts of it4 ,it was printed in ,italian1 at ,turin1 in #dto4 #agec2 between the two parts is a letter to the ,abb ,nollet1 in defence of ,mr4 ,franklin's system4 ,j4 ,bevis4 #fi ,these papers will be found in ,vol ,,ii4 ,editor4 ,,to ,,peter ,,collinson1 ,,esq4 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,,london4 ,notice of another ,packet of ,letters4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bc1 #agec4 ,,dear ,,friend4 ,in my last1 via ,virginia1 ,i promised to send you per next ship1 a small philosophical packet3 but now having got the materials 7old letters and rough drafts7 before me1 ,i fear you will find it a great one4 ,nevertheless1 as ,i am like to have a few days leisure before this ship sails1 which ,i may not have again in a long time1 ,i shall transcribe the whole1 and send it2 for you will be under no necessity of reading it all at once1 but may take it a little at a time1 now and then of a winter evening4 ,when you happen to have nothing else to do 7if that ever happens7 it may afford you some amusement#gj4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #gj ,these letters and papers are a philosophical correspondence between ,mr4 ,franklin and some of his ,american ,friends#ga4 ,mr4 ,collinson communicated them to the ,royal ,society1 where they were read at different meetings during the year #agef4 ,but ,mr4 ,franklin having particularly requested that they might not be printed1 none of them were inserted in the transactions4 ,mr4 ,f4 had at that time an intention of revising them1 and pursuing some of the enquiries farther2 but finding that he is not like to have sufficient leisure1 he has at length been induced1 imperfect as they are1 to permit their publication1 as some of the hints they contain may possibly be useful to others in their philosophical researches4 ,note in ,mr4 ,collinson's edition4 #ga ,as some of these papers are upon subjects not immediately connected with electricity1 we have taken such papers from the order in which they were placed by ,mr4 ,collinson1 and transferred them to other parts of the work4 ,editor4 ,extract of a ,letter from a ,gentleman in ,boston#gb1 to ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,esq4 concerning the crooked ,direction1 and the ,source of ,lightning1 and the ,swiftness of the electric ,fire4 ,boston1 ,dec4 #ba1 #agea4 ,,sir1 ,the experiments ,mr4 ,k4 has exhibited here1 have been greatly pleasing to all sorts of people that have seen them2 and ,i hope1 by the time he returns to ,philadelphia1 his tour this way will turn to good account4 ,his experiments are very curious1 and ,i think prove most effectually your doctrine of electricity2 that it is a real element1 annexed to1 and diffused among all bodies we are acquainted with2 that it differs in nothing from lightning1 the effects of both being similar1 and their properties1 so far as they are known1 the same1 c4 ,the remarkable effect of lightning on iron1 lately discovered1 in giving it the magnetic virtue1 and the same effect produced on small needles by the electrical fire1 is a further and convincing proof that they are both the same element2 but1 which is very unaccountable1 ,mr4 ,k4 tells me1 it is necessary to produce this effect1 that the direction of the needle and the electric fire should be north and south2 from either to the other1 and that just so far as they deviate therefrom1 the magnetic power in the needle is less1 till their direction being at right angles with the north and south1 the effect entirely ceases4 ,we made at ,faneuil ,hall1 where ,mr4 ,k----'s apparatus is1 several experiments to give some small needles the magnetic virtue2 previously examining1 by putting them in water1 on which they will be supported1 whether or not they had any of that virtue2 and ,i think we found all of them to have some small degree of it1 their points turning to the north3 we had nothing to do then but to invert the poles1 which accordingly was done1 by sending through them the charge of two large glass jars2 the eye of the needle turning to the north1 as the point before had done2 that end of the needle which the fire is thrown upon1 ,mr4 ,k4 tells me always points to the north4 ,the electrical fire passing through air has the same crooked direction as lightning#gc4 ,this appearance ,i endeavour to account for thus3 ,air is an electric per se1 therefore there must be a mutual repulsion betwixt air and the electrical fire4 ,a column or cylinder of air1 having the diameter of its base equal to the diameter of the electrical spark1 intervenes that part of the body which the spark is taken from1 and of the body it aims at4 ,the spark acts upon this column1 and is acted upon by it1 more strongly than any other neighbouring portion of air4 ,the column1 being thus acted upon1 becomes more dense1 and1 being more dense1 repels the spark more strongly2 its repellency being in proportion to its density3 ,having acquired1 by being condensed1 a degree of repellency greater than its natural1 it turns the spark out of its strait course2 the neighbouring air1 which must be less dense1 and therefore has a smaller degree of repellency1 giving it a more ready passage4 ,the spark1 having taken a new direction1 must now act on1 or most strongly repel the column of air which lies in that direction1 and consequently must condense that column in the same manner as the former1 when the spark must again change its course1 which course will be thus repeatedly changed1 till the spark reaches the body that attracted it4 ,to this account one objection occurs2 that as air is very fluid and elastic1 and so endeavours to diffuse itself equally1 the supposed accumulated air within the column aforesaid1 would be immediately diffused among the contiguous air1 and circulate to fill the space it was driven from2 and consequently that the said column1 on the greater density of which the phenomenon is supposed to depend1 would not repel the spark more strongly than the neighbouring air4 ,this might be an objection1 if the electrical fire was as sluggish and inactive as air4 ,air takes a sensible time to diffuse itself equally1 as is manifest from winds which often blow for a considerable time together from the same point1 and with a velocity even in the greatest storms1 not exceeding1 as it is said1 sixty miles an hour3 but the electric fire seems propagated instantaneously1 taking up no perceptible time in going very great distances4 ,it must then be an inconceivably short time in its progress from an electrified to an unelectrified body1 which1 in the present case1 can be but a few inches apart3 but this small portion of time is not sufficient for the elasticity of the air to exert itself1 and therefore the column aforesaid must be in a denser state than its neighbouring air4 ,about the velocity of the electric fire more is said below1 which perhaps may more fully obviate this objection4 ,but let us have recourse to experiments4 ,experiments will obviate all objections1 or confound the hypothesis4 ,the electric spark1 if the foregoing be true1 will pass through a vacuum in a right line4 ,to try this1 let a wire be fixed perpendicularly on the plate of an air pump1 having a leaden ball on its upper end2 let another wire1 passing through the top of a receiver1 have on each end a leaden ball2 let the leaden balls within the receiver1 when put on the air pump1 be within two or three inches of each other3 the receiver being exhausted1 the spark given from a charged phial to the upper wire will pass through rarefied air1 nearly approaching to a vacuum1 to the lower wire1 and ,i suppose in a right line1 or nearly so2 the small portion of air remaining in the receiver1 which cannot be entirely exhausted1 may possibly cause it to deviate a little1 but perhaps not sensibly1 from a right line4 ,the spark also might be made to pass through air greatly condensed1 which perhaps would give a still more crooked direction4 ,i have not had opportunity to make any experiments of this sort1 not knowing of an air-pump nearer than ,cambridge1 but you can easily make them4 ,if these experiments answer1 ,i think the crooked direction of lightning will be also accounted for4 ,with respect to your letters on electricity1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 994 ,your hypothesis in particular for explaining the phenomena of lightning is very ingenious4 ,that some clouds are highly charged with electrical fire1 and that their communicating it to those that have less1 to mountains and other eminencies1 makes it visible and audible1 when it is denominated lightning and thunder1 is highly probable3 but that the sea1 which you suppose the grand source of it1 can collect it1 ,i think admits of a doubt3 for though the sea be composed of salt and water1 an electric per se and non-electric1 and though the friction of electrics per se and non-electrics1 will collect that fire1 yet it is only under certain circumstances1 which water will not admit4 ,for it seems necessary1 that the electrics per se and non-electrics rubbing one another1 should be of such substances as will not adhere to1 or incorporate with each other4 ,thus a glass or sulphur sphere turned in water1 and so a friction between them1 will not collect any fire2 nor1 ,i suppose1 would a sphere of salt revolving in water2 the water adhering to1 or incorporating with those electrics per se4 ,but granting that the friction between salt and water would collect the electrical fire1 that fire1 being so extremely subtle and active1 would be immediately communicated1 either to those lower parts of the sea from which it was drawn1 and so only perform quick revolutions2 or be communicated to the adjacent islands or continent1 and so be diffused instantaneously through the general mass of the earth4 ,i say instantaneously1 for the greatest distances we can conceive within the limits of our globe1 even that of the two most opposite points1 it will take no sensible time in passing through3 and therefore it seems a little difficult to conceive how there can be any accumulation of the electrical fire upon the surface of the sea or how the vapours arising from the sea should have a greater share of that fire than other vapours4 ,that the progress of the electrical fire is so amazingly swift1 seems evident from an experiment you yourself 7not out of choice7 made1 when two or three large glass jars were discharged through your body4 ,you neither heard the crack1 was sensible of the stroke1 nor1 which is more extraordinary1 saw the light2 which gave you just reason to conclude1 that it was swifter than sound1 than animal sensation1 and even light itself4 ,now light 7as astronomers have demonstrated7 is about six minutes passing from the sun to the earth2 a distance1 they say1 of more than eighty millions of miles4 ,the greatest rectilinear distance within the compass of the earth is about eight thousand miles1 equal to its diameter4 ,supposing then1 that the velocity of the electric fire be the same as that of light1 it will go through a space equal to the earth's diameter in about #b_/fj of one second of a minute4 ,it seems inconceivable then1 that it should be accumulated upon the sea1 in its present state1 which1 as it is a non-electric1 must give the fire an instantaneous passage to the neighbouring shores1 and they convey it to the general mass of the earth4 ,but such accumulation seems still more inconceivable when the electrical fire has but a few feet depth of water to penetrate1 to return to the place from whence it is supposed to be collected4 ,your thoughts upon these remarks ,i shall receive with a great deal of pleasure4 ,i take notice that in the printed copies of your letters several things are wanting which are in the manuscript you sent me4 ,i understand by your son1 that you had writ1 or was writing1 a paper on the effect of the electrical fire on loadstones1 needles1 c4 which ,i would ask the favour of a copy of1 as well as of any other papers on electricity1 written since ,i had the manuscript1 for which ,i repeat my obligations to you4 ,i am1 c4 ,j4 ,b4 ,,footnotes3 #gb ,mr4 ,badouin4 ,editor4 #gc ,this is most easily observed in large strong sparks taken at some inches distance4 ,,to ,j4 ,b4 ,,at ,,boston4 ,observations on the ,subjects of the preceding ,letter4--,reasons for supposing the ,sea to be the grand source of ,lightning4--,reasons for doubting this hypothesis4--,improvement in a ,globe for raising the ,electric ,fire4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,may #bg1 #agef4 ,philadelphia1 ,jan4 #bd1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,i am glad to learn1 by your favour of the #bast past1 that ,mr4 ,kinnersley's lectures have been acceptable to the gentlemen of ,boston1 and are like to prove serviceable to himself4 ,i thank you for the countenance and encouragement you have so kindly afforded my fellow-citizen4 ,i send you enclosed an extract of a letter containing the substance of what ,i observed concerning the communication of magnetism to needles by electricity4 ,the minutes ,i took at the time of the experiments are mislaid4 ,i am very little acquainted with the nature of magnetism4 ,dr4 ,gawin ,knight1 inventor of the steel magnets1 has wrote largely on that subject1 but ,i have not yet had leisure to peruse his writings with the attention necessary to become master of his doctrine4 ,your explication of the crooked direction of lightning appears to me both ingenious and solid4 ,when we can account as satisfactorily for the electrification of clouds1 ,i think that branch of natural philosophy will be nearly complete4 ,the air1 undoubtedly1 obstructs the motion of the electric fluid4 ,dry air prevents the dissipation of an electric atmosphere1 the denser the more1 as in cold weather4 ,i question whether such an atmosphere can be retained by a body in vacuo4 ,a common electrical phial requires a non-electric communication from the wire to every part of the charged glass2 otherwise1 being dry and clean1 and filled with air only1 it charges slowly1 and discharges gradually1 by sparks1 without a shock3 but1 exhausted of air1 the communication is so open and free between the inserted wire and surface of the glass1 that it charges as readily1 and shocks as smartly as if filled with water3 and ,i doubt not1 but that in the experiment you propose1 the sparks would not only be near strait in vacuo1 but strike at a greater distance than in the open air1 though perhaps there would not be a loud explosion4 ,as soon as ,i have a little leisure1 ,i will make the experiment1 and send you the result4 ,my supposition1 that the sea might possibly be the grand source of lightning1 arose from the common observation of its luminous appearance in the night1 on the least motion2 an appearance never observed in fresh water4 ,then ,i knew that the electric fluid may be pumped up out of the earth1 by the friction of a glass globe1 on a non-electric cushion2 and that1 notwithstanding the surprising activity and swiftness of that fluid1 and the non-electric communication between all parts of the cushion and the earth1 yet quantities would be snatched up by the revolving surface of the globe1 thrown on the prime conductor1 and dissipated in air4 ,how this was done1 and why that subtle active spirit did not immediately return again from the globe1 into some part or other of the cushion1 and so into the earth1 was difficult to conceive2 but whether from its being opposed by a current setting upwards to the cushion1 or from whatever other cause1 that it did not so return was an evident fact4 ,then ,i considered the separate particles of water as so many hard spherules1 capable of touching the salt only in points1 and imagined a particle of salt could therefore no more be wet by a particle of water1 than a globe by a cushion2 that there might therefore be such a friction between these originally constituent particles of salt and water1 as in a sea of globes and cushions2 that each particle of water on the surface might obtain from the common mass1 some particles of the universally diffused1 much finer1 and more subtle electric fluid1 and forming to itself an atmosphere of those particles1 be repelled from the then generally electrified surface of the sea1 and fly away with them into the air4 ,i thought too1 that possibly the great mixture of particles electric per se1 in the ocean water1 might1 in some degree1 impede the swift motion and dissipation of the electric fluid1 through it to the shores1 c4--,but having since found1 that salt in the water of an electric phial does not lessen the shock2 and having endeavoured in vain to produce that luminous appearance from a mixture of salt and water agitated2 and observed1 that even the sea-water will not produce it after some hours standing in a bottle2 ,i suspect it to proceed from some principle yet unknown to us 7which ,i would gladly make some experiments to discover1 if ,i lived near the sea7 and ,i grow more doubtful of my former supposition1 and more ready to allow weight to that objection 7drawn from the activity of the electric fluid1 and the readiness of water to conduct7 which you have indeed stated with great strength and clearness4 ,in the mean time1 before we part with this hypothesis1 let us think what to substitute in its place4 ,i have sometimes queried whether the friction of the air1 an electric per se1 in violent winds1 among trees1 and against the surface of the earth1 might not pump up1 as so many glass globes1 quantities of the electric fluid1 which the rising vapours might receive from the air1 and retain in the clouds they form8 on which ,i should be glad to have your sentiments4 ,an ingenious friend of mine supposes the land-clouds more likely to be electrified than the sea-clouds4 ,i send his letter for your perusal1 which please to return me4 ,i have wrote nothing lately on electricity1 nor observed any thing new that is material1 my time being much taken up with other affairs4 ,yesterday ,i discharged four jars through a fine wire1 tied up between two strips of glass3 the wire was in part melted1 and the rest broke into small pieces1 from half an inch long1 to half a quarter of an inch4 ,my globe raises the electric fire with greater ease1 in much greater quantities1 by the means of a wire extended from the cushion1 to the iron pin of a pump handle behind my house1 which communicates by the pump spear with the water in the well4 ,by this post ,i send to 999999991 who is curious in that way1 some meteorological observations and conjectures1 and desire him to communicate them to you1 as they may afford you some amusement1 and ,i know you will look over them with a candid eye4 ,by throwing our occasional thoughts on paper1 we more readily discover the defects of our opinions1 or we digest them better and find new arguments to support them4 ,this ,i sometimes practise3 but such pieces are fit only to be seen by friends4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,from ,j4 ,b4 ,,esq4 ,,of ,,boston1 ,,to ,,benjamin ,,franklin1 ,,esq4 ,,at ,,philadelphia4 ,effect of ,lightning on ,captain ,waddel's ,compass1 and the ,dutch ,church at ,new ,york4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,june #c1 #agef4 ,boston1 ,march #b1 #ageb4 ,,sir1 ,i have received your favour of the #bdth of ,january past1 inclosing an extract from your letter to ,mr4 ,collinson1 and 99999999's letter to yourself1 which ,i have read with a great deal of pleasure1 and am much obliged to you for4 ,your extract confirms a correction ,mr4 ,kinnersley made a few days ago1 of a mistake ,i was under respecting the polarity given to needles by the electrical fire1 that the end which receives the fire always points north2 and1 that the needle being situated east and west1 will not have a polar direction4 ,you find1 however1 the polarity strongest when the needle is shocked lying north and south2 weakest when lying east and west2 which makes it probable that the communicated magnetism is less1 as the needle varies from a north and south situation4 ,as to the needle of ,captain ,waddel's compass1 if its polarity was reversed by the lightning1 the effect of lightning and electricity1 in regard of that1 seems dissimilar2 for a magnetic needle in a north and south situation 7as the compass needle was7 instead of having its power reversed1 or even diminished1 would have it confirmed or increased by the electric fire4 ,but perhaps the lightning communicated to some nails in the binnacle 7where the compass is placed7 the magnetic virtue1 which might disturb the compass4 ,this ,i have heard was the case2 if so1 the seeming dissimilarity vanishes3 but this remarkable circumstance 7if it took place7 ,i should think would not be omitted in ,captain ,waddel's account4 ,i am very much pleased that the explication ,i sent you1 of the crooked direction of lightning1 meets with your approbation4 ,as to your supposition about the source of lightning1 the luminous appearance of the sea in the night1 and the similitude between the friction of the particles of salt and water1 as you considered them in their original separate state1 and the friction of the globe and cushion1 very naturally led you to the ocean1 as the grand source of lightning3 but the activity of lightning1 or the electric element1 and the fitness of water to conduct it1 together with the experiments you mention of salt and water1 seem to make against it1 and to prepare the way for some other hypothesis4 ,accordingly you propose a new one1 which is very curious1 and not so liable1 ,i think1 to objections as the former4 ,but there is not as yet1 ,i believe1 a sufficient variety of experiments to establish any theory1 though this seems the most hopeful of any ,i have heard of4 ,the effect which the discharge of your four glass jars had upon a fine wire1 tied between two strips of glass1 puts me in mind of a very similar one of lightning1 that ,i observed at ,new-,york1 ,october1 #agej1 a few days after ,i left ,philadelphia4 ,in company with a number of gentlemen1 ,i went to take a view of the city from the ,dutch church steeple1 in which is a clock about twenty or twenty-five feet below the bell4 ,from the clock went a wire through two floors1 to the clock-hammer near the bell1 the holes in the floor for the wire being perhaps about a quarter of an inch diameter4 ,we were told1 that in the spring of #agej1 the lightning struck the clock hammer1 and descended along the wire to the clock1 melting in its way several spots of the wire1 from three to nine inches long1 through one-third of its substance1 till coming within a few feet of the lower end1 it melted the wire quite through1 in several places1 so that it fell down in several pieces2 which spots and pieces we saw4 ,when it got to the end of the wire1 it flew off to the hinge of a door1 shattered the door1 and dissipated4 ,in its passage through the holes of the floors it did not do the least damage1 which evidences that wire is a good conductor of lightning 7as it is of electricity7 provided it be substantial enough1 and might1 in this case1 had it been continued to the earth1 have conducted it without damaging the building4#gd ,your information about your globe's raising the electric fire in greater quantities1 by means of a wire extended from the cushion to the earth1 will enable me1 ,i hope1 to remedy a great inconvenience ,i have been under1 to collect the fire with the electrifying glass ,i use1 which is fixed in a very dry room1 three stories from the ground4 ,when you send your meteorological observations to 999999991 ,i hope ,i shall have the pleasure of seeing them4 ,i am1 c4 ,j4 ,b4 ,,footnote3 #gd ,the wire mentioned in this account was re-placed by a small brass chain4 ,in the summer of #agfc1 the lightning again struck that steeple1 and from the clock-hammer near the bell1 it pursued the chain as it had before done the wire1 went off to the same hinge1 and again shattered the same door4 ,in its passage through the same holes of the same floors1 it did no damage to the floors1 nor to the building during the whole extent of the chain4 ,but the chain itself was destroyed1 being partly scattered about in fragments of two or three links melted and stuck together1 and partly blown up or reduced to smoke1 and dissipated4 ,see an account of the same effect of lightning on a wire at ,newbury1 p4 #caa4 ,the steeple1 when repaired1 was guarded by an iron conductor1 or rod1 extending from the foot of the vane-spindle down the outside of the building1 into the earth4 ,the newspapers have mentioned1 that in #agfe1 the lightning fell a third time on the same steeple1 and was safely conducted by the rod2 but the particulars are not come to hand4 ,proposal of an ,experiment to measure the ,time taken up by an ,electric ,spark1 in moving through any given ,space4 ,by ,j4 ,a4#ge ,esq4 of ,new-,york4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,dec #bf1 #agef4 ,if ,i remember right1 the ,royal ,society made one experiment to discover the velocity of the electric fire1 by a wire of about four miles in length1 supported by silk1 and by turning it forwards and backwards in a field1 so that the beginning and end of the wire were at only the distance of two people1 the one holding the ,leyden bottle and the beginning of the wire1 and the other holding the end of the wire and touching the ring of the bottle2 but by this experiment no discovery was made1 except that the velocity was extremely quick4 ,as water is a conductor as well as metals1 it is to be considered whether the velocity of the electric fire might not be discovered by means of water2 whether a river1 or lake1 or sea1 may not be made part of the circuit through which the electric fire passes8 instead of the circuit all of wire1 as in the above experiment4 ,whether in a river1 lake1 or sea1 the electric fire will not dissipate and not return to the bottle8 or1 will it proceed in strait lines through the water the shortest courses possible back to the bottle8 ,if the last1 then suppose one brook that falls into ,delaware doth head very near to a brook that falls into ,schuylkil1 and let a wire be stretched and supported as before1 from the head of the one brook to the head of the other1 and let the one end communicate with the water1 and let one person stand in the other brook1 holding the ,leyden bottle1 and let another person hold that end of the wire not in the water1 and touch the ring of the bottle4--,if the electric fire will go as in the last question1 then will it go down the one brook to ,delaware or ,schuylkill1 and down one of them to their meeting1 and up the other and the other brook2 the time of its doing this may possibly be observable1 and the further upwards the brooks are chosen1 the more observable it would be4 ,should this be not observable1 then suppose the two brooks falling into ,sasquehana and ,delaware1 and proceeding as before1 the electric fire may1 by that means1 make a circuit round the ,north ,cape of ,virginia1 and go many hundreds of miles1 and in doing that1 it would seem it must take some observable time4 ,if still no observable time is found in that experiment1 then suppose the brooks falling the one into the ,ohio1 and the other into ,sasquehana1 or ,potomack1 in that the electric fire would have a circuit of some thousands of miles to go down ,ohio to ,mississippi1 to the ,bay of ,mexico1 round ,florida1 and round the ,south ,cape of ,virginia2 which1 ,i think1 would give some observable time1 and discover exactly the velocity4 ,but if the electric fire dissipates1 or weakens in the water1 as ,i fear it does1 these experiments will not answer4 ,answer to the foregoing4 ,read at the ,royal ,society1 ,dec4 #be1 #agef4 ,suppose a tube of any length open at both ends1 and containing a moveable wire of just the same length1 that fills its bore4 ,if ,i attempt to introduce the end of another wire into the same tube1 it must be done by pushing forward the wire it already contains2 and the instant ,i press and move one end of that wire1 the other end is also moved2 and in introducing one inch of the same wire1 ,i extrude1 at the same time1 an inch of the first1 from the other end of the tube4 ,if the tube be filled with water1 and ,i inject an additional inch of water at one end1 ,i force out an equal quantity at the other1 in the very same instant4 ,and the water forced out at one end of the tube is not the very same water that was forced in at the other end at the same time1 it was only in motion at the same time4 ,the long wire1 made use of in the experiment to discover the velocity of the electric fluid1 is itself filled with what we call its natural quantity of that fluid1 before the hook of the ,leyden bottle is applied to one end of it4 ,the outside of the bottle being at the time of such application in contact with the other end of the wire1 the whole quantity of electric fluid contained in the wire is1 probably1 put in motion at once4 ,for at the instant the hook1 connected with the inside of the bottle1 gives out2 the coating1 or outside of the bottle1 draws in a portion of that fluid4 ,if such long wire contains precisely the quantity that the outside of the bottle demands1 the whole will move out of the wire to the outside of the bottle1 and the over quantity which the inside of the bottle contained1 being exactly equal1 will flow into the wire1 and remain there1 in the place of the quantity the wire had just parted with to the outside of the bottle4 ,but if the wire be so long as that one-tenth 7suppose7 of its natural quantity is sufficient to supply what the outside of the bottle demands1 in such case the outside will only receive what is contained in one-tenth of the wire's length1 from the end next to it2 though the whole will move so as to make room at the other end for an equal quantity issuing1 at the same time1 from the inside of the bottle4 ,so that this experiment only shews the extreme facility with which the electric fluid moves in metal2 it can never determine the velocity4 ,and1 therefore1 the proposed experiment 7though well imagined1 and very ingenious7 of sending the spark round through a vast length of space1 by the waters of ,susquehannah1 or ,potowmack1 and ,ohio1 would not afford the satisfaction desired1 though we could be sure that the motion of the electric fluid would be in that tract1 and not under ground in the wet earth by the shortest way4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #ge ,james ,alexander4 ,editor4 ,,from ,,mr4 ,,kinnersley ,,to ,b4 ,,franklin1 ,,esq4 ,experiments on boiling ,water1 and ,glass heated by boiling ,water4--,doctrine of ,repulsion in electrised ,bodies doubted4--,electricity of the ,atmosphere at different ,heights4--,electrical ,horse-race4--,electrical ,thermometer4--,in what ,cases the electrical ,fire produces ,heat4--,wire lengthened by ,electricity4--,good ,effect of a ,rod on the ,house of ,mr4 ,west1 of ,philadelphia4 ,philadelphia1 ,march #ab1 #agfa4 ,,sir1 ,having lately made the following experiments1 ,i very chearfully communicate them1 in hopes of giving you some degree of pleasure1 and exciting you to further explore your favorite1 but not quite exhausted subject1 electricity4 ,i placed myself on an electric stand1 and1 being well electrised1 threw my hat to an unelectrised person1 at a considerable distance1 on another stand1 and found that the hat carried some of the electricity with it2 for1 upon going immediately to the person who received it1 and holding a flaxen thread near him1 ,i perceived he was electrised sufficiently to attract the thread4 ,i then suspended1 by silk1 a broad plate of metal1 and electrised some boiling water under it at about four feet distance1 expecting that the vapour1 which ascended plentifully to the plate1 would1 upon the principle of the foregoing experiment1 carry up some of the electricity with it2 but was at length fully convinced1 by several repeated trials1 that it left all its share thereof behind4 ,this ,i know not how to account for2 but does it not seem to corroborate your hypothesis1 ,that the vapours of which the clouds are formed1 leave their share of electricity behind1 in the common stock1 and ascend in the negative state8 ,i put boiling water into a coated ,florence flask1 and found that the heat so enlarged the pores of the glass1 that it could not be charged4 ,the electricity passed through as readily1 to all appearance1 as through metal2 the charge of a three-pint bottle went freely through1 without injuring the flask in the least4 ,when it became almost cold1 ,i could charge it as usual4 ,would not this experiment convince the ,abb ,nollet of his egregious mistake8 ,for while the electricity went fairly through the glass1 as he contends it always does1 the glass could not be charged at all4 ,i took a slender piece of cedar1 about eighteen inches long1 fixed a brass cap in the middle1 thrust a pin horizontally and at right angles1 through each end 7the points in contrary directions7 and hung it1 nicely balanced1 like the needle of a compass1 on a pin1 about six inches long1 fixed in the centre of an electric stand4 ,then1 electrising the stand1 ,i had the pleasure of seeing what ,i expected2 the wooden needle turned round1 carrying the pins with their heads foremost4 ,i then electrised the stand negatively1 expecting the needle to turn the contrary way1 but was extremely disappointed1 for it went still the same way as before4 ,when the stand was electrised positively1 ,i suppose that the natural quantity of electricity in the air being increased on one side1 by what issued from the points1 the needle was attracted by the lesser quantity on the other side4 ,when electrised negatively1 ,i suppose that the natural quantity of electricity in the air was diminished near the points2 in consequence whereof1 the equilibrium being destroyed1 the needle was attracted by the greater quantity on the opposite side4 ,the doctrine of repulsion1 in electrised bodies1 ,i begin to be somewhat doubtful of4 ,i think all the phenomena on which it is founded1 may be well enough accounted for without it4 ,will not cork balls1 electrised negatively1 separate as far as when electrised positively8 ,and may not their separation in both cases be accounted for upon the same principle1 namely1 the mutual attraction of the natural quantity in the air1 and that which is denser or rarer in the cork balls8 it being one of the established laws of this fluid1 that quantities of different densities shall mutually attract each other1 in order to restore the equilibrium4 ,i can see no reason to conclude that the air has not its share of the common stock of electricity1 as well as glass1 and perhaps1 all other electrics per se4 ,for though the air will admit bodies to be electrised in it either positively or negatively1 and will not readily carry off the redundancy in the one case1 or supply the deficiency in the other1 yet let a person in the negative state1 out of doors in the dark1 when the air is dry1 hold1 with his arm extended1 a long sharp needle1 pointing upwards1 and he will soon be convinced that electricity may be drawn out of the air2 not very plentifully1 for1 being a bad conductor1 it seems loth to part with it1 but yet some will evidently be collected4 ,the air near the person's body1 having less than its natural quantity1 will have none to spare2 but1 his arm being extended1 as above1 some will be collected from the remoter air1 and will appear luminous1 as it converges to the point of the needle4 ,let a person electrised negatively present the point of a needle1 horizontally1 to a cork ball1 suspended by silk1 and the ball will be attracted towards the point1 till it has parted with so much of its natural quantity of electricity as to be in the negative state in the same degree with the person who holds the needle2 then it will recede from the point1 being1 as ,i suppose1 attracted the contrary way by the electricity of greater density in the air behind it4 ,but1 as this opinion seems to deviate from electrical orthodoxy1 ,i should be glad to see these phenomena better accounted for by your superior and more penetrating genius4 ,whether the electricity in the air1 in clear dry weather1 be of the same density at the height of two or three hundred yards1 as near the surface of the earth1 may be satisfactorily determined by your old experiment of the kite4 ,the twine should have throughout a very small wire in it1 and the ends of the wire1 where the several lengths are united1 ought to be tied down with a waxed thread1 to prevent their acting in the manner of points4 ,i have tried the experiment twice1 when the air was as dry as we ever have it1 and so clear that not a cloud could be seen1 and found the twine each time in a small degree electrised positively4 ,the kite had three metalline points fixed to it3 one on the top1 and one on each side4 ,that the twine was electrised1 appeared by the separating of two small cork balls1 suspended on the twine by fine flaxen threads1 just above where the silk was tied to it1 and sheltered from the wind4 ,that the twine was electrised positively1 was proved1 by applying to it the wire of a charged bottle1 which caused the balls to separate further1 without first coming nearer together4 ,this experiment showed1 that the electricity in the air1 at those times1 was denser above than below4 ,but that cannot be always the case2 for you know we have frequently found the thunder-clouds in the negative state1 attracting electricity from the earth2 which state1 it is probable1 they are always in when first formed1 and till they have received a sufficient supply4 ,how they come afterwards1 towards the latter end of the gust1 to be in the positive state1 which is sometimes the case1 is a subject for further enquiry4 ,after the above experiments with the wooden needle1 ,i formed a cross1 of two pieces of wood1 of equal length1 intersecting each other at right angles in the middle1 hung it horizontally upon a central pin1 and set a light horse with his rider1 upon each extremity2 whereupon1 the whole being nicely balanced1 and each courser urged on by an electrised point of a pair of spurs1 ,i was entertained with an electrical horse-race4 ,i have contrived an electrical air thermometer1 and made several experiments with it1 that have afforded me much satisfaction and pleasure4 ,it is extremely sensible of any alteration in the state of the included air1 and fully determines that controverted point1 ,whether there be any heat in the electric fire8 ,by the enclosed draught1 and the following description1 you will readily apprehend the construction of it4 7,see ,plate ,,ii47 ,a ,b is a glass tube1 about eleven inches long1 and one inch diameter in the bore4 ,it has a brass ferrule cemented on each end1 with a top and bottom part1 ,c and ,d1 to be screwed on1 air-tight1 and taken off at pleasure4 ,in the centre of the bottom part ,d1 is a male screw1 which goes into a brass nut1 in the mahogany pedestal ,e4 ,the wires ,f and ,g are for the electric fire to pass through1 darting from one to the other4 ,the wire ,g extends through the pedestal to ,h1 and may be raised and lowered by means of a male screw on it4 ,the wire ,f may be taken out1 and the hook ,i be screwed into its place4 ,k is a glass tube1 with a small bore1 open at both ends1 cemented in the brass tube ,l which screws into the top part ,c4 ,the lower end of the tube ,k is immersed in water1 coloured with cochineal1 at the bottom of the tube ,a ,b4 7,i used1 at first1 coloured spirits of wine1 but in one experiment ,i made1 it took fire47 ,on the top of the tube ,k is cemented1 for ornament1 a brass ferrule1 with a head screwed on it1 which has a small air-hole through its side1 at a4 ,the wire b1 is a small round spring1 that embraces the tube ,k1 so as to stay wherever it is placed4 ,the weight ,m is to keep strait whatever may be suspended in the tube ,a ,b1 on the hook ,i4 ,air must be blown through the tube ,k1 into the tube ,a ,b1 till enough is intruded to raise1 by its elastic force1 a column of the coloured water in the tube ,k1 up to c1 or thereabouts2 and then1 the gage-wire b1 being slipt down to the top of the column1 the thermometer is ready for use4 ,illustration3 7of the experiment below7 ,plate ,,ii4 ,vol4 ,i4 page #ccf4 ,published as the ,act directs1 ,april #a1 #ahjf1 by ,longman1 ,hurst1 ,rees ,orme1 ,paternoster ,row4 ,i set the thermometer on an electric stand1 with the chain ,n fixed to the prime conductor1 and kept it well electrised a considerable time2 but this produced no sensible effect2 which shews1 that the electric fire1 when in a state of rest1 has no more heat than the air1 and other matter wherein it resides4 ,when the wires ,f and ,g are in contact1 a large charge of electricity sent through them1 even that of my case of five and thirty bottles1 containing above thirty square feet of coated glass1 will produce no rarefaction of the air included in the tube ,a ,b2 which shows that the wires are not heated by the fire's passing through them4 ,when the wires are about two inches apart1 the charge of a three pint bottle1 darting from one to the other1 rarefies the air very evidently2 which shows1 ,i think1 that the electric fire must produce heat in itself1 as well as in the air1 by its rapid motion4 ,the charge of one of my glass jars 7which will contain about five gallons and a half1 wine measure7 darting from wire to wire1 will1 by the disturbance it gives the air1 repelling it in all directions1 raise the column in the tube ,k1 up to d1 or thereabouts2 and the charge of the above-mentioned case of bottles will raise it to the top of the tube4 ,upon the air's coalescing1 the column1 by its gravity1 instantly subsides1 till it is in equilibrio with the rarefied air2 it then gradually descends as the air cools1 and settles where it stood before4 ,by carefully observing at what height above the gage-wire b1 the descending column first stops1 the degree of rarefaction is discovered1 which1 in great explosions1 is very considerable4 ,i hung in the thermometer1 successively1 a strip of wet writing paper1 a wet flaxen and woollen thread1 a blade of green grass1 a filament of green wood1 a fine silver thread1 a very small brass wire1 and a strip of gilt paper2 and found that the charge of the above-mentioned glass jar1 passing through each of these1 especially the last1 produced heat enough to rarefy the air very perceptibly4 ,i then suspended1 out of the thermometer1 a piece of small harpsichord wire1 about twenty-four inches long1 with a pound weight at the lower end1 and sent the charge of the case of five and thirty bottles through it1 whereby ,i discovered a new method of wire-drawing4 ,the wire was red hot the whole length1 well annealed1 and above an inch longer than before4 ,a second charge melted it2 it parted near the middle1 and measured1 when the ends were put together1 four inches longer than at first4 ,this experiment1 ,i remember1 you proposed to me before you left ,philadelphia2 but ,i never tried it till now4 ,that ,i might have no doubt of the wire's being hot as well as red1 ,i repeated the experiment on another piece of the same wire1 encompassed with a goose-quill1 filled with loose grains of gun-powder2 which took fire as readily as if it had been touched with a red hot poker4 ,also tinder1 tied to another piece of the wire1 kindled by it4 ,i tried a wire about three times as big1 but could produce no such effects with that4 ,hence it appears that the electric fire1 though it has no sensible heat when in a state of rest1 will1 by its violent motion1 and the resistance it meets with1 produce heat in other bodies when passing through them1 provided they be small enough4 ,a large quantity will pass through a large wire1 without producing any sensible heat2 when the same quantity passing through a very small one1 being there confined to a narrower passage1 the particles crowding closer together1 and meeting with greater resistance1 will make it red hot1 and even melt it4 ,hence lightning does not melt metal by a cold fusion1 as we formerly supposed2 but1 when it passes through the blade of a sword1 if the quantity be not very great1 it may heat the point so as to melt it1 while the broadest and thickest part may not be sensibly warmer than before4 ,and when trees or houses are set on fire by the dreadful quantity which a cloud1 or the earth1 sometimes discharges1 must not the heat1 by which the wood is first kindled1 be generated by the lightning's violent motion1 through the resisting combustible matter8 ,if lightning1 by its rapid motion1 produces heat in itself2 as well as in other bodies 7and that it does ,i think is evident from some of the foregoing experiments made with the thermometer7 then its sometimes singeing the hair of animals killed by it1 may easily be accounted for4 ,and the reason of its not always doing so1 may1 perhaps1 be this3 ,the quantity1 though sufficient to kill a large animal1 may sometimes not be great enough1 or not have met with resistance enough1 to become1 by its motion1 burning hot4 ,we find that dwelling-houses1 struck with lightning1 are seldom set on fire by it2 but when it passes through barns1 with hay or straw in them1 or store-houses1 containing large quantities of hemp1 or such like matter1 they seldom1 if ever1 escape a conflagration2 which may1 perhaps1 be owing to such combustibles being apt to kindle with a less degree of heat than is necessary to kindle wood4 ,we had four houses in this city1 and a vessel at one of the wharfs1 struck and damaged by lightning last summer4 ,one of the houses was struck twice in the same storm4 ,but ,i have the pleasure to inform you1 that your method of preventing such terrible disasters1 has1 by a fact which had like to have escaped our knowledge1 given a very convincing proof of its great utility2 and is now in higher repute with us than ever4 ,hearing1 a few days ago1 that ,mr4 ,william ,west1 merchant in this city1 suspected that the lightning in one of the thunder-storms last summer had passed through the iron conductor1 which he had provided for the security of his house2 ,i waited on him1 to enquire what ground he might have for such suspicion4 ,mr4 ,west informed me1 that his family and neighbours were all stunned with a very terrible explosion1 and that the flash and crack were seen and heard at the same instant4 ,whence he concluded1 that the lightning must have been very near1 and1 as no house in the neighbourhood had suffered by it1 that it must have passed through his conductor4 ,mr4 ,white1 his clerk1 told me that he was sitting1 at the time1 by a window1 about two feet distant from the conductor1 leaning against the brick wall with which it was in contact2 and that he felt a smart sensation1 like an electric shock1 in that part of his body which touched the wall4 ,mr4 ,west further informed me1 that a person of undoubted veracity assured him1 that1 being in the door of an opposite house1 on the other side of ,water-street 7which you know is but narrow7 he saw the lightning diffused over the pavement1 which was then very wet with rain1 to the distance of two or three yards from the foot of the conductor2 and that another person of very good credit told him1 that he being a few doors off on the other side of the street1 saw the lightning above1 darting in such direction that it appeared to him to be directly over that pointed rod4 ,upon receiving this information1 and being desirous of further satisfaction1 there being no traces of the lightning to be discovered in the conductor1 as far as we could examine it below1 ,i proposed to ,mr4 ,west our going to the top of the house1 to examine the pointed rod1 assuring him1 that if the lightning had passed through it1 the point must have been melted2 and1 to our great satisfaction1 we found it so4 ,this iron rod extended in height about nine feet and a half above a stack of chimneys to which it was fixed 7though ,i suppose three or four feet would have been sufficient47 ,it was somewhat more than half an inch diameter in the thickest part1 and tapering to the upper end4 ,the conductor1 from the lower end of it to the earth1 consisted of square iron nail-rods1 not much above a quarter of an inch thick1 connected together by interlinking joints4 ,it extended down the cedar roof to the eaves1 and from thence down the wall of the house1 four story and a half1 to the pavement in ,water-street1 being fastened to the wall1 in several places1 by small iron hooks4 ,the lower end was fixed to a ring1 in the top of an iron stake that was drove about four or five feet into the ground4 ,the above-mentioned iron rod had a hole in the top of it1 about two inches deep1 wherein was inserted a brass wire1 about two lines thick1 and1 when first put there1 about ten inches long1 terminating in a very acute point2 but now its whole length was no more than seven inches and a half1 and the top very blunt4 ,some of the metal appears to be missing1 the slenderest part of the wire being1 as ,i suspect1 consumed into smoke4 ,but some of it1 where the wire was a little thicker1 being only melted by the lightning1 sunk down1 while in a fluid state1 and formed a rough irregular cap1 lower on one side than the other1 round the upper end of what remained1 and became intimately united therewith4 ,this was all the damage that ,mr4 ,west sustained by a terrible stroke of lightning2--a most convincing proof of the great utility of this method of preventing its dreadful effects4 ,surely it will now be thought as expedient to provide conductors for the lightning1 as for the rain4 ,mr4 ,west was so good as to make me a present of the melted wire1 which ,i keep as a great curiosity1 and long for the pleasure of shewing it to you4 ,in the mean time1 ,i beg your acceptance of the best representation ,i can give of it1 which you will find by the side of the thermometer1 drawn in its full dimensions as it now appears4 ,the dotted lines above are intended to shew the form of the wire before the lightning melted it4 ,and now1 ,sir1 ,i most heartily congratulate you on the pleasure you must have in finding your great and well-grounded expectations so far fulfilled4 ,may this method of security from the destructive violence of one of the most awful powers of nature1 meet with such further success1 as to induce every good and grateful heart to bless ,god for the important discovery6 ,may the benefit thereof be diffused over the whole globe6 ,may it extend to the latest posterity of mankind1 and make the name of ,,franklin1 like that of ,,newton1 immortal4 ,i am1 ,sir1 with sincere respect1 ,your most obedient and most humble servant1 ,,eben4 ,,kinnersley4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,,kinnersley4 ,answer to some of the foregoing ,subjects4--,how long the ,leyden ,bottle may be kept charged4--,heated ,glass rendered permeable by the electric ,fluid4--,electrical ,attraction and ,repulsion4--,reply to other ,subjects in the preceding ,paper4--,numerous ,ways of kindling ,fire4--,explosion of ,water4--,knobs and ,points4 ,london1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agfb4 ,,sir1 ,i received your ingenious letter of the #abth of ,march last1 and thank you cordially for the account you give me of the new experiments you have lately made in electricity4--,it is a subject that still affords me pleasure1 though of late ,i have not much attended to it4 ,your second experiment1 in which you attempted1 without success1 to communicate positive electricity by vapour ascending from electrised water1 reminds me of one ,i formerly made1 to try if negative electricity might be produced by evaporation only4 ,i placed a large heated brass plate1 containing four or five square feet on an electric stand2 a rod of metal1 about four feet long1 with a bullet at its end1 extended from the plate horizontally4 ,a light lock of cotton1 suspended a fine thread from the cieling1 hung opposite to1 and within an inch of the bullet4 ,i then sprinkled the heated plate with water1 which arose fast from it in vapour4 ,if vapour should be disposed to carry off the electrical1 as it does the common fire from bodies1 ,i expected the plate would1 by losing some of its natural quantity1 become negatively electrised4 ,but ,i could not perceive1 by any motion in the cotton1 that it was at all affected3 nor by any separation of small cork-balls suspended from the plate1 could it be observed that the plate was in any manner electrified4 ,mr4 ,canton here has also found1 that two tea-cups1 set on electric stands1 and filled1 one with boiling1 the other with cold water1 and equally electrified1 continued equally so1 notwithstanding the plentiful evaporation from the hot water4 ,your experiment and his agreeing1 show another remarkable difference between electric and common fire4 ,for the latter quits most readily the body that contains it1 where water1 or any other fluid1 is evaporating from the surface of that body1 and escapes with the vapour4 ,hence the method1 long in use in the east1 of cooling liquors1 by wrapping the bottles round with a wet cloth1 and exposing them to the wind4 ,dr4 ,cullen1 of ,edinburgh1 has given some experiments of cooling by evaporation2 and ,i was present at one made by ,dr4 ,hadley1 then professor of chemistry at ,cambridge1 when1 by repeatedly wetting the ball of a thermometer with spirit1 and quickening the evaporation by the blast of a bellows1 the mercury fell from #fe1 the state of warmth in the common air1 to #g1 which is #bb degrees below freezing2 and1 accordingly1 from some water mixed with the spirit1 or from the breath of the assistants1 or both1 ice gathered in small spicula round the ball1 to the thickness of near a quarter of an inch4 ,to such a degree did the mercury lose the fire it before contained1 which1 as ,i imagine1 took the opportunity of escaping1 in company with the evaporating particles of the spirit1 by adhering to those particles4 ,your experiment of the ,florence flask1 and boiling water1 is very curious4 ,i have repeated it1 and found it to succeed as you describe it1 in two flasks out of three4 ,the third would not charge when filled with either hot or cold water4 ,i repeated it1 because ,i remembered ,i had once attempted to make an electric bottle of a ,florence flask1 filled with cold water1 but could not charge it at all2 which ,i then imputed to some imperceptible cracks in the small1 extremely thin bubbles1 of which that glass is full1 and ,i concluded none of that kind would do4 ,but you have shown me my mistake4--,mr4 ,wilson had formerly acquainted us1 that red hot glass would conduct electricity2 but that so small a degree of heat1 as that communicated by boiling water1 would so open the pores of extremely thin glass1 as to suffer the electric fluid freely to pass1 was not before known4 ,some experiments similar to yours1 have1 however1 been made here1 before the receipt of your letter1 of which ,i shall now give you an account4 ,i formerly had an opinion that a ,leyden bottle1 charged and then sealed hermetically1 might retain its electricity for ever2 but having afterwards some suspicion that possibly that subtle fluid might1 by slow imperceptible degrees1 soak through the glass1 and in time escape1 ,i requested some of my friends1 who had conveniences for doing it1 to make trial1 whether1 after some months1 the charge of a bottle so sealed would be sensibly diminished4 ,being at ,birmingham1 in ,september1 #agfj1 ,mr4 ,bolton of that place opened a bottle that had been charged1 and its long tube neck hermetically sealed in the ,january preceding4 ,on breaking off the end of the neck1 and introducing a wire into it1 we found it possessed of a considerable quantity of electricity1 which was discharged by a snap and spark4 ,this bottle had lain near seven months on a shelf1 in a closet1 in contact with bodies that would undoubtedly have carried off all its electricity1 if it could have come readily through the glass4 ,yet as the quantity manifested by the discharge was not apparently so great as might have been expected from a bottle of that size well charged1 some doubt remained whether part had escaped while the neck was sealing1 or had since1 by degrees1 soaked through the glass4 ,but an experiment of ,mr4 ,canton's1 in which such a bottle was kept under water a week1 without having its electricity in the least impaired1 seems to show1 that when the glass is cold1 though extremely thin1 the electric fluid is well retained by it4 ,as that ingenious and accurate experimenter made a discovery1 like yours1 of the effect of heat in rendering thin glass permeable by that fluid1 it is but doing him justice to give you his account of it1 in his own words1 extracted from his letter to me1 in which he communicated it1 dated ,oct4 #ca1 #agfj1 viz4 ,having procured some thin glass balls1 of about an inch and a half in diameter1 with stems1 or tubes1 of eight or nine inches in length1 ,i electrified them1 some positively on the inside1 and others negatively1 after the manner of charging the ,leyden bottle1 and sealed them hermetically4 ,soon after ,i applied the naked balls to my electrometer1 and could not discover the least sign of their being electrical1 but holding them1 before the fire1 at the distance of six or eight inches1 they became strongly electrical in a very short time1 and more so when they were cooling4 ,these balls will1 every time they are heated1 give the electrical fluid to1 or take it from other bodies1 according to the plus or minus state of it within them4 ,heating them frequently1 ,i find will sensibly diminish their power2 but keeping one of them under water a week did not appear in the least degree to impair it4 ,that which ,i kept under water1 was charged on the #bb;d of ,september last1 was several times heated before it was kept in water1 and has been heated frequently since1 and yet it still retains its virtue to a very considerable degree4 ,the breaking two of my balls accidentally gave me an opportunity of measuring their thickness1 which ,i found to be between seven and eight parts in a thousand of an inch4 ,a down feather1 in a thin glass ball1 hermetically sealed1 will not be affected by the application of an excited tube1 or the wire of a charged phial1 unless the ball be considerably heated2 and if a glass pane be heated till it begins to grow soft1 and in that state be held between the wire of a charged phial1 and the discharging wire1 the course of the electrical fluid will not be through the glass1 but on the surface1 round by the edge of it4 ,by this last experiment of ,mr4 ,canton's1 it appears1 that though by a moderate heat1 thin glass becomes1 in some degree1 a conductor of electricity1 yet1 when of the thickness of a common pane1 it is not1 though in a state near melting1 so good a conductor as to pass the shock of a discharged bottle4 ,there are other conductors which suffer the electric fluid to pass through them gradually1 and yet will not conduct a shock4 ,for instance1 a quire of paper will conduct through its whole length1 so as to electrify a person1 who1 standing on wax1 presents the paper to an electrified prime conductor2 but it will not conduct a shock even through its thickness only2 hence the shock either fails1 or passes by rending a hole in the paper4 ,thus a sieve will pass water gradually1 but a stream from a fire engine would either be stopped by it1 or tear a hole through it4 ,it should seem1 that to make glass permeable to the electric fluid1 the heat should be proportioned to the thickness4 ,you found the heat of boiling water1 which is but #baj1 sufficient to render the extreme thin glass in a ,florence flask permeable even to a shock4--,lord ,charles ,cavendish1 by a very ingenious experiment1 has found the heat of #djj requisite to render thicker glass permeable to the common current4 ,a glass tube1 7,see ,plate ,,iii47 of which the part ,c ,b was solid1 had wire thrust in each end1 reaching to ,b and ,c4 ,a small wire was tied on at ,d1 reaching to the floor1 in order to carry off any electricity that might run along upon the tube4 ,the bent part was placed in an iron pot1 filled with iron filings2 a thermometer was also put into the filings2 a lamp was placed under the pot2 and the whole was supported upon glass4 ,the wire ,a being electrified by a machine1 before the heat was applied1 the corks at ,e separated1 at first upon the principle of the ,leyden phial4 ,but after the part ,c ,b of the tube was heated to #fjj1 the corks continued to separate1 though you discharged the electricity by touching the wire at ,e1 the electrical machine continuing in motion4 ,upon letting the whole cool1 the effect remained till the thermometer was sunk to #djj4 ,illustration3 7of the experiment above7 ,plate ,,iii4 ,vol4 ,i4 page #cdh4 ,it were to be wished1 that this noble philosopher would communicate more of his experiments to the world1 as he makes many1 and with great accuracy4 ,you know ,i have always looked upon and mentioned the equal repulsion in cases of positive and of negative electricity1 as a phenomenon difficult to be explained4 ,i have sometimes1 too1 been inclined1 with you1 to resolve all into attraction2 but besides that attraction seems in itself as unintelligible as repulsion1 there are some appearances of repulsion that ,i cannot so easily explain by attraction2 this for one instance4 ,when the pair of cork balls are suspended by flaxen threads1 from the end of the prime conductor1 if you bring a rubbed glass tube near the conductor1 but without touching it1 you see the balls separate1 as being electrified positively2 and yet you have communicated no electricity to the conductor1 for1 if you had1 it would have remained there1 after withdrawing the tube2 but the closing of the balls immediately thereupon1 shows that the conductor has no more left in it than its natural quantity4 ,then again approaching the conductor with the rubbed tube1 if1 while the balls are separated1 you touch with a finger that end of the conductor to which they hang1 they will come together again1 as being1 with that part of the conductor1 brought to the same state with your finger1 i4 e4 the natural state4 ,but the other end of the conductor1 near which the tube is held1 is not in that state1 but in the negative state1 as appears on removing the tube2 for then part of the natural quantity left at the end near the balls1 leaving that end to supply what is wanting at the other1 the whole conductor is found to be equally in the negative state4 ,does not this indicate that the electricity of the rubbed tube had repelled the electric fluid1 which was diffused in the conductor while in its natural state1 and forced it to quit the end to which the tube was brought near1 accumulating itself on the end to which the balls were suspended8 ,i own ,i find it difficult to account for its quitting that end1 on the approach of the rubbed tube1 but on the supposition of repulsion2 for1 while the conductor was in the same state with the air1 i4 e4 the natural state1 it does not seem to me easy to suppose1 that an attraction should suddenly take place between the air and the natural quantity of the electric fluid in the conductor1 so as to draw it to1 and accumulate it on the end opposite to that approached by the tube2 since bodies1 possessing only their natural quantity of that fluid1 are not usually seen to attract each other1 or to affect mutually the quantities of electricity each contains4 ,there are likewise appearances of repulsion in other parts of nature4 ,not to mention the violent force with which the particles of water1 heated to a certain degree1 separate from each other1 or those of gunpowder1 when touched with the smallest spark of fire1 there is the seeming repulsion between the same poles of the magnet1 a body containing a subtle moveable fluid in many respects analagous to the electric fluid4 ,if two magnets are so suspended by strings1 as that their poles of the same denomination are opposite to each other1 they will separate1 and continue so2 or if you lay a magnetic steel bar on a smooth table1 and approach it with another parallel to it1 the poles of both in the same position1 the first will recede from the second1 so as to avoid the contact1 and may thus be pushed 7or at least appear to be pushed7 off the table4 ,can this be ascribed to the attraction of any surrounding body or matter drawing them asunder1 or drawing the one away from the other8 ,if not1 and repulsion exists in nature1 and in magnetism1 why may it not exist in electricity8 ,we should not1 indeed1 multiply causes in philosophy without necessity2 and the greater simplicity of your hypothesis would recommend it to me1 if ,i could see that all appearances would be solved by it4 ,but ,i find1 or think ,i find1 the two causes more convenient than one of them alone4 ,thus ,i might solve the circular motion of your horizontal stick1 supported on a pivot1 with two pins at their ends1 pointing contrary ways1 and moving in the same direction when electrified1 whether positively or negatively3 when positively1 the air opposite to the points being electrised positively1 repels the points2 when negatively1 the air opposite the points being also1 by their means1 electrised negatively1 attraction takes place between the electricity in the air behind the heads of the pins1 and the negative pins1 and so they are1 in this case1 drawn in the same direction that in the other they were driven4--,you see ,i am willing to meet you half way1 a complaisance ,i have not met with in our brother ,nollet1 or any other hypothesis-maker1 and therefore may value myself a little upon it1 especially as they say ,i have some ability in defending even the wrong side of a question1 when ,i think fit to take it in hand4 ,what you give as an established law of the electric fluid1 ,that quantities of different densities mutually attract each other1 in order to restore the equilibrium1 is1 ,i think1 not well founded1 or else not well expressed4 ,two large cork balls1 suspended by silk strings1 and both well and equally electrified1 separate to a great distance4 ,by bringing into contact with one of them another ball of the same size1 suspended likewise by silk1 you will take from it half its electricity4 ,it will then1 indeed1 hang at a less distance from the other1 but the full and the half quantities will not appear to attract each other1 that is1 the balls will not come together4 ,indeed1 ,i do not know any proof we have1 that one quantity of electric fluid is attracted by another quantity of that fluid1 whatever difference there may be in their densities4 ,and1 supposing in nature1 a mutual attraction between two parcels of any kind of matter1 it would be strange if this attraction should subsist strongly while those parcels were unequal1 and cease when more matter of the same kind was added to the smallest parcel1 so as to make it equal to the biggest4 ,by all the laws of attraction in matter1 that we are acquainted with1 the attraction is stronger in proportion to the increase of the masses1 and never in proportion to the difference of the masses4 ,i should rather think the law would be1 ,that the electric fluid is attracted strongly by all other matter that we know of1 while the parts of that fluid mutually repel each other4 ,hence its being equally diffused 7except in particular circumstances7 throughout all other matter4 ,but this you jokingly call electrical orthodoxy4 ,it is so with some at present1 but not with all2 and1 perhaps1 it may not always be orthodoxy with any body4 ,opinions are continually varying1 where we cannot have mathematical evidence of the nature of things2 and they must vary4 ,nor is that variation without its use1 since it occasions a more thorough discussion1 whereby error is often dissipated1 true knowledge is encreased1 and its principles become better understood and more firmly established4 ,air should have1 as you observe1 its share of the common stock of electricity1 as well as glass1 and1 perhaps1 all other electrics per se4 ,but ,i suppose1 that1 like them1 it does not easily part with what it has1 or receive more1 unless when mixed with some non-electric1 as moisture for instance1 of which there is some in our driest air4 ,this1 however1 is only a supposition2 and your experiment of restoring electricity to a negatively electrised person1 by extending his arm upwards into the air1 with a needle between his fingers1 on the point of which light may be seen in the night1 is1 indeed1 a curious one4 ,in this town the air is generally moister than with us1 and here ,i have seen ,mr4 ,canton electrify the air in one room positively1 and in another1 which communicated by a door1 he has electrised the air negatively4 ,the difference was easily discovered by his cork balls1 as he passed out of one room into another4--,pere ,beccaria1 too1 has a pretty experiment1 which shows that air may be electrised4 ,suspending a pair of small light balls1 by flaxen threads1 to the end of his prime conductor1 he turns his globe some time1 electrising positively1 the balls diverging and continuing separate all the time4 ,then he presents the point of a needle to his conductor1 which gradually drawing off the electric fluid1 the balls approach each other1 and touch1 before all is drawn from the conductor2 opening again as more is drawn off1 and separating nearly as wide as at first1 when the conductor is reduced to the natural state4 ,by this it appears1 that when the balls came together1 the air surrounding the balls was just as much electrised as the conductor at that time2 and more than the conductor1 when that was reduced to its natural state4 ,for the balls1 though in the natural state1 will diverge1 when the air that surrounds them is electrised plus or minus1 as well as when that is in its natural state and they are electrised plus or minus themselves4 ,i foresee that you will apply this experiment to the support of your hypothesis1 and ,i think you may make a good deal of it4 ,it was a curious enquiry of yours1 ,whether the electricity of the air1 in clear dry weather1 be of the same density at the height of two or three hundred yards1 as near the surface of the earth2 and ,i am glad you made the experiment4 ,upon reflection1 it should seem probable1 that whether the general state of the atmosphere at any time be positive or negative1 that part of it which is next the earth will be nearer the natural state1 by having given to the earth in one case1 or having received from it in the other4 ,in electrising the air of a room1 that which is nearest the walls1 or floor1 is least altered4 ,there is only one small ambiguity in the experiment1 which may be cleared by more trials2 it arises from the supposition that bodies may be electrised positively by the friction of air blowing strongly on them1 as it does on the kite and its string4 ,if at some times the electricity appears to be negative1 as that friction is the same1 the effect must be from a negative state of the upper air4 ,i am much pleased with your electrical thermometer1 and the experiments you have made with it4 ,i formerly satisfied myself by an experiment with my phial and syphon1 that the elasticity of the air was not increased by the mere existence of an electric atmosphere within the phial2 but ,i did not know1 till you now inform me1 that heat may be given to it by an electric explosion4 ,the continuance of its rarefaction1 for some time after the discharge of your glass jar and of your case of bottles1 seem to make this clear4 ,the other experiments on wet paper1 wet thread1 green grass1 and green wood1 are not so satisfactory2 as possibly the reducing part of the moisture to vapour1 by the electric fluid passing through it1 might occasion some expansion which would be gradually reduced by the condensation of such vapour4 ,the fine silver thread1 the very small brass wire1 and the strip of gilt paper1 are also subject to a similar objection1 as even metals1 in such circumstances1 are often partly reduced to smoke1 particularly the gilding on paper4 ,but your subsequent beautiful experiment on the wire1 which you made hot by the electric explosion1 and in that state fired gunpowder with it1 puts it out of all question1 that heat is produced by our artificial electricity1 and that the melting of metals in that way1 is not by what ,i formerly called a cold fusion4 ,a late instance here1 of the melting a bell-wire1 in a house struck by lightning1 and parts of the wire burning holes in the floor on which they fell1 has proved the same with regard to the electricity of nature4 ,i was too easily led into that error by accounts given1 even in philosophical books1 and from remote ages downwards1 of melting money in purses1 swords in scabbards1 c4 without burning the inflammable matters that were so near those melted metals4 ,but men are1 in general1 such careless observers1 that a philosopher cannot be too much on his guard in crediting their relations of things extraordinary1 and should never build an hypothesis on any thing but clear facts and experiments1 or it will be in danger of soon falling1 as this does1 like a house of cards4 ,how many ways there are of kindling fire1 or producing heat in bodies6 ,by the sun's rays1 by collision1 by friction1 by hammering1 by putrefaction1 by fermentation1 by mixtures of fluids1 by mixtures of solids with fluids1 and by electricity4 ,and yet the fire when produced1 though in different bodies it may differ in circumstances1 as in colour1 vehemence1 c4 yet in the same bodies is generally the same4 ,does not this seem to indicate that the fire existed in the body1 though in a quiescent state1 before it was by any of these means excited1 disengaged1 and brought forth to action and to view8 ,may it not constitute a part1 and even a principal part1 of the solid substance of bodies8 ,if this should be the case1 kindling fire in a body would be nothing more than developing this inflammable principle1 and setting it at liberty to act in separating the parts of that body1 which then exhibits the appearances of scorching1 melting1 burning1 c4 ,when a man lights an hundred candles from the flame of one1 without diminishing that flame1 can it be properly said to have communicated all that fire8 ,when a single spark from a flint1 applied to a magazine of gunpowder1 is immediately attended with this consequence1 that the whole is in flame1 exploding with immense violence1 could all this fire exist first in the spark8 ,we cannot conceive it4 ,and thus we seem led to this supposition1 that there is fire enough in all bodies to singe1 melt1 or burn them1 whenever it is1 by any means1 set at liberty1 so that it may exert itself upon them1 or be disengaged from them4 ,this liberty seems to be afforded it by the passage of electricity through them1 which we know can and does1 of itself1 separate the parts even of water2 and perhaps the immediate appearances of fire are only the effects of such separations8 ,if so1 there would be no need of supposing that the electric fluid heats itself by the swiftness of its motion1 or heats bodies by the resistance it meets with in passing through them4 ,they would only be heated in proportion as such separation could be more easily made4 ,thus a melting heat cannot be given to a large wire in the flame of a candle1 though it may to a small one2 and this not because the large wire resists less that action of the flame which tends to separate its parts1 but because it resists it more than the smaller wire2 or because the force being divided among more parts acts weaker on each4 ,this reminds me1 however1 of a little experiment ,i have frequently made1 that shows1 at one operation1 the different effects of the same quantity of electric fluid passing through different quantities of metal4 ,a strip of tinfoil1 three inches long1 a quarter of an inch wide at one end1 and tapering all the way to a sharp point at the other1 fixed between two pieces of glass1 and having the electricity of a large glass jar sent through it1 will not be discomposed in the broadest part2 towards the middle will appear melted in spots2 where narrower1 it will be quite melted2 and about half an inch of it next the point will be reduced to smoke4 ,you were not mistaken in supposing that your account of the effect of the pointed rod1 in securing ,mr4 ,west's house from damage by a stroke of lightning1 would give me great pleasure4 ,i thank you for it most heartily1 and for the pains you have taken in giving me so complete a description of its situation1 form1 and substance1 with the draft of the melted point4 ,there is one circumstance1 viz4 that the lightning was seen to diffuse itself from the foot of the rod over the wet pavement1 which seems1 ,i think1 to indicate1 that the earth under the pavement was very dry1 and that the rod should have been sunk deeper1 till it came to earth moister1 and therefore apter to receive and dissipate the electric fluid4 ,and although1 in this instance1 a conductor formed of nail rods1 not much above a quarter of an inch thick1 served well to convey the lightning1 yet some accounts ,i have seen from ,carolina1 give reason to think1 that larger may be sometimes necessary1 at least for the security of the conductor itself1 which1 when too small1 may be destroyed in executing its office1 though it does1 at the same time1 preserve the house4 ,indeed1 in the construction of an instrument so new1 and of which we could have so little experience1 it is rather lucky that we should at first be so near the truth as we seem to be1 and commit so few errors4 ,there is another reason for sinking deeper the lower end of the rod1 and also for turning it outwards under ground to some distance from the foundation2 it is this1 that water dripping from the eaves falls near the foundation1 and sometimes soaks down there in greater quantities1 so as to come near the end of the rod1 though the ground about it be drier4 ,in such case1 this water may be exploded1 that is1 blown into vapour1 whereby a force is generated1 that may damage the foundation4 ,water reduced to vapour1 is said to occupy #ad1jjj times its former space4 ,i have sent a charge through a small glass tube1 that has borne it well while empty1 but when filled first with water1 was shattered to pieces and driven all about the room3--,finding no part of the water on the table1 ,i suspected it to have been reduced to vapour2 and was confirmed in that suspicion afterwards1 when ,i had filled a like piece of tube with ink1 and laid it on a sheet of clean paper1 whereon1 after the explosion1 ,i could find neither any moisture nor any sully from the ink4 ,this experiment of the explosion of water1 which ,i believe was first made by that most ingenious electrician1 father ,beccaria1 may account for what we sometimes see in a tree struck by lightning1 when part of it is reduced to fine splinters like a broom2 the sap vessels being so many tubes containing a watry fluid1 which1 when reduced to vapour1 rends every tube lengthways4 ,and perhaps it is this rarefaction of the fluids in animal bodies killed by lightning or electricity1 that1 by separating its fibres1 renders the flesh so tender1 and apt so much sooner to putrify4 ,i think too1 that much of the damage done by lightning to stone and brick-walls may sometimes be owing to the explosion of water1 found1 during showers1 running or lodging in the joints or small cavities or cracks that happen to be in the walls4 ,here are some electricians that recommend knobs instead of points on the upper end of the rods1 from a supposition that the points invite the stroke4 ,it is true that points draw electricity at greater distances in the gradual silent way2 but knobs will draw at the greatest distance a stroke4 ,there is an experiment that will settle this4 ,take a crooked wire of the thickness of a quill1 and of such a length as that one end of it being applied to the lower part of a charged bottle1 the upper may be brought near the ball on the top of the wire that is in the bottle4 ,let one end of this wire be furnished with a knob1 and the other may be gradually tapered to a fine point4 ,when the point is presented to discharge the bottle1 it must be brought much nearer before it will receive the stroke1 than the knob requires to be4 ,points besides tend to repel the fragments of an electrised cloud1 knobs draw them nearer4 ,an experiment1 which ,i believe ,i have shewn you1 of cotton fleece hanging from an electrised body1 shows this clearly when a point or a knob is presented under it4 ,you seem to think highly of the importance of this discovery1 as do many others on our side of the water4 ,here it is very little regarded2 so little1 that though it is now seven or eight years since it was made public1 ,i have not heard of a single house as yet attempted to be secured by it4 ,it is true the mischiefs done by lightning are not so frequent here as with us1 and those who calculate chances may perhaps find that not one death 7or the destruction of one house7 in a hundred thousand happens from that cause1 and that therefore it is scarce worth while to be at any expence to guard against it4--,but in all countries there are particular situations of buildings more exposed than others to such accidents1 and there are minds so strongly impressed with the apprehension of them1 as to be very unhappy every time a little thunder is within their hearing2--it may therefore be well to render this little piece of new knowledge as general and as well understood as possible1 since to make us safe is not all its advantage1 it is some to make us easy4 ,and as the stroke it secures us from might have chanced perhaps but once in our lives1 while it may relieve us a hundred times from those painful apprehensions1 the latter may possibly on the whole contribute more to the happiness of mankind than the former4 ,your kind wishes and congratulations are very obliging4 ,i return them cordially2--being1 with great regard and esteem1 ,my dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend1 ,and most obedient humble servant1 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,accounts from ,carolina 7mentioned in the foregoing ,letter7 of the ,effects of ,lightning on two of the ,rods commonly affixed to ,houses there1 for securing them against ,lightning4 ,charlestown1 ,nov4 #a1 #agfj4 ----,it is some years since ,mr4 ,raven's rod was struck by lightning4 ,i hear an account of it was published at the time1 but ,i cannot find it4 ,according to the best information ,i can now get1 he had fixed to the outside of his chimney a large iron rod1 several feet in length1 reaching above the chimney2 and to the top of this rod the points were fixed4 ,from the lower end of this rod1 a small brass wire was continued down to the top of another iron rod driven into the earth4 ,on the ground-floor in the chimney stood a gun1 leaning against the back-wall1 nearly opposite to where the brass wire came down on the outside4 ,the lightning fell upon the points1 did no damage to the rod they were fixed to2 but the brass wire1 all down till it came opposite to the top of the gun-barrel1 was destroyed#gf4 ,there the lightning made a hole through the wall or back of the chimney1 to get to the gun-barrel#gg1 down which it seems to have passed1 as1 although it did not hurt the barrel1 it damaged the butt of the stock1 and blew up some bricks of the hearth4 ,the brass wire below the hole in the wall remained good4 ,no other damage1 as ,i can learn1 was done to the house4 ,i am told the same house had formerly been struck by lightning1 and much damaged1 before these rods were invented4---- ,,footnotes3 #gf ,a proof that it was not of sufficient substance to conduct with safety to itself 7though with safety so far to the wall7 so large a quantity of the electric fluid4 #gg ,a more substantial conductor4 ,mr4 ,william ,maine's ,account of the ,effects of the ,lightning on his ,rod1 dated at ,indian ,land1 in ,south ,carolina1 ,aug4 #bh1 #agfj4 ----,i had a set of electrical points1 consisting of three prongs1 of large brass wire tipt with silver1 and perfectly sharp1 each about seven inches long2 these were rivetted at equal distances into an iron nut about three quarters of an inch square1 and opened at top equally to the distance of six or seven inches from point to point1 in a regular triangle4 ,this nut was screwed very tight on the top of an iron rod of above half an inch diameter1 or the thickness of a common curtain-rod1 composed of several joints1 annexed by hooks turned at the ends of each joint1 and the whole fixed to the chimney of my house by iron staples4 ,the points were elevated 7a7 six or seven inches above the top of the chimney2 and the lower joint sunk three feet in the earth1 in a perpendicular direction4 ,thus stood the points on ,tuesday last about five in the evening1 when the lightning broke with a violent explosion on the chimney1 cut the rod square off just under the nut1 and ,i am persuaded1 melted the points1 nut1 and top of the rod1 entirely up2 as after the most diligent search1 nothing of either was found 7b71 and the top of the remaining rod was cased over with a congealed solder4 ,the lightning ran down the rod1 starting almost all the staples 7c71 and unhooking the joints without affecting the rod 7d71 except on the inside of each hook where the joints were coupled1 the surface of which was melted 7e71 and left as cased over with solder4--,no part of the chimney was damaged 7f71 only at the foundation 7g71 where it was shattered almost quite round1 and several bricks were torn out 7h74 ,considerable cavities were made in the earth quite round the foundation1 but most within eight or nine inches of the rod4 ,it also shattered the bottom weather-board 7i7 at one corner of the house1 and made a large hole in the earth by the corner post4 ,on the other side of the chimney1 it ploughed up several furrows in the earth1 some yards in length4 ,it ran down the inside of the chimney 7k71 carrying only soot with it2 and filled the whole house with its flash 7l71 smoke1 and dust4 ,it tore up the hearth in several places 7m71 and broke some pieces of china in the beaufet 7n74 ,a copper tea-kettle standing in the chimney was beat together1 as if some great weight had fallen upon it 7o72 and three holes1 each about half an inch diameter1 melted through the bottom 7p74 ,what seems to me the most surprising is1 that the hearth under the kettle was not hurt1 yet the bottom of the kettle was drove inward1 as if the lightning proceeded from under it upwards 7q71 and the cover was thrown to the middle of the floor 7r74 ,the fire dogs1 an iron logger-head1 an ,indian pot1 an earthen cup1 and a cat1 were all in the chimney at the time unhurt1 though a great part of the hearth was torn up 7s74 ,my wife's sister1 two children1 and a negro wench1 were all who happened to be in the house at the time3 the first1 and one child1 sat within five feet of the chimney2 and were so stunned1 that they never saw the lightning nor heard the explosion2 the wench1 with the other child in her arms1 sitting at a greater distance1 was sensible of both2 though every one was so stunned that they did not recover for some time2 however it pleased ,god that no farther mischief ensued4 ,the kitchen1 at #ij feet distance1 was full of negroes1 who were all sensible of the shock2 and some of them tell me1 that they felt the rod about a minute after1 when it was so hot that they could not bear it in hand4 ,,remarks ,,by ,,benjamin ,,franklin4 ,the foregoing very sensible and distinct account may afford a good deal of instruction relating to the nature and effects of lightning1 and to the construction and use of this instrument for averting the mischiefs of it4 ,like other new instruments1 this appears to have been at first in some respects imperfect2 and we find that we are1 in this as in others1 to expect improvement from experience chiefly3 but there seems to be nothing in the account1 that should discourage us in the use of it2 since at the same time that its imperfections are discovered1 the means of removing them are pretty easily to be learnt from the circumstances of the account itself2 and its utility upon the whole is manifest4 ,one intention of the pointed rod1 is1 to prevent a stroke of lightning4 7,see pages #bhc1 #caj47 ,but to have a better chance of obtaining this end1 the points should not be too near to the top of the chimney or highest part of the building to which they are affixed1 but should be extended five or six feet above it2 otherwise their operation in silently drawing off the fire 7from such fragments of cloud as float in the air between the great body of cloud and the earth7 will be prevented4 ,for the experiment with the lock of cotton hanging below the electrified prime conductor shows1 that a finger under it1 being a blunt body1 extends the cotton1 drawing its lower part downwards2 when a needle1 with its point presented to the cotton1 makes it fly up again to the prime conductor2 and that this effect is strongest when as much of the needle as possible appears above the end of the finger2 grows weaker as the needle is shortened between the finger and thumb2 and is reduced to nothing when only a short part below the point appears above the finger4 ,now it seems the points of ,mr4 ,maine's rod were elevated only 7a7 six or seven inches above the top of the chimney2 which1 considering the bulk of the chimney and the house1 was too small an elevation4 ,for the great body of matter near them would hinder their being easily brought into a negative state by the repulsive power of the electrised cloud1 in which negative state it is that they attract most strongly and copiously the electric fluid from other bodies1 and convey it into the earth4 7b7 ,nothing of the points1 c4 could be found4 ,this is a common effect4 7,see page #cab47 ,where the quantity of the electric fluid passing is too great for the conductor through which it passes1 the metal is either melted1 or reduced to smoke and dissipated2 but where the conductor is sufficiently large1 the fluid passes in it without hurting it4 ,thus these three wires were destroyed1 while the rod to which they were fixed1 being of greater substance1 remained unhurt2 its end only1 to which they were joined1 being a little melted1 some of the melted part of the lower ends of those wires uniting with it1 and appearing on it like solder4 7c77d77e7 ,as the several parts of the rod were connected only by the ends being bent round into hooks1 the contact between hook and hook was much smaller than the rod2 therefore the current through the metal being confined in those narrow passages1 melted part of the metal1 as appeared on examining the inside of each hook4 ,where metal is melted by lightning1 some part of it is generally exploded2 and these explosions in the joints appear to have been the cause of unhooking them2 and1 by that violent action1 of starting also most of the staples4 ,we learn from hence1 that a rod in one continued piece is preferable to one composed of links or parts hooked together4 7f7 ,no part of the chimney was damaged3 because the lightning passed in the rod4 ,and this instance agrees with others in showing1 that the second and principal intention of the rods is obtainable1 viz4 that of conducting the lightning4 ,in all the instances yet known of the lightning's falling on any house guarded by rods1 it has pitched down upon the point of the rod1 and has not fallen upon any other part of the house4 ,had the lightning fallen on this chimney1 unfurnished with a rod1 it would probably have rent it from top to bottom1 as we see1 by the effects of the lightning on the points and rod1 that its quantity was very great2 and we know that many chimneys have been so demolished4 ,but no part of this was damaged1 only 7f77g77h7 at the foundation1 where it was shattered and several bricks torn out4 ,here we learn the principal defect in fixing this rod4 ,the lower joint being sunk but three feet into the earth1 did not it seems go low enough to come at water1 or a large body of earth so moist as to receive readily from its end the quantity it conducted4 ,the electric fluid therefore1 thus accumulated near the lower end of the rod1 quitted it at the surface of the earth1 dividing in search of other passages4 ,part of it tore up the surface in furrows1 and made holes in it3 part entered the bricks of the foundation1 which being near the earth are generally moist1 and1 in exploding that moisture1 shattered them4 7,see page #ceh47 ,part went through or under the foundation1 and got under the hearth1 blowing up great part of the bricks 7m77s71 and producing the other effects 7o77p77q77r74 ,the iron dogs1 loggerhead and iron pot were not hurt1 being of sufficient substance1 and they probably protected the cat4 ,the copper tea-kettle being thin suffered some damage4 ,perhaps1 though found on a sound part of the hearth1 it might at the time of the stroke have stood on the part blown up1 which will account both for the bruising and melting4 ,that it ran down the inside of the chimney 7k7 ,i apprehend must be a mistake4 ,had it done so1 ,i imagine it would have brought something more than soot with it2 it would probably have ripped off the pargetting1 and brought down fragments of plaster and bricks4 ,the shake1 from the explosion on the rod1 was sufficient to shake down a good deal of loose soot4 ,lightning does not usually enter houses by the doors1 windows1 or chimneys1 as open passages1 in the manner that air enters them3 its nature is1 to be attracted by substances1 that are conductors of electricity2 it penetrates and passes in them1 and1 if they are not good conductors as are neither wood1 brick1 stone nor plaster1 it is apt to rend them in its passage4 ,it would not easily pass through the air from a cloud to a building1 were it not for the aid afforded it in its passage by intervening fragments of clouds below the main body1 or by the falling rain4 ,it is said that the house was filled with its flash 7l74 ,expressions like this are common in accounts of the effects of lightning1 from which we are apt to understand that the lightning filled the house4 ,our language indeed seems to want a word to express the light of lightning as distinct from the lightning itself4 ,when a tree on a hill is struck by it1 the lightning of that stroke exists only in a narrow vein between the cloud and tree1 but its light fills a vast space many miles round2 and people at the greatest distance from it are apt to say1 ,the lightning came into our rooms through our windows4 ,as it is in itself extremely bright1 it cannot1 when so near as to strike a house1 fail illuminating highly every room in it through the windows2 and this ,i suppose to have been the case at ,mr4 ,maine's2 and that1 except in and near the hearth1 from the causes above-mentioned1 it was not in any other part of the house2 the flash meaning no more than the light of the lightning4--,it is for want of considering this difference1 that people suppose there is a kind of lightning not attended with thunder4 ,in fact there is probably a loud explosion accompanying every flash of lightning1 and at the same instant2--but as sound travels slower than light1 we often hear the sound some seconds of time after having seen the light2 and as sound does not travel so far as light1 we sometimes see the light at a distance too great to hear the sound4 7n7 ,the breaking some pieces of china in the beaufet1 may nevertheless seem to indicate that the lightning was there3 but as there is no mention of its having hurt any part of the beaufet1 or of the walls of the house1 ,i should rather ascribe that effect to the concussion of the air1 or shake of the house by the explosion4 ,thus1 to me it appears1 that the house and its inhabitants were saved by the rod1 though the rod itself was unjointed by the stroke2 and that1 if it had been made of one piece1 and sunk deeper in the earth1 or had entered the earth at a greater distance from the foundation1 the mentioned small damages 7except the melting of the points7 would not have happened4 ,,to ,,dr4 ,h#gh4 ,,at ,,london4 ,on the ,electricity of the ,tourmalin4 ,craven-street1 ,june #g1 #agei4 ,,sir1 ,i now return the smallest of your two tourmalins1 with hearty thanks for your kind present of the other1 which1 though ,i value highly for its rare and wonderful properties1 ,i shall ever esteem it more for the friendship ,i am honoured with by the giver4 ,i hear that the negative electricity of one side of the tourmalin1 when heated1 is absolutely denied 7and all that has been related of it ascribed to prejudice in favour of a system7 by some ingenious gentlemen abroad1 who profess to have made the experiments on the stone with care and exactness4 ,the experiments have succeeded differently with me2 yet ,i would not call the accuracy of those gentlemen in question4 ,possibly the tourmalins they have tried were not properly cut2 so that the positive and negative powers were obliquely placed1 or in some manner whereby their effects were confused1 or the negative parts more easily supplied by the positive4 ,perhaps the lapidaries who have hitherto cut these stones1 had no regard to the situation of the two powers1 but chose to make the faces of the stone where they could obtain the greatest breadth1 or some other advantage in the form4 ,if any of these stones1 in their natural state1 can be procured here1 ,i think it would be right to endeavour finding1 before they are cut1 the two sides that contain the opposite powers1 and make the faces there4 ,possibly1 in that case1 the effects might be stronger1 and more distinct2 for though both these stones that ,i have examined have evidently the two properties1 yet1 without the full heat given by boiling water1 they are somewhat confused2 the virtue seems strongest towards one end of the face2 and in the middle1 or near the other end1 scarce discernible2 and the negative1 ,i think1 always weaker than the positive4 ,i have had the large one new cut1 so as to make both sides alike1 and find the change of form has made no change of power1 but the properties of each side remain the same as ,i found them before4 ,it is now set in a ring in such a manner as to turn on an axis1 that ,i may conveniently1 in making experiments1 come at both side of the stone4 ,the little rim of gold it is set in1 has made no alteration in its effects4 ,the warmth of my finger1 when ,i wear it1 is sufficient to give it some degree of electricity1 so that it is always ready to attract light bodies4 ,the following experiments have satisfied me that ,m4 pinus's account of the positive and negative states of the opposite sides of the heated tourmalin is well founded4 ,i heated the large stone in boiling water4 ,as soon as it was dry1 ,i brought it near a very small cork ball1 that was suspended by a silk thread4 ,the ball was attracted by one face of the stone1 which ,i call ,a1 and then repelled4 ,the ball in that state was also repelled by the positively charged wire of a phial1 and attracted by the other side of the stone1 ,b4 ,the stone being a-fresh heated1 and the side ,b brought near the ball1 it was first attracted1 and presently after repelled by that side4 ,in this second state it was repelled by the negatively charged wire of a phial4 ,therefore1 if the principles now generally received1 relating to positive and negative electricity1 are true1 the side ,a of the large stone1 when the stone is heated in water1 is in a positive state of electricity2 and the side ,b1 in a negative state4 ,the same experiments being made with the small stone stuck by one edge on the end of a small glass tube1 with sealing-wax1 the same effects are produced4 ,the flat side of the small stone gives the signs of positive electricity2 the high side gives the signs of negative electricity4 ,again3 ,i suspended the small stone by a silk thread4 ,i heated it as it hung1 in boiling water4 ,i heated the large one in boiling water4 ,then ,i brought the large stone near to the suspended small one4 ,which immediately turned its flat side to the side ,b of the large stone1 and would cling to it4 ,i turned the ring1 so as to present the side ,a of the large stone1 to the flat side of the small one4 ,the flat side was repelled1 and the small stone1 turning quick1 applied its high side to the side ,a of the large one4 ,this was precisely what ought to happen1 on the supposition that the flat side of the small stone1 when heated in water1 is positive1 and the high side negative2 the side ,a of the large stone positive1 and the side ,b negative4 ,the effect was apparently the same as would have been produced1 if one magnet had been suspended by a thread1 and the different poles of another brought alternately near it4 ,i find that the face ,a1 of the large stone1 being coated with leaf-gold 7attached by the white of an egg1 which will bear dipping in hot water7 becomes quicker and stronger in its effect on the cork ball1 repelling it the instant it comes in contact2 which ,i suppose to be occasioned by the united force of different parts of the face1 collected and acting together through the metal4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #gh ,dr4 ,heberden4 ,editor4 ,,from ,,professor ,,winthrop1 ,,to ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,new ,observation relating to ,electricity in the ,atmosphere4 ,cambridge1 ,n4 ,e4 ,sept4 #bi1 #agfb4 ,,sir1 ,there is an observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere1 which seemed new to me1 though perhaps it will not to you3 however1 ,i will venture to mention it4 ,i have some points on the top of my house1 and the wire where it passes within-side the house is furnished with bells1 according to your method1 to give notice of the passage of the electric fluid4 ,in summer1 these bells1 generally ring at the approach of a thunder-cloud2 but cease soon after it begins to rain4 ,in winter1 they sometimes though not very often1 ring while it is snowing2 but never1 that ,i remember1 when it rains4 ,but what was unexpected to me was1 that1 though the bells had not rung while it was snowing1 yet1 the next day1 after it had done snowing1 and the weather was cleared up1 while the snow was driven about by a high wind at ,w4 or ,n4 ,w4 the bells rung for several hours 7though with little intermissions7 as briskly as ever ,i knew them1 and ,i drew considerable sparks from the wire4 ,this phenomenon ,i never observed but twice2 viz4 on the #cast of ,january1 #agfj1 and the #c;d of ,march1 #agfb4 ,i am1 ,sir1 c4 ,,from ,,mr4 ,a4 ,s#gi4 ,,to ,b4 ,f4 ,flash of ,lightning that struck ,st4 ,bride's ,steeple4 ,i have just recollected that in one of our great storms of lightning1 ,i saw an appearance1 which ,i never observed before1 nor ever heard described4 ,i am persuaded that ,i saw the flash which struck ,st4 ,bride's steeple4 ,sitting at my window1 and looking to the north1 ,i saw what appeared to me a solid strait rod of fire1 moving at a very sharp angle with the horizon4 ,it appeared to my eye as about two inches diameter1 and had nothing of the zig-zag lightning motion4 ,i instantly told a person sitting with me1 that some place must be struck at that instant4 ,i was so much surprized at the vivid distinct appearance of the fire1 that ,i did not hear the clap of thunder1 which stunned every one besides4 ,considering how low it moved1 ,i could not have thought it had gone so far1 having ,st4 ,martin's1 the ,new ,church1 and ,st4 ,clements's steeples in its way4 ,it struck the steeple a good way from the top1 and the first impression it made in the side is in the same direction ,i saw it move in4 ,it was succeeded by two flashes1 almost united1 moving in a pointed direction4 ,there were two distinct houses struck in ,essex-street4 ,i should have thought the rod would have fallen in ,covent-,garden1 it was so low4 ,perhaps the appearance is frequent1 though never before seen by ,your's1 ,a4 ,s4 ,,footnote3 #gi ,mr4 ,alexander ,small4 ,editor4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,p4 ,f#hj4 ,,newport4 ,best ,method of securing a ,powder ,magazine from ,lightning4 ----,you may acquaint the gentleman that desired you to enquire my opinion of the best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning1 that ,i think they cannot do better than to erect a mast not far from it1 which may reach fifteen or twenty feet above the top of it1 with a thick iron rod in one piece fastened to it1 pointed at the highest end1 and reaching down through the earth till it comes to water4 ,iron is a cheap metal2 but if it were dearer1 as this is a public thing the expence is insignificant2 therefore ,i would have the rod at least an inch thick1 to allow for its gradually wasting by rust2 it will last as long as the mast1 and may be renewed with it4 ,the sharp point for five or six inches should be gilt4 ,but there is another circumstance of importance to the strength1 goodness1 and usefulness of the powder1 which does not seem to have been enough attended to3 ,i mean the keeping it perfectly dry4 ,for want of a method of doing this1 much is spoiled in damp magazines1 and much so damaged as to become of little value4--,if1 instead of barrels it were kept in cases of bottles well corked2 or in large tin canisters1 with small covers shutting close by means of oiled paper between1 or covering the joining on the canister2 or if in barrels1 then the barrels lined with thin sheet lead2 no moisture in either of these methods could possibly enter the powder1 since glass and metals are both impervious to water4 ,by the latter of these means you see tea is brought dry and crisp from ,china to ,europe1 and thence to ,america1 though it comes all the way by sea in the damp hold of a ship4 ,and by this method1 grain1 meal1 c4 if well dried before it is put up1 may be kept for ages sound and good4 ,there is another thing very proper to line small barrels with2 it is what they call tin-foil1 or leaf-tin1 being tin milled between rollers till it becomes as thin as paper1 and more pliant1 at the same time that its texture is extremely close4 ,it may be applied to the wood with common paste1 made with boiling-water thickened with flour2 and1 so laid on2 will lie very close and stick well3 but ,i should prefer a hard sticky varnish for that purpose1 made of linseed oil much boiled4 ,the heads might be lined separately1 the tin wrapping a little round their edges4 ,the barrel1 while the lining is laid on1 should have the end hoops slack1 so that the staves standing at a little distance from each other1 may admit the head into its groove4 ,the tin-foil should be plyed into the groove4 ,then1 one head being put in1 and that end hooped tight1 the barrel would be fit to receive the powder1 and when the other head is put in and the hoops drove up1 the powder would be safe from moisture even if the barrel were kept under water4 ,this tin-foil is but about eighteen pence sterling a pound1 and is so extremely thin1 that ,i imagine a pound of it would line three or four powder-barrels4 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #hj ,peter ,franklin4 ,editor4 ,of ,lightning1 and the ,methods 7now used in ,america7 of securing ,buildings and ,persons from its mischievous ,effects4 ,experiments made in electricity first gave philosophers a suspicion1 that the matter of lightning was the same with the electric matter4 ,experiments afterwards made on lightning obtained from the clouds by pointed rods1 received into bottles1 and subjected to every trial1 have since proved this suspicion to be perfectly well founded2 and that whatever properties we find in electricity1 are also the properties of lightning4 ,this matter of lightning1 or of electricity1 is an extreme subtile fluid1 penetrating other bodies1 and subsisting in them1 equally diffused4 ,when by any operation of art or nature1 there happens to be a greater proportion of this fluid in one body than in another1 the body which has most will communicate to that which has least1 till the proportion becomes equal2 provided the distance between them be not too great2 or1 if it is too great1 till there be proper conductors to convey it from one to the other4 ,if the communication be through the air without any conductor1 a bright light is seen between the bodies1 and a sound is heard4 ,in our small experiments1 we call this light and sound the electric spark and snap2 but in the great operations of nature1 the light is what we call lightning1 and the sound 7produced at the same time1 though generally arriving later at our ears than the light does to our eyes7 is1 with its echoes1 called thunder4 ,if the communication of this fluid is by a conductor1 it may be without either light or sound1 the subtle fluid passing in the substance of the conductor4 ,if the conductor be good and of sufficient bigness1 the fluid passes through it without hurting it4 ,if otherwise1 it is damaged or destroyed4 ,all metals1 and water1 are good conductors4--,other bodies may become conductors by having some quantity of water in them1 as wood1 and other materials used in building1 but not having much water in them1 they are not good conductors1 and therefore are often damaged in the operation4 ,glass1 wax1 silk1 wool1 hair1 feathers1 and even wood1 perfectly dry are non-conductors3 that is1 they resist instead of facilitating the passage of this subtle fluid4 ,when this fluid has an opportunity of passing through two conductors1 one good1 and sufficient1 as of metal1 the other not so good1 it passes in the best1 and will follow it in any direction4 ,the distance at which a body charged with this fluid will discharge itself suddenly1 striking through the air into another body that is not charged1 or not so highly charged1 is different according to the quantity of the fluid1 the dimensions and form of the bodies themselves1 and the state of the air between them4--,this distance1 whatever it happens to be between any two bodies1 is called their striking distance1 as1 till they come within that distance of each other1 no stroke will be made4 ,the clouds have often more of this fluid in proportion than the earth2 in which case1 as soon as they come near enough 7that is1 within the striking distance7 or meet with a conductor1 the fluid quits them and strikes into the earth4 ,a cloud fully charged with this fluid1 if so high as to be beyond the striking distance from the earth1 passes quietly without making noise or giving light2 unless it meets with other clouds that have less4 ,tall trees1 and lofty buildings1 as the towers and spires of churches1 become sometimes conductors between the clouds and the earth2 but not being good ones1 that is1 not conveying the fluid freely1 they are often damaged4 ,buildings that have their roofs covered with lead1 or other metal1 and spouts of metal continued from the roof into the ground to carry off the water1 are never hurt by lightning1 as1 whenever it falls on such a building1 it passes in the metals and not in the walls4 ,when other buildings happen to be within the striking distance from such clouds1 the fluid passes in the walls whether of wood1 brick or stone1 quitting the walls only when it can find better conductors near them1 as metal rods1 bolts1 and hinges of windows or doors1 gilding on wainscot1 or frames of pictures1 the silvering on the backs of looking-glasses1 the wires for bells1 and the bodies of animals1 as containing watery fluids4 ,and in passing through the house it follows the direction of these conductors1 taking as many in its way as can assist it in its passage1 whether in a strait1 or crooked line leaping from one to the other1 if not far distant from each other1 only rending the wall in the spaces where these partial good conductors are too distant from each other4 ,an iron rod being placed on the outside of a building1 from the highest part continued down into the moist earth1 in any direction strait or crooked1 following the form of the roof or other parts of the building1 will receive the lightning at its upper end1 attracting it so as to prevent its striking any other part2 and1 affording it a good conveyance into the earth1 will prevent its damaging any part of the building4 ,a small quantity of metal is found able to conduct a great quantity of this fluid4 ,a wire no bigger than a goose-quill has been known to conduct 7with safety to the building as far as the wire was continued7 a quantity of lightning that did prodigious damage both above and below it2 and probably larger rods are not necessary1 though it is common in ,america1 to make them of half an inch1 some of three quarters1 or an inch diameter4 ,the rod may be fastened to the wall1 chimney1 c4 with staples of iron4--,the lightning will not leave the rod 7a good conductor7 to pass into the wall 7a bad conductor7 through those staples4--,it would rather1 if any were in the wall1 pass out of it into the rod to get more readily by that conductor into the earth4 ,if the building be very large and extensive1 two or more rods may be placed at different parts1 for greater security4 ,small ragged parts of clouds1 suspended in the air between the great body of clouds and the earth 7like leaf gold in electrical experiments7 often serve as partial conductors for the lightning1 which proceeds from one of them to another1 and by their help comes within the striking distance to the earth or a building4 ,it therefore strikes through those conductors a building that would otherwise be out of the striking distance4 ,long sharp points communicating with the earth1 and presented to such parts of clouds1 drawing silently from them the fluid they are charged with1 they are then attracted to the cloud1 and may leave the distance so great as to be beyond the reach of striking4 ,it is therefore that we elevate the upper end of the rod six or eight feet above the highest part of the building1 tapering it gradually to a fine sharp point1 which is gilt to prevent its rusting4 ,thus the pointed rod either prevents a stroke from the cloud1 or1 if a stroke is made1 conducts it to the earth with safety to the building4 ,the lower end of the rod should enter the earth so deep as to come at the moist part1 perhaps two or three feet2 and if bent when under the surface so as to go in a horizontal line six or eight feet from the wall1 and then bent again downwards three or four feet1 it will prevent damage to any of the stones of the foundation4 ,a person apprehensive of danger from lightning1 happening during the time of thunder to be in a house not so secured1 will do well to avoid sitting near the chimney1 near a looking glass1 or any gilt pictures or wainscot2 the safest place is in the middle of the room 7so it be not under a metal lustre suspended by a chain7 sitting in one chair and laying the feet up in another4 ,it is still safer to bring two or three mattrasses or beds into the middle of the room1 and1 folding them up double1 place the chair upon them2 for they not being so good conductors as the walls1 the lightning will not chuse an interrupted course through the air of the room and the bedding1 when it can go through a continued better conductor1 the wall4 ,but where it can be had1 a hammock or swinging bed1 suspended by silk cords equally distant from the walls on every side1 and from the cieling and floor above and below1 affords the safest situation a person can have in any room whatever2 and what indeed may be deemed quite free from danger of any stroke by lightning4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,paris1 ,sept4 #agfg4 ,,from ,j4 ,w4#ha ,,esq4 ,,professor ,,of ,,natural ,,philosophy ,,at ,,cambridge1 ,,in ,,new ,,england1 ,,jan4 #f1 #agfh4 ,st4 ,bride's ,steeple4--,utility of ,electrical ,conductors to ,steeples4--,singular kind of ,glass tube4 99999999 ,i have read in the ,philosophical ,transactions the account of the effects of lightning on ,st4 ,bride's steeple4 ,it is amazing to me1 that after the full demonstration you had given1 of the identity of lightning and of electricity1 and the power of metalline conductors1 they should ever think of repairing that steeple without such conductors4 ,how astonishing is the force of prejudice even in an age of so much knowledge and free enquiry6 ,,answer ,,to ,,the ,,above4 99999999 ,it is perhaps not so extraordinary that unlearned men1 such as commonly compose our church vestries1 should not yet be acquainted with1 and sensible of the benefits of metal conductors in averting the stroke of lightning1 and preserving our houses from its violent effects1 or that they should be still prejudiced against the use of such conductors1 when we see how long even philosophers1 men of extensive science and great ingenuity1 can hold out against the evidence of new knowledge1 that does not square with their preconceptions2 and how long men can retain a practice that is conformable to their prejudices1 and expect a benefit from such practice1 though constant experience shows its inutility4 ,a late piece of the ,abb ,nollet1 printed last year in the memoirs of the ,french ,academy of ,sciences1 affords strong instances of this3 for though the very relations he gives of the effects of lightning in several churches and other buildings show clearly1 that it was conducted from one part to another by wires1 gildings1 and other pieces of metal that were within1 or connected with the building1 yet in the same paper he objects to the providing metalline conductors without the building1 as useless or dangerous4#hb ,he cautions people not to ring the church bells during a thunder-storm1 lest the lightning1 in its way to the earth1 should be conducted down to them by the bell ropes1#hc which are but bad conductors2 and yet is against fixing metal rods on the outside of the steeple1 which are known to be much better conductors1 and which it would certainly chuse to pass in1 rather than in dry hemp4 ,and though for a thousand years past bells have been solemnly consecrated by the ,romish church#hd1 in expectation that the sound of such blessed bells would drive away those storms1 and secure our buildings from the stroke of lightning2 and during so long a period1 it has not been found by experience1 that places within the reach of such blessed sound1 are safer than others where it is never heard2 but that on the contrary1 the lightning seems to strike steeples of choice1 and that at the very time the bells are ringing#he2 yet still they continue to bless the new bells1 and jangle the old ones whenever it thunders4--,one would think it was now time to try some other trick2--and ours is recommended 7whatever this able philosopher may have been told to the contrary7 by more than twelve years experience1 wherein1 among the great number of houses furnished with iron rods in ,north ,america1 not one so guarded has been materially hurt with lightning1 and several have been evidently preserved by their means2 while a number of houses1 churches1 barns1 ships1 c4 in different places1 unprovided with rods1 have been struck and greatly damaged1 demolished or burnt4 ,probably the vestries of our ,english churches are not generally well acquainted with these facts2 otherwise1 since as good protestants they have no faith in the blessing of bells1 they would be less excusable in not providing this other security for their respective churches1 and for the good people that may happen to be assembled in them during a tempest1 especially as those buildings1 from their greater height1 are more exposed to the stroke of lightning than our common dwellings4 ,i have nothing new in the philosophical way to communicate to you1 except what follows4 ,when ,i was last year in ,germany1 ,i met with a singular kind of glass1 being a tube about eight inches long1 half an inch in diameter1 with a hollow ball of near an inch diameter at one end1 and one of an inch and half at the other1 hermetically sealed1 and half filled with water4--,if one end is held in the hand1 and the other a little elevated above the level1 a constant succession of large bubbles proceeds from the end in the hand to the other end1 making an appearance that puzzled me much1 till ,i found that the space not filled with water was also free from air1 and either filled with a subtle invisible vapour continually rising from the water1 and extremely rarefiable by the least heat at one end1 and condensable again by the least coolness at the other2 or it is the very fluid of fire itself1 which parting from the hand pervades the glass1 and by its expansive force depresses the water till it can pass between it and the glass1 and escape to the other end1 where it gets through the glass again into the air4 ,i am rather inclined to the first opinion1 but doubtful between the two4 ,an ingenious artist here1 ,mr4 ,nairne1 mathematical instrument-maker1 has made a number of them from mine1 and improved them1 for his are much more sensible than those ,i brought from ,germany4--,i bored a very small hole through the wainscot in the seat of my window1 through which a little cold air constantly entered1 while the air in the room was kept warmer by fires daily made in it1 being winter time4 ,i placed one of his glasses1 with the elevated end against this hole2 and the bubbles from the other end1 which was in a warmer situation1 were continually passing day and night1 to the no small surprise of even philosophical spectators4 ,each bubble discharged is larger than that from which it proceeds1 and yet that is not diminished2 and by adding itself to the bubble at the other end1 that bubble is not increased1 which seems very paradoxical4--,when the balls at each end are made large1 and the connecting tube very small and bent at right angles1 so that the balls1 instead of being at the ends1 are brought on the side of the tube1 and the tube is held so as that the balls are above it1 the water will be depressed in that which is held in the hand1 and rise in the other as a jet or fountain2 when it is all in the other1 it begins to boil1 as it were1 by the vapour passing up through it2 and the instant it begins to boil1 a sudden coldness is felt in the ball held2 a curious experiment1 this1 first observed and shown me by ,mr4 ,nairne4 ,there is something in it similar to the old observation1 ,i think mentioned by ,aristotle1 that the bottom of a boiling pot is not warm2 and perhaps it may help to explain that fact2--if indeed it be a fact4--,when the water stands at an equal height in both these balls1 and all at rest2 if you wet one of the balls by means of a feather dipt in spirit1 though that spirit is of the same temperament as to heat and cold with the water in the glasses1 yet the cold occasioned by the evaporation of the spirit from the wetted ball will so condense the vapour over the water contained in that ball1 as that the water of the other ball will be pressed up into it1 followed by a succession of bubbles1 till the spirit is all dried away4 ,perhaps the observations on these little instruments may suggest and be applied to some beneficial uses4 ,it has been thought1 that water reduced to vapour by heat was rarefied only fourteen thousand times1 and on this principle our engines for raising water by fire are said to be constructed3 but if the vapour so much rarefied from water is capable of being itself still farther rarefied to a boundless degree by the application of heat to the vessels or parts of vessels containing the vapour 7as at first it is applied to those containing the water7 perhaps a much greater power may be obtained1 with little additional expence4 ,possibly too1 the power of easily moving water from one end to the other of a moveable beam 7suspended in the middle like a scale-beam7 by a small degree of heat1 may be applied advantageously to some other mechanical purposes499999999 ,i am1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnotes3 #ha ,john ,winthrop4 ,editor4 #hb ,notre curiosit pourroit peut-tre s'applandir des recherches qu'elle nous a fait faire sur la nature du tonnerre1 sur la mcanisme de ses principaux effets1 mais ce n'est point ce qu'il y a de plus important2 il vaudroit bien mieux que nous puissions tronver quelque moyen de nous en garantir3 on y a pens2 on s'est mme flatt d'avoir fait cette grande dcouverte2 mais malheureusement douze annes d'preuves un peu de rflexion1 nous apprennent qu'il ne faut pas compter sur les promesses qu'on nous a faites4 ,je l'ai dit1 il y a long temps1 and avec regret1 toutes ces pointes de fer qu'on dresse en l'air1 soit comme lectroscopes1 soit comme prservatifs1----sont plus propre nous attirer le feu du tonnerre qu' nous en prserver2---- je persiste dire que le projet d'puiser une nue orageuse du feu dont elle est charge1 n'est pas celui d'un physicien1----4 ,memoire sur les ,effets du ,tonnerre4 #hc ,les cloches1 en vertu de leur bndiction1 doivent carter les orages nous preserver des coups de foudre2 mais l'glise permet la prudence humaine le choix des momens o il convient d'user de ce prservatif4 ,je ne sais si le son1 considr physiquement1 est capable ou non de faire crever une nue1 de causer l'panchement de son feu vers les objets terrestres1 mais il est certain prouv par l'exprience1 que la tonnerre peut tomber sur un clocher1 soit que l'on y sonne ou que l'on n'y sonne point2 si cela arrive dans le premier cas1 les sonneurs sont en grand danger1 parcequ'ils tiennent des cordes par lesquelles la commotion de la foudre peut se communiquer jusq' eux3 il est donc plus sage de laisser les cloches en repos quand l'orage est arriv au-dessus de l'glise4 ,ibid4 #hd ,suivant le rituel de ,paris1 lorsqu'on benit des cloches1 on recite les oraisons suivantes3 ,benedic1 ,domine 444 quotiescumque sonuerit1 procul recedat virtus insidiantium1 umbra phantasmatis1 incursio turbinum1 percussio fulminum1 lsio tonitruum1 calamitas tempestatum1 omnisque spiritus procellarum1 c4 ,deus1 qui per beatum ,mosen1 c4 444 procul pellentur insidi inimici1 fragor grandinum1 procella turbinum1 impetus tempestatum1 temperentur infesta tonitrua4 c4 ,omnipotens sempiterne ,deus1 c4 444 ut ante sonitum ejus effugentur ignita jacula inimici1 percussio fulminum1 impetus lapidum1 lsio tempestatum1 c4 #he ,en #agah4 ,m4 ,deslandes fit savoir l',academie ,royale des sciences1 que la nuit du #ad ou #ae d',avril de la mme anne1 le tonnerre toit tomb sur vingtquatre glises1 dequis ,landernau jusqu' ,saint-,pol-de-,lon en ,bretagne2 que ces glises toient prcisment celles o l'on sonnoit1 que la foudre avoit pargn celles ou l'on ne sonnoit pas3 que dans celle de ,gouisnon1 qui fut entirement ruine1 le tonnerre tua deux personnes de quatre qui sonnoient1 c4 ,hist4 du l',ac4 ,r4 des ,sci4 #agai4 ,experiments1 ,observations1 and ,facts1 tending to support the ,opinion of the ,utility of long pointed ,rods1 for securing ,buildings from ,damage by ,strokes of ,lightning4 ,read at the ,committee appointed to consider the erecting ,conductors to secure the ,magazines at ,purfleet1 ,aug4 #bg1 #aggb4 ,,experiment ,i4 ,the prime conductor of an electric machine1 ,a4 ,b4 7,see ,plate ,,iv47 being supported about #aj inches and a half above the table by a wax-stand1 and under it erected a pointed wire #g inches and a half high1 and one-fifth of an inch thick1 and tapering to a sharp point1 and communicating with the table2 when the point 7being uppermost7 is covered by the end of a finger1 the conductor may be full charged1 and the electrometer c#hf1 will rise to the height indicating a full charge3 but the moment the point is uncovered1 the ball of the electrometer drops1 showing the prime conductor to be instantly discharged and nearly emptied of its electricity4 ,turn the wire its blunt end upwards 7which represents an unpointed bar7 and no such effect follows1 the electrometer remaining at its usual height when the prime conductor is charged4 ,illustration3 7of these experiments7 ,plate ,,iv4 ,vol4 ,i4 page #chh4 ,published as the ,act directs1 ,april #a1 #ahjf1 by ,longman1 ,hurst1 ,rees ,orme1 ,paternoster ,row4 ,,observation4 ,what quantity of lightning1 a high pointed rod well communicating with the earth may be expected to discharge from the clouds silently in a short time1 is yet unknown2 but ,i have reason from a particular fact to think it may at some times be very great4 ,in ,philadelphia ,i had such a rod fixed to the top of my chimney1 and extending about nine feet above it4 ,from the foot of this rod1 a wire 7the thickness of a goose-quill7 came through a covered glass tube in the roof1 and down through the well of the stair-case2 the lower end connected with the iron spear of a pump4 ,on the stair-case opposite to my chamber-door1 the wire was divided2 the ends separated about six inches1 a little bell on each end2 and between the bells a little brass ball suspended by a silk thread1 to play between and strike the bells when clouds passed with electricity in them4 ,after having frequently drawn sparks and charged bottles from the bell of the upper wire1 ,i was one night waked by loud cracks on the stair-case4 ,starting up and opening the door1 ,i perceived that the brass ball1 instead of vibrating as usual between the bells1 was repelled and kept at a distance from both2 while the fire passed sometimes in very large quick cracks from bell to bell2 and sometimes in a continued dense white stream1 seemingly as large as my finger1 whereby the whole stair-case was enlightened as with sunshine1 so that one might see to pick up a pin#hg4 ,and from the apparent quantity thus discharged1 ,i cannot but conceive that a number#hh of such conductors must considerably lessen that of any approaching cloud1 before it comes so near as to deliver its contents in a general stroke3--,an effect not to be expected from bars unpointed2 if the above experiment with the blunt end of the wire is deemed pertinent to the case4 ,,experiment ,,ii4 ,the pointed wire under the prime conductor continuing of the same height1 pinch it between the thumb and finger near the top1 so as just to conceal the point2 then turning the globe1 the electrometer will rise and mark the full charge4 ,slip the fingers down so as to discover about half an inch of the wire1 then another half inch1 and then another2 at every one of these motions discovering more and more of the pointed wire2 you will see the electrometer fall quick and proportionably1 stopping when you stop4 ,if you slip down the whole distance at once1 the ball falls instantly down to the stem4 ,,observation4 ,from this experiment it seems that a greater effect in drawing off the lightning from the clouds may be expected from long pointed rods1 than from short ones2 ,i mean from such as show the greatest length1 above the building they are fixed on4 ,,experiment ,,iii4 ,instead of pinching the point between the thumb and finger1 as in the last experiment1 keep the thumb and finger each at near an inch distance from it1 but at the same height1 the point between them4 ,in this situation1 though the point is fairly exposed to the prime conductor1 it has little or no effect2 the electrometer rises to the height of a full charge4--,but the moment the fingers are taken away1 the ball falls quick to the stem4 ,,observation4 ,to explain this1 it is supposed1 that one reason of the sudden effect produced by a long naked pointed wire is1 that 7by the repulsive power of the positive charge in the prime conductor7 the natural quantity of electricity contained in the pointed wire is driven down into the earth1 and the point of the wire made strongly negative2 whence it attracts the electricity of the prime conductor more strongly than bodies in their natural state would do2 the small quantity of common matter in the point1 not being able by its attractive force to retain its natural quantity of the electric fluid1 against the force of that repulsion4--,but the finger and thumb being substantial and blunt bodies1 though as near the prime conductor1 hold up better their own natural quantity against the force of that repulsion2 and so1 continuing nearly in the natural state1 they jointly operate on the electric fluid in the point1 opposing its descent1 and aiding the point to retain it2 contrary to the repelling power of the prime conductor1 which would drive it down4--,and this may also serve to explain the different powers of the point in the preceding experiment1 on the slipping down the finger and thumb to different distances4 ,hence is collected1 that a pointed rod erected between two tall chimnies1 and very little higher 7an instance of which ,i have seen7 cannot have so good an effect1 as if it had been erected on one of the chimneys1 its whole length above it4 ,,experiment ,,iv4 ,if1 instead of a long pointed wire1 a large solid body 7to represent a building without a point7 be brought under and as near the prime conductor1 when charged2 the ball of the electrometer will fall a little2 and on taking away the large body1 will rise again4 ,,observation4 ,its rising again shows that the prime conductor lost little or none of its electric charge1 as it had done through the point3 the falling of the ball while the large body was under the conductor therefore shows1 that a quantity of its atmosphere was drawn from the end where the electrometer is placed to the part immediately over the large body1 and there accumulated ready to strike into it with its whole undiminished force1 as soon as within the striking distance2 and1 were the prime conductor moveable like a cloud1 it would approach the body by attraction till within that distance4 ,the swift motion of clouds1 as driven by the winds1 probably prevents this happening so often as otherwise it might do3 for1 though parts of the cloud may stoop towards a building as they pass1 in consequence of such attraction1 yet they are carried forward beyond the striking distance before they could by their descending come within it4 ,,experiment ,v4 ,attach a small light lock of cotton to the underside of the prime conductor1 so that it may hang down towards the pointed wire mentioned in the first experiment4 ,cover the point with your finger1 and the globe being turned1 the cotton will extend itself1 stretching down towards the finger1 as at a2 but on uncovering the point1 it instantly flies up to the prime conductor1 as at b1 and continues there as long as the point is uncovered4 ,the moment you cover it again1 the cotton flies down again1 extending itself towards the finger2 and the same happens in degree1 if 7instead of the finger7 you use1 uncovered1 the blunt end of the wire uppermost4 ,,observation4 ,to explain this1 it is supposed that the cotton1 by its connection with the prime conductor1 receives from it a quantity of its electricity2 which occasions its being attracted by the finger that remains still in nearly its natural state4 ,but when a point is opposed to the cotton1 its electricity is thereby taken from it1 faster than it can at a distance be supplied with a fresh quantity from the conductor4 ,therefore being reduced nearer to the natural state1 it is attracted up to the electrified prime conductor2 rather than down1 as before1 to the finger4 ,supposing farther that the prime conductor represents a cloud charged with the electric fluid2 the cotton1 a ragged fragment of cloud 7of which the underside of great thunder-clouds are seen to have many7 the finger1 a chimney or highest part of a building4--,we then may conceive that when such a cloud passes over a building1 some one of its ragged under-hanging fragments may be drawn down by the chimney or other high part of the edifice2 creating thereby a more easy communication between it and the great cloud4--,but a long pointed rod being presented to this fragment1 may occasion its receding1 like the cotton1 up to the great cloud2 and thereby increase1 instead of lessening the distance1 so as often to make it greater than the striking distance4 ,turning the blunt end of a wire uppermost 7which represents the unpointed bar7 it appears that the same good effect is not from that to be expected4 ,a long pointed rod it is therefore imagined1 may prevent some strokes2 as well as conduct others that fall upon it1 when a great body of cloud comes on so heavily that the above repelling operation on fragments cannot take place4 ,,experiment ,,vi4 ,opposite the side of the prime conductor place separately1 isolated by wax stems1 ,mr4 ,canton's two boxes with pith balls suspended by fine linen threads4 ,on each box1 lay a wire six inches long and one-fifth of an inch thick1 tapering to a sharp point2 but so laid1 as that four inches of the pointed end of one wire1 and an equal length of the blunt end of the other1 may project beyond the ends of the boxes2 and both at eighteen inches distance from the prime conductor4 ,then charging the prime conductor by a turn or two of the globe1 the balls of each pair will separate2 those of the box1 whence the point projects most1 considerably2 the others less4 ,touch the prime conductor1 and those of the box with the blunt point will collapse1 and join4 ,those connected with the point will at the same time approach each other1 till within about an inch1 and there remain4 ,,observation4 ,this seems a proof1 that though the small sharpened part of the wire must have had a less natural quantity in it before the operation1 than the thick blunt part2 yet a greater quantity was driven down from it to the balls4 ,thence it is again inferred1 that the pointed rod is rendered more negative3 and farther1 that if a stroke must fall from the cloud over a building1 furnished with such a rod1 it is more likely to be drawn to that pointed rod1 than to a blunt one2 as being more strongly negative1 and of course its attraction stronger4 ,and it seems more eligible1 that the lightning should fall on the point of the conductor 7provided to convey it into the earth7 than on any other part of the building1 thence to proceed to such conductor4 ,which end is also more likely to be obtained by the length and loftiness of the rod2 as protecting more extensively the building under it4 ,it has been objected1 that erecting pointed rods upon edifices1 is to invite and draw the lightning into them2 and therefore dangerous4 ,were such rods to be erected on buildings1 without continuing the communication quite down into the moist earth1 this objection might then have weight2 but when such compleat conductors are made1 the lightning is invited not into the building1 but into the earth1 the situation it aims at1 and which it always seizes every help to obtain1 even from broken partial metalline conductors4 ,it has also been suggested1 that from such electric experiments nothing certain can be concluded as to the great operations of nature2 since it is often seen1 that experiments1 which have succeeded in small1 in large have failed4 ,it is true that in mechanics this has sometimes happened4 ,but when it is considered that we owe our first knowledge of the nature and operations of lightning1 to observations on such small experiments2 and that on carefully comparing the most accurate accounts of former facts1 and the exactest relations of those that have occurred since1 the effects have surprizingly agreed with the theory2 it is humbly conceived that in natural philosophy1 in this branch of it at least1 the suggestion has not so much weight2 and that the farther new experiments now adduced in recommendation of long sharp-pointed rods1 may have some claim to credit and consideration4 ,it has been urged too1 that though points may have considerable effects on a small prime conductor at small distances2 yet on great clouds and at great distances1 nothing is to be expected from them4 ,to this it is answered1 that in those small experiments it is evident the points act at a greater than the striking distance2 and in the large way1 their service is only expected where there is such nearness of the cloud1 as to endanger a stroke2 and there1 it cannot be doubted the points must have some effect4 ,and if the quantity discharged by a single pointed rod may be so considerable as ,i have shown it2 the quantity discharged by a number will be proportionably greater4 ,but this part of the theory does not depend alone on small experiments4 ,since the practice of erecting pointed rods in ,america 7now near twenty years7 five of them have been struck by lightning1 viz4 ,mr4 ,raven's and ,mr4 ,maine's in ,south ,carolina2 ,mr4 ,tucker's in ,virginia2 ,mr4 ,west's and ,mr4 ,moulder's in ,philadelphia4 ,possibly there may have been more that have not come to my knowledge4 ,but in every one of these1 the lightning did not fall upon the body of the house1 but precisely on the several points of the rods2 and1 though the conductors were sometimes not sufficiently large and complete1 was conveyed into the earth1 without any material damage to the buildings4 ,facts then in great1 as far as we have them authenticated1 justify the opinion that is drawn from the experiments in small as above related4 ,it has also been objected1 that unless we knew the quantity that might possibly be discharged at one stroke from the clouds1 we cannot be sure we have provided sufficient conductors2 and therefore cannot depend on their conveying away all that may fall on their points4 ,indeed we have nothing to form a judgment by in this but past facts2 and we know of no instance where a compleat conductor to the moist earth has been insufficient1 if half an inch diameter4 ,it is probable that many strokes of lightning have been conveyed through the common leaden pipes affixed to houses to carry down the water from the roof to the ground3 and there is no account of such pipes being melted and destroyed1 as must sometimes have happened if they had been insufficient4 ,we can then only judge of the dimensions proper for a conductor of lightning1 as we do of those proper for a conductor of rain1 by past observation4 ,and as we think a pipe of three inches bore sufficient to carry off the rain that falls on a square of #bj feet1 because we never saw such a pipe glutted by any shower2 so we may judge a conductor of an inch diameter1 more than sufficient for any stroke of lightning that will fall on its point4 ,it is true that if another deluge should happen wherein the windows of heaven are to be opened1 such pipes may be unequal to the falling quantity2 and if ,god for our sins should think fit to rain fire upon us1 as upon some cities of old1 it is not expected that our conductors of whatever size1 should secure our houses against a miracle4 ,probably as water drawn up into the air and there forming clouds1 is disposed to fall again in rain by its natural gravity1 as soon as a number of particles sufficient to make a drop can get together2 so when the clouds are 7by whatever means7 over or under-charged with the electric fluid to a degree sufficient to attract them towards the earth1 the equilibrium is restored1 before the difference becomes great beyond that degree4 ,mr4 ,lane's electrometer1 for limiting precisely the quantity of a shock that is to be administered in a medical view1 may serve to make this more easily intelligible4 ,the discharging knob does by a screw approach the conductor to the distance intended1 but there remains fixed4 ,whatever power there may be in the glass globe to collect the fulminating fluid1 and whatever capacity of receiving and accumulating it there may be in the bottle or glass jar2 yet neither the accumulation or the discharge ever exceeds the destined quantity4 ,thus1 were the clouds always at a certain fixed distance from the earth1 all discharges would be made when the quantity accumulated was equal to the distance3 ,but there is a circumstance which by occasionally lessening the distance1 lessens the discharge2 to wit1 the moveableness of the clouds1 and their being drawn nearer to the earth by attraction when electrified2 so that discharges are thereby rendered more frequent and of course less violent4 ,hence whatever the quantity may be in nature1 and whatever the power in the clouds of collecting it2 yet an accumulation and force beyond what mankind has hitherto been acquainted with is scarce to be expected#hi4 ,b4 ,f4 ,aug4 #bg1 #aggb4 ,,footnotes3 #hf ,mr4 ,henley's4 #hg ,mr4 de ,romas saw still greater quantities of lightning brought down by the wire of his kite4 ,he had explosions from it1 the noise of which greatly resembled that of thunder1 and were heard 7from without7 into the heart of the city1 notwithstanding the various noises there4 ,the fire seen at the instant of the explosion had the shape of a spindle eight inches long and five lines in diameter4 ,yet from the time of the explosion to the end of the experiment1 no lightning was seen above1 nor any thunder heard4 ,at another time the streams of fire issuing from it were observed to be an inch thick and ten feet long4--,see ,dr4 ,priestley's ,history of ,electricity1 pages #acd-f1 first edition4 #hh ,twelve were proposed on and near the magazines at ,purfleet4 #hi ,it may be fit to mention here1 that the immediate occasion of the dispute concerning the preference between pointed and blunt conductors of lightning1 arose as follows3--,a powder-mill having blown up at ,brescia1 in consequence of its being struck with lightning1 the ,english board of ordnance applied to their painter1 ,mr4 ,wilson1 then of some note as an electrician1 for a method to prevent the like accident to their magazines at ,purfleet4 ,mr4 ,wilson having advised a blunt conductor1 and it being understood that ,dr4 ,franklin's opinion1 formed upon the spot1 was for a pointed one2 the matter was referred in #aggb1 to the ,royal ,society1 and by them as usual1 to a committee1 who1 after consultation1 prescribed a method conformable to ,dr4 ,franklin's theory4 ,but a harmless stroke of lightning1 having under particular circumstances1 fallen upon one of the buildings and its apparatus in ,may #aggg2 the subject came again into violent agitation1 and was again referred to the society1 and by the society again referred to a new committee1 which committee confirmed the decision of the first committee4 ,b4 ,v4#ij #ij ,wherever this signature occurs1 the note is taken from a volume of ,dr4 ,franklin's writings1 entitled ,political1 ,miscellaneous1 and ,philosophical ,pieces1 printed for ,johnson1 #aggi4 ,the editor of that volume1 though a young man at the time1 had already evinced extraordinary talents1 and was the friend and correspondent of our author4 ,as he has chosen to withhold his name1 we conceive ourselves not entitled to disclose it3 but we shall take the freedom of an acquaintance to use the notes occasionally1 deeming them in many instances valuable historical records4 ,editor4 ,,to ,,professor ,,landriani1 ,,of ,,italy4 ,on the ,utility of ,electrical ,conductors4 ,philadelphia1 ,oct4 #ad1 #aghg4 ,,sir1 ,i have received the excellent work1 ,upon the ,utility of electrical ,conductors1 which you had the goodness to send me4 ,i read it with great pleasure1 and beg you to accept my sincere thanks for it4 ,upon my return to this country1 ,i found the number of conductors much increased1 many proofs of their efficacy in preserving buildings from lightning having demonstrated their utility4 ,among other instances1 my own house was one day attacked by lightning1 which occasioned the neighbours to run in to give assistance1 in case of its being on fire4 ,but no damage was done1 and my family was only found a good deal frightened with the violence of the explosion4 ,last year1 my house being enlarged1 the conductor was obliged to be taken down4 ,i found1 upon examination1 that the pointed termination of copper1 which was originally nine inches long1 and about one third of an inch in diameter in its thickest part1 had been almost entirely melted2 and that its connection with the rod of iron below was very slight4 ,thus1 in the course of time1 this invention has proved of use to the author of it1 and has added this personal advantage to the pleasure he before received1 from having been useful to others4 ,mr4 ,rittenhouse1 our astronomer1 has informed me1 that having observed with his excellent telescope1 many conductors that are within the field of his view1 he has remarked in various instances1 that the points were melted in like manner4 ,there is no example of a house1 provided with a perfect conductor1 which has suffered any considerable damage2 and even those which are without them have suffered little1 since conductors have come common in this city4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,john ,,pringle1 ,m4 ,d4 ,,and ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,on the ,effects of ,electricity in paralytic ,cases4 ,craven-street1 ,dec4 #ba1 #ageg4 ,,sir1 ,in compliance with your request1 ,i send you the following account of what ,i can at present recollect relating to the effects of electricity in paralytic cases1 which have fallen under my observation4 ,some years since1 when the news-papers made mention of great cures performed in ,italy and ,germany1 by means of electricity1 a number of paralytics were brought to me from different parts of ,pensylvania1 and the neighbouring provinces1 to be electrised1 which ,i did for them at their request4 ,my method was1 to place the patient first in a chair1 on an electric stool1 and draw a number of large strong sparks from all parts of the affected limb or side4 ,then ,i fully charged two six-gallon glass jars1 each of which had about three square feet of surface coated2 and ,i sent the united shock of these through the affected limb or limbs1 repeating the stroke commonly three times each day4 ,the first thing observed1 was an immediate greater sensible warmth in the lame limbs that had received the stroke than in the others2 and the next morning the patients usually related1 that they had in the night felt a pricking sensation in the flesh of the paralytic limbs2 and would sometimes show a number of small red spots1 which they supposed were occasioned by those prickings4 ,the limbs1 too1 were found more capable of voluntary motion1 and seemed to receive strength4 ,a man1 for instance1 who could not the first day lift the lame hand from off his knee1 would the next day raise it four or five inches1 the third day higher2 and on the fifth day was able1 but with a feeble languid motion1 to take off his hat4 ,these appearances gave great spirits to the patients1 and made them hope a perfect cure2 but ,i do not remember that ,i ever saw any amendment after the fifth day2 which the patients perceiving1 and finding the shocks pretty severe1 they became discouraged1 went home1 and in a short time relapsed2 so that ,i never knew any advantage from electricity in palsies that was permanent4 ,and how far the apparent temporary advantage might arise from the exercise in the patients journey1 and coming daily to my house1 or from the spirits given by the hope of success1 enabling them to exert more strength in moving their limbs1 ,i will not pretend to say4 ,perhaps some permanent advantage might have been obtained1 if the electric shocks had been accompanied with proper medicine and regimen1 under the direction a skilful physician4 ,it may be1 too1 that a few great strokes1 as given in my method1 may not be so proper as many small ones2 since by the account from ,scotland of a case1 in which two hundred shocks from a phial were given daily1 it seems1 that a perfect cure has been made4 ,as to any uncommon strength supposed to be in the machine used in that case1 ,i imagine it could have no share in the effect produced2 since the strength of the shock from charged glass1 is in proportion to the quantity of surface of the glass coated2 so that my shocks from those large jars1 must have been much greater than any that could be received from a phial held in the hand4 ,i am1 with great respect1 ,sir1 ,your most obedient ,servant1 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,electrical ,experiments on ,amber4 ,saturday1 ,july #c1 #agfb4 ,to try1 at the request of a friend1 whether amber finely powdered might be melted and run together again by means of the electric fluid1 ,i took a piece of small glass tube1 about two inches and a half long1 the bore about one-twelfth of an inch diameter1 the glass itself about the same thickness2 ,i introduced into this tube some powder of amber1 and with two pieces of wire nearly fitting the bore1 one inserted at one end1 the other at the other1 ,i rammed the powder hard between them in the middle of the tube1 where it stuck fast1 and was in length about half an inch4 ,then leaving the wires in the tube1 ,i made them part of the electric circuit1 and discharged through them three rows of my case of bottles4 ,the event was1 that the glass was broke into very small pieces and those dispersed with violence in all directions4 ,as ,i did not expect this1 ,i had not1 as in other experiments1 laid thick paper over the glass to save my eyes1 so several of the pieces struck my face smartly1 and one of them cut my lip a little so as to make it bleed4 ,i could find no part of the amber2 but the table where the tube lay was stained very black in spots1 such as might be made by a thick smoke forced on it by a blast1 and the air was filled with a strong smell1 somewhat like that from burnt gunpowder4 ,whence ,i imagined1 that the amber was burnt1 and had exploded as gunpowder would have done in the same circumstances4 ,that ,i might better see the effect on the amber1 ,i made the next experiment in a tube formed of a card rolled up and bound strongly with packthread4 ,its bore was about one-eighth of an inch diameter4 ,i rammed powder of amber into this as ,i had done in the other1 and as the quantity of amber was greater1 ,i increased the quantity of electric fluid1 by discharging through it at once five rows of my bottles4 ,on opening the tube1 ,i found that some of the powder had exploded1 an impression was made on the tube1 though it was not hurt1 and most of the powder remaining was turned black1 which ,i suppose might be by the smoke forced through it from the burned part3 some of it was hard2 but as it powdered again when pressed by the fingers1 ,i suppose that hardness not to arise from melting any parts in it1 but merely from my ramming the powder when ,i charged the tube4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,thomas ,,ronayne1 ,,esq4 ,,at ,,corke#ia4 ,on the ,electricity of the ,fogs in ,ireland4 ,london1 ,april #bj1 #agff4 ,,sir1 ,i have received your very obliging and very ingenious letter by ,captain ,kearney4 ,your observations upon the electricity of fogs and the air in ,ireland1 and upon different circumstances of storms1 appear to me very curious1 and ,i thank you for them4 ,there is not1 in my opinion1 any part of the earth whatever which is1 or can be1 naturally in a state of negative electricity3 and though different circumstances may occasion an inequality in the distribution of the fluid1 the equilibrium is immediately restored by means of its extreme subtilty1 and of the excellent conductors with which the humid earth is amply provided4 ,i am of opinion1 however1 that when a cloud1 well charged positively1 passes near the earth1 it repels and forces down into the earth that natural portion of electricity1 which exists near its surface1 and in buildings1 trees1 c4 so as actually to reduce them to a negative state before it strikes them4 ,i am of opinion too1 that the negative state in which you have frequently found the balls1 which are suspended from your apparatus1 is not always occasioned by clouds in a negative state2 but more commonly by clouds positively electrified1 which have passed over them1 and which in their passage have repelled and driven off a part of the electrical matter1 which naturally existed in the apparatus2 so that what remained after the passing of the clouds1 diffusing itself uniformly through the apparatus1 the whole became reduced to a negative state4 ,if you have read my experiments made in continuation of those of ,mr4 ,canton1 you will readily understand this2 but you may easily make a few experiments1 which will clearly demonstrate it4 ,let a common glass be warmed before the fire that it may continue very dry for some time2 set it upon a table1 and place upon it the small box made use of by ,mr4 ,canton1 so that the balls may hang a little beyond the edge of the table4 ,rub another glass1 which has previously been warmed in a similar manner1 with a piece of black silk or a silk handkerchief1 in order to electrify it4 ,hold then the glass above the little box1 at about the distance of three or four inches from that part1 which is most distant from the balls2 and you will see the balls separate from each other2 being positively electrified by the natural portion of electricity1 which was in the box1 and which is driven to the further part of it by the repulsive power of the atmosphere in the excited glass4 ,touch the box near the little balls 7the excited glass continuing in the same state7 and the balls will again unite2 the quantity of electricity which had been driven to this part being drawn off by your finger4 ,withdraw then both your finger and the glass at the same instant1 and the quantity of electricity which remained in the box1 uniformly diffusing itself1 the balls will again be separated2 being now in a negative state4 ,while things are in this situation1 begin once more to excite your glass1 and hold it above the box1 but not too near1 and you will find1 that when brought within a certain distance1 the balls will at first approach each other1 being then in a natural state4 ,in proportion as the glass is brought nearer1 they1 will again separate1 being positive4 ,when the glass is moved beyond them1 and at some little farther distance1 they will unite again1 being in a natural state4 ,when it is entirely removed1 they will separate again1 being then made negative4 ,the excited glass in this experiment may represent a cloud positively charged1 which you see is capable of producing in this manner all the different changes in the apparatus1 without the least necessity for supposing any negative cloud4 ,i am nevertheless fully convinced1 that these are negative clouds2 because they sometimes absorb1 through the medium of the apparatus1 the positive electricity of a large jar1 the hundredth part of which the apparatus itself would have not been able to receive or contain at once4 ,in fact1 it is not difficult to conceive1 that a large cloud1 highly charged positively1 may reduce smaller clouds to a negative state1 when it passes above or near them1 by forcing a part of their natural portion of the fluid either to their inferior surfaces1 whence it may strike into the earth1 or to the opposite side1 whence it may strike into the adjacent clouds2 so that when the large cloud has passed off to a distance1 the small clouds shall remain in a negative state1 exactly like the apparatus2 the former 7like the latter7 being frequently insulated bodies1 having communication neither with the earth nor with other clouds4 ,upon the same principle it may easily be conceived1 in what manner a large negative cloud may render others positive4 ,the experiment which you mention1 of filing your glass1 is analogous to one which ,i made in #agea1 or #ageb4 ,i had supposed in my preceding letters1 that the pores of glass were smaller in the interior parts than near the surface1 and that on this account they prevented the passage of the electrical fluid4 ,to prove whether this was actually the case or not1 ,i ground one of my phials in a part where it was extremely thin1 grinding it considerably beyond the middle1 and very near to the opposite superficies1 as ,i found1 upon breaking it after the experiment4 ,it was charged nevertheless after being ground1 equally well as before1 which convinced me1 that my hypothesis on this subject was erroneous4 ,it is difficult to conceive where the immense superfluous quantity of electricity on the charged side of a glass is deposited4 ,i send you my paper concerning meteors1 which was lately published here in the ,philosophical ,transactions1 immediately after a paper by ,mr4 ,hamilton on the same subject4 ,i am1 ,sir1 c4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #ia ,this letter is translated from the ,french edition of ,dr4 ,franklin's works1 as are also all that follow1 to the ,appendix1 the one to ,miss ,stephenson excepted4 ,editor4 ,mode of ascertaining1 whether the ,power1 giving a ,shock to those who touch either the ,surinam ,eel1 or the ,torpedo1 be electrical4 #a4 ,touch the fish with a stick of dry sealing-wax1 or a glass rod1 and observe if the shock be communicated by means of those bodies4 ,touch the same fish with an iron1 or other metalline rod4 ,if the shock be communicated by the latter body1 and not by the others1 it is probably not the mechanical effect1 as has been supposed1 of some muscular action in the fish1 but of a subtile fluid1 in this respect analogous at least to the electric fluid4 #b4 ,observe farther1 whether the shock can be conveyed without the metal being actually in contact with the fish1 and if it can1 whether1 in the space between1 any light appear1 and a slight noise or crackling be heard4 ,if so1 these also are properties common to the electric fluid4 #c4 ,lastly1 touch the fish with the wire of a small ,leyden bottle1 and if the shock can be received across1 observe whether the wire will attract and repel light bodies1 and you feel a shock1 while holding the bottle in one hand1 and touching the wire with the other4 ,if so1 the fluid1 capable of producing such effects seems to have all the known properties of the electric fluid4 ,,addition1 #abth ,august1 #aggb1 ,in ,consequence of the ,experiments and ,discoveries made in ,france by ,mr4 ,walsh1 and communicated by him to ,dr4 ,franklin4 ,let several persons1 standing on the floor1 hold hands1 and let one of them touch the fish1 so as to receive a shock4 ,if the shock be felt by all1 place the fish flat on a plate of metal1 and let one of the persons holding hands touch this plate1 while the person farthest from the plate touches the upper part of the fish with a metal rod3 then observe1 if the force of the shock be the same as to all the persons forming the circle1 or is stronger than before4 ,repeat this experiment with this difference3 let two or three of the persons forming the circle1 instead of holding by the hand1 hold each an uncharged electrical bottle1 so that the little balls at the end of the wires may touch1 and observe1 after the shock1 if these wires will attract and repel light bodies1 and if a ball of cork1 suspended by a long silk string between the wires1 a little distance from the bottles1 will be alternately attracted and repelled by them4 ,,to ,m4 ,,dubourg4 ,on the ,analogy between ,magnetism and ,electricity4 ,london1 ,march #aj1 #aggc4 ,,sir1 ,as to the magnetism1 which seems produced by electricity1 my real opinion is1 that these two powers of nature have no affinity with each other1 and that the apparent production of magnetism is purely accidental4 ,the matter may be explained thus3 #ast1 ,the earth is a great magnet4 #b;dly1 ,there is a subtile fluid1 called the magnetic fluid1 which exists in all ferruginous bodies1 equally attracted by all their parts1 and equally diffused through their whole substance2 at least where the equilibrium is not disturbed by a power superior to the attraction of the iron4 #c;dly1 ,this natural quantity of the magnetic fluid1 which is contained in a given piece of iron1 may be put in motion so as to be more rarefied in one part and more condensed in another2 but it cannot be withdrawn by any force that we are yet made acquainted with1 so as to leave the whole in a negative state1 at least relatively to its natural quantity2 neither can it be introduced so as to put the iron into a positive state1 or render it plus4 ,in this respect1 therefore magnetism differs from electricity4 #dthly1 ,a piece of soft iron allows the magnetic fluid which it contains to be put in motion by a moderate force1 so that being placed in a line with the magnetic pole of the earth1 it immediately acquires the properties of a magnet2 its magnetic fluid being drawn or forced from one extremity to the other2 and this effect continues as long as it remains in the same position1 one of its extremities becoming positively magnetised1 and the other negatively4 ,this temporary magnetism ceases as soon as the iron is turned east and west1 the fluid immediately diffusing itself equally through the whole iron1 as in its natural state4 #ethly1 ,the magnetic fluid in hard iron1 or steel1 is put in motion with more difficulty1 requiring a force greater than the earth to excite it2 and when once it has been forced from one extremity of the steel to the other1 it is not easy for it to return2 and thus a bar of steel is converted into a permanent magnet4 #fthly1 ,a great heat1 by expanding the substance of this steel1 and increasing the distance between its particles1 affords a passage to the electric fluid1 which is thus again restored to its proper equilibrium2 the bar appearing no longer to possess magnetic virtue4 #gthly1 ,a bar of steel which is not magnetic1 being placed in the same position1 relatively to the pole of the earth1 which the magnetic needle assumes1 and in this position being heated and suddenly cooled1 becomes a permanent magnet4 ,the reason is1 that while the bar was hot1 the magnetic fluid which it naturally contained was easily forced from one extremity to the other by the magnetic virtue of the earth2 and that the hardness and condensation1 produced by the sudden cooling of the bar1 retained it in this state without permitting it to resume its original situation4 #hthly1 ,the violent vibrations of the particles of a steel bar1 when forcibly struck in the same position1 separate the particles in such a manner during their vibration1 that they permit a portion of the magnetic fluid to pass1 influenced by the natural magnetism of the earth2 and it is afterwards so forcibly retained by the re-approach of the particles when the vibration ceases1 that the bar becomes a permanent magnet4 #ithly1 ,an electric shock passing through a needle in a like position1 and dilating it for an instant1 renders it1 for the same reason1 a permanent magnet2 that is1 not by imparting magnetism to it1 but by allowing its proper magnetic fluid to put itself in motion4 #ajthly1 ,thus1 there is not in reality more magnetism in a given piece of steel after it is become magnetic1 than existed in it before4 ,the natural quantity is only displaced or repelled4 ,hence it follows1 that a strong apparatus of magnets may charge millions of bars of steel1 without communicating to them any part of its proper magnetism2 only putting in motion the magnetism which already existed in these bars4 ,i am chiefly indebted to that excellent philosopher of ,petersburgh1 ,mr4 pinus1 for this hypothesis1 which appears to me equally ingenious and solid4 ,i say1 chiefly1 because1 as it is many years since ,i read his book1 which ,i have left in ,america1 it may happen1 that ,i may have added to or altered it in some respect2 and if ,i have misrepresented any thing1 the error ought to be charged to my account4 ,if this hypothesis appears admissible1 it will serve as an answer to the greater part of your questions4 ,i have only one remark to add1 which is1 that however great the force is of magnetism employed1 you can only convert a given portion of steel into a magnet of a force proportioned to its capacity of retaining its magnetic fluid in the new position in which it is placed1 without letting it return4 ,now this power is different in different kinds of steel1 but limited in all kinds whatever4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,messrs4 ,,dubourg ,,and ,d',,alibard#ib4 ,concerning the ,mode of rendering ,meat tender by ,electricity4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friends1 ,my answer to your questions concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity1 can only be founded upon conjecture2 for ,i have not experiments enough to warrant the facts4 ,all that ,i can say at present is1 that ,i think electricity might be employed for this purpose1 and ,i shall state what follows as the observations or reasons1 which make me presume so4 ,it has been observed1 that lightning1 by rarefying and reducing into vapour the moisture contained in solid wood1 in an oak1 for instance1 has forcibly separated its fibres1 and broken it into small splinters2 that by penetrating intimately the hardest metals1 as iron1 it has separated the parts in an instant1 so as to convert a perfect solid into a state of fluidity3 it is not then improbable1 that the same subtile matter1 passing through the bodies of animals with rapidity1 should possess sufficient force to produce an effect nearly similar4 ,the flesh of animals1 fresh killed in the usual manner1 is firm1 hard1 and not in a very eatable state1 because the particles adhere too forcibly to each other4 ,at a certain period1 the cohesion is weakened and in its progress towards putrefaction1 which tends to produce a total separation1 the flesh becomes what we call tender1 or is in that state most proper to be used as our food4 ,it has frequently been remarked1 that animals killed by lightning putrify immediately4 ,this cannot be invariably the case1 since a quantity of lightning sufficient to kill1 may not be sufficient to tear and divide the fibres and particles of flesh1 and reduce them to that tender state1 which is the prelude to putrefaction4 ,hence it is1 that some animals killed in this manner will keep longer than others4 ,but the putrefaction sometimes proceeds with surprising celerity4 ,a respectable person assured me1 that he once knew a remarkable instance of this3 ,a whole flock of sheep in ,scotland1 being closely assembled under a tree1 were killed by a flash of lightning2 and it being rather late in the evening1 the proprietor1 desirous of saving something1 sent persons early the next morning to flay them2 but the putrefaction was such1 and the stench so abominable1 that they had not the courage to execute their orders1 and the bodies were accordingly buried in their skins4 ,it is not unreasonable to presume1 that between the period of their death and that of their putrefaction1 a time intervened in which the flesh might be only tender1 and only sufficiently so to be served at table4 ,add to this1 that persons1 who have eaten of fowls killed by our feeble imitation of lightning 7electricity7 and dressed immediately1 have asserted1 that the flesh was remarkably tender4 ,the little utility of this practice has perhaps prevented its being much adopted4 ,for though it sometimes happens1 that a company unexpectedly arriving at a country-house1 or an unusual conflux of travellers to an inn1 may render it necessary1 to kill a number of animals for immediate use2 yet as travellers have commonly a good appetite1 little attention has been paid to the trifling inconvenience of having their meat a little tough4 ,as this kind of death is nevertheless more sudden1 and consequently less severe1 than any other1 if this should operate as a motive with compassionate persons to employ it for animals sacrificed for their use1 they may conduct the process thus3 ,having prepared a battery of six large glass jars 7each from #bj to #bd pints7 as for the ,leyden experiment1 and having established a communication1 as usual1 from the interior surface of each with the prime conductor1 and having given them a full charge 7which with a good machine may be executed in a few minutes1 and may be estimated by an electrometer7 a chain which communicates with the exterior of the jars must be wrapped round the thighs of the fowl2 after which the operator1 holding it by the wings1 turned back and made to touch behind1 must raise it so high that the head may receive the first shock from the prime conductor4 ,the animal dies instantly4 ,let the head be immediately cut off to make it bleed1 when it may be plucked and dressed immediately4 ,this quantity of electricity is supposed sufficient for a turkey of ten pounds weight1 and perhaps for a lamb4 ,experience alone will inform us of the requisite proportions for animals of different forms and ages4 ,probably not less will be required to render a small bird1 which is very old1 tender1 than for a larger one1 which is young4 ,it is easy to furnish the requisite quantity of electricity1 by employing a greater or less number of jars4 ,as six jars1 however1 discharged at once1 are capable of giving a very violent shock1 the operator must be very circumspect1 lest he should happen to make the experiment on his own flesh1 instead of that of the fowl4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,footnote3 #ib ,this letter has no date1 but the one to which it is an answer is dated ,may #a1 #aggc4 ,editor4 ,,to ,m4 ,,dubourg4 ,in ,answer to some ,queries concerning the ,choice of ,glass for the ,leyden ,experiment4 ,london1 ,june #a1 #aggc4 ,,sir1 ,i wish1 with you1 that some chemist 7who should1 if possible1 be at the same time an electrician7 would1 in pursuance of the excellent hints contained in your letter1 undertake to work upon glass with the view you have recommended4 ,by means of a perfect knowledge of this substance1 with respect to its electrical qualities1 we might proceed with more certainty1 as well in making our own experiments1 as in repeating those1 which have been made by others in different countries1 which ,i believe have frequently been attended with different success on account of differences in the glass employed1 thence occasioning frequent misunderstandings and contrariety of opinions4 ,there is another circumstance much to be desired with respect to glass1 and that is1 that it should not be subject to break when highly charged in the ,leyden experiment4 ,i have known eight jars broken out of twenty1 and at another time1 twelve out of thirty-five4 ,a similar loss would greatly discourage electricians desirous of accumulating a great power for certain experiments4--,we have never been able hitherto to account for the cause of such misfortunes4 ,the first idea which occurs is1 that the positive electricity1 being accumulated on one side of the glass1 rushes violently through it1 in order to supply the deficiency on the other side and to restore the equilibrium4 ,this however ,i cannot conceive to be the true reason1 when ,i consider1 that a great number of jars being united1 so as to be charged and discharged at the same time1 the breaking of a single jar will discharge the whole2 for1 if the accident proceeded from the weakness of the glass1 it is not probable1 that eight of them should be precisely of the same degree of weakness1 as to break every one at the same instant1 it being more likely1 that the weakest should break first1 and1 by breaking1 secure the rest2 and again1 when it is necessary to produce a certain effect1 by means of the whole charge passing through a determined circle 7as1 for instance1 to melt a small wire7 if the charge1 instead of passing in this circle1 rushed through the sides of the jars1 the intended effect would not be produced2 which1 however1 is contrary to fact4 ,for these reasons1 ,i suspect1 that there is1 in the substance of the glass1 either some little globules of air1 or some portions of unvitrified sand or salt1 into which a quantity of the electric fluid may be forced during the charge1 and there retained till the general discharge3 and that the force being suddenly withdrawn1 the elasticity of the fluid acts upon the glass in which it is inclosed1 not being able to escape hastily without breaking the glass4 ,i offer this only as a conjecture1 which ,i leave to others to examine4 ,the globe which ,i had that could not be excited1 though it was from the same glass-house which furnished the other excellent globes in my possession1 was not of the same frit4 ,the glass which was usually manufactured there1 was rather of the green kind1 and chiefly intended for drinking-glasses and bottles2 but the proprietors being desirous of attempting a trial of white glass1 the globe in question was of this frit4 ,the glass not being of a perfect white1 the proprietors were dissatisfied with it1 and abandoned their project4 ,i suspected that too great a quantity of salt was admitted into the composition2 but ,i am no judge of these matters4 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,to ,,miss ,,stephenson4 ,concerning the ,leyden ,bottle4 ,london1 ,march #bb1 #agfb4 ,i must retract the charge of idleness in your studies1 when ,i find you have gone through the doubly difficult task of reading so big a book1 on an abstruse subject1 and in a foreign language4 ,in answer to your question concerning the ,leyden phial4--,the hand that holds the bottle receives and conducts away the electric fluid that is driven out of the outside by the repulsive power of that which is forced into the inside of the bottle4 ,as long as that power remains in the same situation1 it must prevent the return of what it had expelled2 though the hand would readily supply the quantity if it could be received4 ,your affectionate friend1 ,b4 ,,franklin4 ,,appendix4 ,no4 #aic4 ,the early ,,letters of ,dr4 ,franklin on ,electricity having been translated into ,french1 and printed at ,paris2 the ,abb ,mazeas1 in a ,letter to ,dr4 ,stephen ,hales1 dated ,st4 ,germain1 ,may #bj1 #ageb1 gives the following ,account 7printed in the ,philosophical ,transactions7 of the ,experiment made at ,marly1 in ,pursuance of that proposed by ,mr4 ,franklin1 ,pages #bbg1 #bbh4 ,,sir1 ,the ,philadelphian experiments1 that ,mr4 ,collinson1 a member of the ,royal ,society1 was so kind as to communicate to the public1 having been universally admired in ,france1 the king desired to see them performed4 ,wherefore the ,duke ,d',ayen offered his majesty his country-house at ,st4 ,germain1 where ,m4 de ,lor1 master of experimental philosophy1 should put those of ,philadelphia in execution4 ,his majesty saw them with great satisfaction1 and greatly applauded ,messieurs ,franklin and ,collinson4 ,these applauses of his majesty having excited in ,messieurs de ,buffon1 ,d',alibard1 and de ,lor1 a desire of verifying the conjectures of ,mr4 ,franklin1 upon the analogy of thunder and electricity1 they prepared themselves for making the experiment4 ,m4 ,d',alibard chose for this purpose1 a garden situated at ,marly1 where he placed upon an electrical body a pointed bar of iron1 of forty feet high4 ,on the #ajth of ,may1 twenty minutes past two in the afternoon1 a stormy cloud having passed over the place where the bar stood1 those that were appointed to observe it1 drew near1 and attracted from it sparks of fire1 perceiving the same kind of commotions as in the common electrical experiments4 ,m4 de ,lor1 sensible of the good success of this experiment1 resolved to repeat it at his house in the ,estrapade1 at ,paris4 ,he raised a bar of iron ninety-nine feet high1 placed upon a cake of resin1 two feet square1 and three inches thick4 ,on the #ahth of ,may1 between four and five in the afternoon1 a stormy cloud having passed over the bar1 where it remained half an hour1 he drew sparks from the bar1 like those from the gun barrel1 when1 in the electrical experiments1 the globe is only rubbed by the cushion1 and they produced the same noise1 the same fire1 and the same crackling4 ,they drew the strongest sparks at the distance of nine lines1 while the rain1 mingled with a little hail1 fell from the cloud1 without either thunder or lightning2 this cloud being1 according to all appearance1 only the consequence of a storm1 which happened elsewhere4 ,i am1 with a profound respect1 ,your most humble and obedient servant1 ,g4 ,,mazeas4 ,,footnote3 #ic ,see the paragraph between brackets1 page #bfg4 ,a more particular ,account of the ,circumstances and ,success of this extraordinary ,experiment was laid before the ,royal ,academy of ,sciences at ,paris1 three ,days afterwards1 in a ,memorial by ,m4 ,d',alibard1 viz4 ,,extrait ,d',,un ,,memoire ,,de ,m4 ,d',,alibard1 ,l l',acadmie ,royale des ,sciences1 le #ac ,mai1 #ageb4 ,en suivant la route que ,m4 ,franklin nous a trace1 j'ai obtenu une satisfaction complette4 ,voici les prparatifs1 le procd le succs4 #a4 ,j'ai fait faire ,marly-la-ville1 situe six lieues de ,paris au milieu d'une belle plaine dont le sol est fort lev1 une verge de fer ronde1 d'environ un pouce de diametre1 longue de #dj pieds1 fort pointue par son extrmit suprieure2 pour lui mnager une pointe plus fine1 je l'ai fait armer d'acier tremp ensuite brunir1 au dfaut de dorure1 pour la prserver de la rouille2 outre cela1 cette verge de fer est courbe vers son extrmit infrieure en deux coudes angles aigus quoiqu'arrondis2 le premier coude est loign de deux pieds du bout infrieur1 le second est en sens contraire trois pieds du premier4 #b4 ,j'ai fait planter dans un jardin trois grosses perches de #bh #bi pieds1 disposes en triangle1 loignes les unes des autres d'environ huit pieds2 deux de ces perches sont contre un mur1 la troisieme est au-dedans du jardin4 ,pour les affermir toutes ensemble1 l'on clou sur chacune des entretoises vingt pieds de hauteur2 comme le grand vent agitoit encore cette espce d'difice1 l'on a attach au haut de chaque perche de longs cordages1 qui tenant lieu d'aubans1 rpondent par le bas de bons piquets fortement enfoncs en terre plus de #bj pieds des perches4 #c4 ,j'ai fait construire entres les deux perches voisines du mur1 adosser contre ce mur une petite guerite de bois capable de contenir un homme une table4 #d4 ,j'ai fait placer au milieu de la gurite une petite table d'environ un demi-pied de hauteur2 sur cette table j'ai fait dresser affermir un tabouret electrique4 ,ce tabouret n'est autre chose qu'une petite planche quarre1 porte sur trois bouteilles vin2 il n'est fait de cette matiere que pour suppler au defaut d'un gteau de rsine qui me manquoit4 #e4 ,tout tant ainsi prpar1 j'ai fait elever perpendiculairement la verge de fer au milieu des trois perches1 je l'ai affermie en l'attachant chacune des perches avec de forts cordons de soie par deux endroits seulement4 ,les premiers liens sont au haut des perches1 environ trois pouces au-dessous de leurs extrmits suprieures2 les seconds vers la moiti de leur hauteur4 ,le bout infrieur de la verge de fer est solidement appuy sur le milieu du tabouret electrique1 o j'ai fait creuser un trou propre le recevoir4 #f4 ,comme il toit important de garantir de la pluie te tabouret les cordons de soie1 parce qu'ils laisseroient passer la matire lectrique s'ils etoient mouills1 j'ai pris les prcautions necessaires pour en empcher4 ,c'est dans cette vue que j'ai mis mon tabouret sous la gurite1 que j'avois fait courber ma verge de fer angles aigus2 afin que l'eau qui pourroit couler le long de cette verge1 ne pt arriver jusques sur le tabouret4 ,c'est aussi dans le mme dessein que j'ai fait clouer sur le haut au milieu de mes perches1 trois pouces au-dessus des cordons de soie1 des especes de botes formes de trois petites planches d'environ #ae pouces de long1 qui couvrent par-dessus par les ctes une pareille longueur des cordons de soie1 sans leur toucher4 ,il s'agissoit de faire1 dans le tems de l'orage1 deux observations sur cette verge de fer ainsi dispose2 l'une toit de remarquer sa pointe une aigrette lumineuse1 semblable celle que l'on apperoit la pointe d'une aiguille1 quand on l'oppose assez prs d'un corps actuellement lectris2 l'autre toit de tirer de la verge de fer des tincelles1 comme on en tire du canon de fusil dans les expriences lectriques2 afin de se garantir des piqres de ces tincelles1 j'avois attach le tenon d'un fil d'archal au cordon d'une longue fiole pour lui servir de manche4444 ,le ,mercredi #aj ,mai #ageb1 entre deux trois heures aprs midi1 le nomm ,coiffier1 ancien dragon1 que j'avois charg de faire les observations en mon absence1 ayant entendu un coup de tonnerre assez fort1 vole aussitt la machine1 prend la fiole avec le fil d'archal1 prsente le tenon du fil la verge1 en voit sortir une petite tincelle brillante1 en entend le ptillement2 il tire une seconde tincelle plus fort que la premiere avec plus de bruit6 il appelle ses voisins1 envoie chercher ,m4 le ,prieur4 ,celui-ci accourt de toutes ses forces2 les paroissiens voyant la prcipitation de leur cur1 s'imaginent que le pauvre ,coiffier a t tu du tonnerre2 l'allarme se rpand dans le village3 la grle qui survient n'empche point le troupeau du suivre son pasteur4 ,cet honnte ecclsiastique arrive prs de la machine1 voyant qu'il n'y avoit point de danger1 met lui-mme la main l'oeuvre tire de fortes tincelles4 ,la nue d'orage de grle ne fut pas plus d'un quart-d'heure passer au znith de notre machine1 l'on n'entendit que ce seul coup de tonnerre4 ,sitt que le nuage fut pass1 qu'on ne tira plus d'tincelles de la verge de fer1 ,m4 le ,prieur de ,marly fit partir le sieur ,coiffier lui-mme1 pour m'apporter la lettre suivante1 qu'il m'ecrivit la hte4 ,je vous annonce1 ,monsieur1 ce que veus attendez3 l'exprience est complette4 ,aujourd'hui deux heures #bj minutes aprs midi1 le tonnerre a grond directement sur ,marly2 le coup a t assez fort4 ,l'envie de vous obliger1 la curiosit m'ont tir de mon fauteil1 o j'tois occup lire3 je suis all chez ,coiffier1 qui dja m'avoit dpch un enfant que j'ai rencontr en chemin1 pour me prier de veenir2 j'ai doubl le pas travers un torrent de grle4 ,arriv l'endroit o est place la tringle coude1 j'ai prsent le fil d'archal1 en evanant successivement vers la tringle1 un pouce demi1 ou environ2 il est sorti de la tringle une petite colonne de fer bleutre sentant le soufre1 qui venoit frapper avec une extrme vivacit le tenon du fil d'archal1 occasionnoit un bruit semblable celui qu'on feroit en frappant sur la tringle avec une clef4 ,j'ai rpet l'exprience au moins six fois dans l'espace d'environ quatre minutes1 en prsence de plusieurs personnes1 chaque exprience que j'ai faite a dur l'espace d'un pater d'un ave4 ,j'ai voulu continuer2 l'action du feu s'est ralentie peu peu2 j'ai approch plus prs1 n'ai plus tir que quelques tincelles1 enfin rien n'ai paru4 ,le coup de tonnerre qui a occasionn cet vnement1 n'a t suivi d'aucun autre2 tout s'est termin par une abondance de grle4 ,j'tois si occup dans le moment de l'exprience de ce que voyois1 qu'ayant t frapp au bras un peu au-dessus du coude1 je ne puis dire si c'est en touchant au fil d'archal ou la tringle3 je ne me suis pas plaint du mal que m'avoit fait le coup dans le moment que je l'ai reu2 mais comme la douleur continuoit1 de retour chez moi1 j'ai dcouvert mon bras en prsence de ,coiffier1 nous avons apperu une meurtrissure tournante autour du brass1 semblable celle que feroit un coup de fil d'archal1 si j'en avois t frapp nud4 ,en revenant de chez ,coiffier1 j'ai recontr ,m4 le ,vicaire1 ,m4 de ,milly1 et le ,matre d'cole1 qui j'ai rapport ce qui venoit d'arriver2 ils se sont plaints tous les trois qu'ils sentoient une odeur de soufre qui les frappait davantage mesure qu'ils s'approichient de moi3 j'ai port chez moi la mme odeur1 mes domestiques s'en sont apperus sans que je leur aye rien dit4 ,voil1 ,monsieur1 un rcit fait la hte1 mais naif vrai que j'atteste1 vous pouvez assurer que je suis prt rendre tmoignage de cet vnement dans toutes les occasions4 ,coiffier a t le premier qui a fait l'exprience l'a rpte1 plusieurs fois2 ce n'est qu' l'occasion de ce qu'il a vu qu'il m'a envoy prier de venir4 ,s'il toit besoin d'autres tmoins que de lui de moi1 vous les trouveriez4 ,coiffier presse pour partir4 ,je suis avec une respectueuse considration1 ,monsieur1 votre1 c4 sign ,,raulet1 ,prieur de ,marly4 #aj ,mai1 #ageb4 ,on voit1 par le dtail de cette lettre1 que le fait est assez bien constat pour ne laisser aucun doute ce sujet4 ,le porteur m'a assur de vive voix qu'il avoit tir pendant prs d'un quart-d'heure avant que ,m4 le ,prieur arrivt1 en prsence de cinq ou six personnes1 des tincelles plus fortes plus bruyantes que celles dont il est parl dans la lettre4 ,ces premieres personnes arrivant successivement1 n'osient approcher qu' #aj ou #ab pas de la machine2 cette distance1 malgr le plein soleil1 ils voyoient les tincelles entendoient le bruit4444 ,il rsulte de toutes les expriences observations que j'ai rapportes dans ce mmoire1 surtout de la dernire exprience faite ,marly-la-ville1 que la matiere du tonnerre est incontestablement la mme que celle de l'lectricit4 ,l'ide qu'en a eu ,m4 ,franklin cesse d'tre une conjecture3 la voil devenue une ralit1 j'ose croire que plus on approfondira tout ce qu'il a publi sur l'lectricit1 plus on reconnotra combien la physique lui est redevable pour cette partie4 ,letter of ,mr4 ,w4 ,watson1 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 to the ,royal ,society1 concerning the electrical ,experiments in ,england upon ,thunder-,clouds4 ,read ,dec4 #ageb4 ,trans4 ,vol4 ,,xlvii4 ,,gentlemen1 ,after the communications1 which we have received from several of our correspondents in different parts of the continent1 acquainting us with the success of their experiments last summer1 in endeavouring to extract the electricity from the atmosphere during a thunder-storm1 in consequence of ,mr4 ,franklin's hypothesis1 it may be thought extraordinary1 that no accounts have been yet laid before you1 of our success here from the same experiments4 ,that no want of attention1 therefore1 may be attributed to those here1 who have been hitherto conversant in these enquiries1 ,i thought proper to apprise you1 that1 though several members of the ,royal ,society1 as well as myself1 did1 upon the first advices from ,france1 prepare and set up the necessary apparatus for this purpose1 we were defeated in our expectations1 from the uncommon coolness and dampness of the air here1 during the whole summer4 ,we had only at ,london one thunder-storm2 viz4 on ,july #bj2 and then the thunder was accompanied with rain2 so that1 by wetting the apparatus1 the electricity was dissipated too soon to be perceived upon touching those parts of the apparatus1 which served to conduct it4 ,this1 ,i say1 in general prevented our verifying ,mr4 ,franklin's hypothesis3 but our worthy brother1 ,mr4 ,canton1 was more fortunate4 ,i take the liberty1 therefore1 of laying before you an extract of a letter1 which ,i received from that gentleman1 dated from ,spital-square1 ,july #ba1 #ageb4 ,i had yesterday1 about five in the afternoon1 an opportunity of trying ,mr4 ,franklin's experiment of extracting the electrical fire from the clouds2 and succeeded1 by means of a tin tube1 between three and four feet in length1 fixed to the top of a glass one1 of about eighteen inches4 ,to the upper end of the tin tube1 which was not so high as a stack of chimnies on the same house1 ,i fastened three needles with some wire2 and to the lower end was soldered a tin cover to keep the rain from the glass tube1 which was set upright in a block of wood4 ,i attended this apparatus as soon after the thunder began as possible1 but did not find it in the least electrified1 till between the third and fourth clap2 when1 applying my knuckle to the edge of the cover1 ,i felt and heard an electrical spark2 and approaching it a second time1 ,i received the spark at the distance of about half an inch1 and saw it distinctly4 ,this ,i repeated four or five times in the space of a minute1 but the sparks grew weaker and weaker2 and in less than two minutes the tin tube did not appear to be electrified at all4 ,the rain continued during the thunder1 but was considerably abated at the time of making the experiment4 ,thus far ,mr4 ,canton4 ,mr4 ,wilson likewise of the ,society1 to whom we are much obliged for the trouble he has taken in these pursuits1 had an opportunity of verifying ,mr4 ,franklin's hypothesis4 ,he informed me1 by a letter from near ,chelmsford1 in ,essex1 dated ,august #ab1 #ageb1 that1 on that day about noon1 he perceived several electrical snaps1 during1 or rather at the end of a thunder-storm1 from no other apparatus than an iron curtain rod1 one end of which he put into the neck of a glass phial1 and held this phial in his hand4 ,to the other end of the iron he fastened three needles with some silk4 ,this phial1 supporting the rod1 he held in one hand1 and drew snaps from the rod with a finger of his other4 ,this experiment was not made upon any eminence1 but in the garden of a gentleman1 at whose house he then was4 ,dr4 ,bevis observed1 at ,mr4 ,cave's1 at ,st4 ,john's ,gate1 nearly the same phenomena as ,mr4 ,canton1 of which an account has been already laid before the public4 ,trifling as the effects here mentioned are1 when compared with those which we have received from ,paris and ,berlin1 they are the only ones1 that the last summer here has produced2 and as they were made by persons worthy of credit1 they tend to establish the authenticity of those transmitted from our correspondents4 ,i flatter myself1 that this short account of these matters will not be disagreeable to you2 and am1 ,with the most profound respect1 ,your most obedient1 humble servant1 ,w4 ,,watson4 ,no4 #b4 ,remarks on the ,abb ,nollet's ,letters to ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,esq4 of ,philadelphia1 on ,electricity3 by ,mr4 ,david ,colden1 of ,new ,york4 ,coldenham1 in ,new ,york1 ,dec4 #d1 #agec4 ,,sir1 ,in considering the ,abb ,nollet's ,letters to ,mr4 ,franklin1 ,i am obliged to pass by all the experiments which are made with1 or in1 bottles hermetically sealed1 or exhausted of air2 because1 not being able to repeat the experiments1 ,i could not second any thing which occurs to me thereon1 by experimental proof4 ,wherefore1 the first point wherein ,i can dare to give my opinion1 is in the ,abb's #dth letter1 p4 #ff1 where he undertakes to prove1 that the electric matter passes from one surface to another through the entire thickness of the glass3 he takes ,mr4 ,franklin's experiment of the magical picture1 and writes thus of it4 ,when you electrise a pane of glass coated on both sides with metal1 it is evident that whatever is placed on the side opposite to that which receives the electricity from the conductor1 receives also an evident electrical virtue4 ,which ,mr4 ,franklin says1 is that equal quantity of electric matter1 driven out of this side1 by what is received from the conductor on the other side2 and which will continue to give an electrical virtue to any thing in contact with it1 till it is entirely discharged of its electrical fire4 ,to which the ,abb thus objects2 ,tell me 7says he71 ,i pray you1 how much time is necessary for this pretended discharge8 ,i can assure you1 that after having maintained the electrisation for hours1 this surface1 which ought1 as it seems to me1 to be entirely discharged of its electrical matter1 considering either the vast number of sparks that were drawn from it1 or the time that this matter had been exposed to the action of the expulsive cause2 this surface1 ,i say1 appeared rather better electrised thereby1 and more proper to produce all the effects of an actual electric body4 ,p4 #fh4 ,the ,abb does not tell us what those effects were1 all the effects ,i could never observe1 and those that are to be observed can easily be accounted for1 by supposing that side to be entirely destitute of electric matter4 ,the most sensible effect of a body charged with electricity is1 that when you present your finger to it1 a spark will issue from it to your finger3 now when a phial1 prepared for the ,leyden experiment1 is hung to the gun-barrel or prime-conductor1 and you turn the globe in order to charge it2 as soon as the electric matter is excited1 you can observe a spark to issue from the external surface of the phial to your finger1 which1 ,mr4 ,franklin says1 is the natural electric matter of the glass driven out by that received by the inner surface from the conductor4 ,if it be only drawn out by sparks1 a vast number of them may be drawn2 but if you take hold of the external surface with your hand1 the phial will soon receive all the electric matter it is capable of1 and the outside will then be entirely destitute of its electric matter1 and no spark can be drawn from it by the finger3 here then is a want of that effect which all bodies1 charged with electricity1 have4 ,some of the effects of an electric body1 which ,i suppose the ,abb has observed in the exterior surface of a charged phial1 are that all light bodies are attracted by it4 ,this is an effect which ,i have constantly observed1 but do not think that it proceeds from an attractive quality in the exterior surface of the phial1 but in those light bodies themselves1 which seem to be attracted by the phial4 ,it is a constant observation1 that when one body has a greater charge of electric matter in it than another 7that is in proportion to the quantity they will hold7 this body will attract that which has less3 now1 ,i suppose1 and it is a part of ,mr4 ,franklin's system1 that all those light bodies which appear to be attracted1 have more electric matter in them than the external surface of the phial has1 wherefore they endeavour to attract the phial to them1 which is too heavy to be moved by the small degree of force they exert1 and yet being greater than their own weight1 moves them to the phial4 ,the following experiment will help the imagination in conceiving this4 ,suspend a cork ball1 or a feather1 by a silk thread1 and electrise it2 then bring this ball nigh to any fixed body1 and it will appear to be attracted by that body1 for it will fly to it3 now1 by the consent of electricians1 the attractive cause is in the ball itself1 and not in the fixed body to which it flies3 this is a similar case with the apparent attraction of light bodies1 to the external surface of a charged phial4 ,the ,abb says1 p4 #fi1 that he can electrise a hundred men1 standing on wax1 if they hold hands1 and if one of them touch one of these surfaces 7the exterior7 with the end of his finger3 this ,i know he can1 while the phial is charging1 but after the phial is charged ,i am as certain he cannot3 that is1 hang a phial1 prepared for the ,leyden experiment1 to the conductor1 and let a man1 standing on the floor1 touch the coating with his finger1 while the globe is turned1 till the electric matter spews out of the hook of the phial1 or some part of the conductor1 which ,i take to be the certainest sign that the phial has received all the electric matter it can3 after this appears1 let the man1 who before stood on the floor1 step on a cake of wax1 where he may stand for hours1 and the globe all that time turned2 and yet have no appearance of being electrised4 ,after the electric matter was spewed out as above from the hook of the phial prepared for the ,leyden experiment1 ,i hung another phial1 in like manner prepared1 to a hook fixed in the coating of the first1 and held this other phial in my hand2 now if there was any electric matter transmitted through the glass of the first phial1 the second one would certainly receive and collect it2 but having kept the phials in this situation for a considerable time1 during which the globe was continually turned1 ,i could not perceive that the second phial was in the least charged1 for when ,i touched the hook with my finger1 as in the ,leyden experiment1 ,i did not feel the least commotion1 nor perceive any spark to issue from the hook4 ,i likewise made the following experiment3 having charged two phials 7prepared for the ,leyden experiment7 through their hooks2 two persons took each one of these phials in their hand2 one held his phial by the coating1 the other by the hook1 which he could do by removing the communication from the bottom before he took hold of the hook4 ,these persons placed themselves one on each side of me1 while ,i stood on a cake of wax1 and took hold of the hook of that phial which was held by its coating 7upon which a spark issued1 but the phial was not discharged1 as ,i stood on wax7 keeping hold of the hook1 ,i touched the coating of the phial that was held by its hook with my other hand1 upon which there was a large spark to be seen between my finger and the coating1 and both phials were instantly discharged4 ,if the ,abb's opinion be right1 that the exterior surface1 communicating with the coating1 is charged1 as well as the interior1 communicating with the hook2 how can ,i1 who stand on wax1 discharge both these phials1 when it is well known ,i could not discharge one of them singly8 ,nay1 suppose ,i have drawn the electric matter from both of them1 what becomes of it8 ,for ,i appear to have no additional quantity in me when the experiment is over1 and ,i have not stirred off the wax3 wherefore this experiment fully convinces me1 that the exterior surface is not charged2 and not only so1 but that it wants as much electric matter as the inner has of excess3 for by this supposition1 which is a part of ,mr4 ,franklin's system1 the above experiment is easily accounted for1 as follows3 ,when ,i stand on wax1 my body is not capable of receiving all the electric matter from the hook of one phial1 which it is ready to give2 neither can it give as much to the coating of the other phial as it is ready to take1 when one is only applied to me3 but when both are applied1 the coating takes from me what the hook gives3 thus ,i receive the fire from the first phial at ,b1 the exterior surface of which is supplied from the hand at ,a3 ,i give the fire to the second phial at ,c1 whose interior surface is discharged by the hand at ,d4 ,this discharge at ,d may be made evident by receiving that fire into the hook of a third phial1 which is done thus3 ,in place of taking the hook of the second phial in your hand1 run the wire of a third phial1 prepared as for the ,leyden experiment1 through it1 and hold this third phial in your hand1 the second one hanging to it1 by the ends of the hooks run through each other3 when the experiment is performed1 this third phial receives the fire at ,d1 and will be charged4 ,illustration3 7of the experiment above7 ,when this experiment is considered1 ,i think1 it must fully prove that the exterior surface of a charged phial wants electric matter1 while the inner surface has an excess of it4 ,one thing more worthy of notice in this experiment is1 that ,i feel no commotion or shock in my arms1 though so great a quantity of electric matter passes them instantaneously3 ,i only feel a pricking in the ends of my fingers4 ,this makes me think the ,abb has mistook1 when he says1 that there is no difference between the shock felt in performing the ,leyden experiment1 and the pricking felt on drawing simple sparks1 except that of greater to less4 ,in the last experiment1 as much electric matter went through my arms1 as would have given me a very sensible shock1 had there been an immediate communication1 by my arms1 from the hook to the coating of the same phial2 because when it was taken into a third phial1 and that phial discharged singly through my arms1 it gave me a sensible shock4 ,if these experiments prove that the electric matter does not pass through the entire thickness of the glass1 it is a necessary consequence that it must always come out where it entered4 ,the next thing ,i meet with is in the ,abb's fifth letter1 p4 #hh1 where he differs from ,mr4 ,franklin1 who thinks that the whole power of giving a shock is in the glass itself1 and not in the non-electrics in contact with it4 ,the experiments which ,mr4 ,franklin gave to prove this opinion1 in his ,observations on the ,leyden ,bottle1 p4 #agi1 convinced me that he was in the right2 and what the ,abb has asserted1 in contradiction thereto1 has not made me think otherwise4 ,the ,abb1 perceiving1 as ,i suppose1 that the experiments1 as ,mr4 ,franklin had performed them1 must prove his assertion1 alters them without giving any reason for it1 and makes them in a manner that proves nothing4 ,why will he have the phial1 into which the1 water is to be decanted from a charged phial1 held in a man's hand8 ,if the power of giving a shock is in the water contained in the phial1 it should remain there though decanted into another phial1 since no non-electric body touched it to take that power off4 ,the phial being placed on wax is no objection1 for it cannot take the power from the water1 if it had any1 but it is a necessary means to try the fact2 whereas1 that phial's being charged when held in a man's hand1 only proves that water will conduct the electric matter4 ,the ,abb owns1 p4 #id1 that he had heard this remarked1 but says1 ,why is not a conductor of electricity an electric subject8 ,this is not the question2 ,mr4 ,franklin never said that water was not an electric subject2 he said1 that the power of giving a shock was in the glass1 and not in the water2 and this1 his experiments fully prove2 so fully1 that it may appear impertinent to offer any more3 yet as ,i do not know that the following has been taken notice of by any body before1 my inserting of it in this place may be excused4 ,it is this3 ,hang a phial1 prepared for the ,leyden experiment1 to the conductor1 by its hook1 and charge it1 which done1 remove the communication from the bottom of the phial4 ,now the conductor shews evident signs of being electrised2 for if a thread be tied round it1 and its ends left about two inches long1 they will extend themselves out like a pair of horns2 but if you touch the conductor1 a spark will issue from it1 and the threads will fall1 nor does the conductor shew the least sign of being electrised after this is done4 ,i think that by this touch1 ,i have taken out all the charge of electric matter that was in the conductor1 the hook of the phial1 and water or filings of iron contained in it2 which is no more than we see all non-electric bodies will receive3 yet the glass of the phial retains its power of giving a shock1 as any one will find that pleases to try4 ,this experiment fully evidences1 that the water in the phial contains no more electric matter than it would do in an open bason1 and has not any of that great quantity which produces the shock1 and is only retained by the glass4 ,if after the spark is drawn from the conductor1 you touch the coating of the phial 7which all this while is supposed to hang in the air1 free from any non-electric body7 the threads on the conductor will instantly start up1 and shew that the conductor is electrised4 ,it receives this electrisation from the inner surface of the phial1 which1 when the outer surface can receive what it wants from the hand applied to it1 will give as much as the bodies in contact with it can receive1 or if they be large enough1 all that it has of excess4 ,it is diverting to see how the threads will rise and fall by touching the coating and conductor of the phial alternately4 ,may it not be that the difference between the charged side of the glass1 and the outer or emptied side1 being lessened by touching the hook or the conductor2 the outer side can receive from the hand which touched it1 and by its receiving1 the inner side cannot retain so much2 and for that reason so much as it cannot contain electrises the water1 or filings and conductor3 for it seems to be a rule1 that the one side must be emptied in the same proportion that the other is filled3 though this from experiment appears evident1 yet it is still a mystery not to be accounted for4 ,i am in many places of the ,abb's book surprised to find that experiments have succeeded so differently at ,paris1 from what they did with ,mr4 ,franklin1 and as ,i have always observed them to do4 ,the ,abb1 in making experiments to find the difference between the two surfaces of a charged glass1 will not have the phial placed on wax3 for1 says he1 don't you know that being placed on a body originally electric1 it quickly loses its virtue8 ,i cannot imagine what should have made the ,abb think so2 it certainly is contradictory to the notions commonly received of electrics per se2 and by experiment ,i find it entirely otherwise3 for having several times left a charged phial1 for that purpose1 standing on wax for hours1 ,i found it to retain as much of its charge as another that stood at the same time on a table4 ,i left one standing on wax from ten o'clock at night till eight the next morning1 when ,i found it to retain a sufficient quantity of its charge1 to give me a sensible commotion in my arms1 though the room in which the phial stood had been swept in that time1 which must have raised much dust to facilitate the discharge of the phial4 ,i find that a cork-ball suspended between two bottles1 the one fully and the other but little charged1 will not play between them1 but is driven into a situation that makes a triangle with the hooks of the phials3 though the ,abb has asserted the contrary of this1 p4 #aja1 in order to account for the playing of a cork-ball between the wire thrust into the phial1 and one that rises up from its coating4 ,the phial which is least charged must have more electric matter given to it1 in proportion to its bulk1 than the cork-ball receives from the hook of the full phial4 ,the ,abb says1 p4 #ajc1 ,that a piece of metal leaf hung to a silk thread and electrised1 will be repelled by the bottom of a charged phial held by its hook in the air3 this ,i find constantly otherwise1 it is with me always first attracted and then repelled3 it is necessary in charging the leaf to be careful1 that it does not fly off to some non-electric body1 and so discharge itself when you think it is charged2 it is difficult to keep it from flying to your own wrist1 or to some part of your body4 ,the ,abb1 p4 #ajh1 says1 that it is not impossible1 as ,mr4 ,franklin says it is1 to charge a phial while there is a communication formed between its coating and its hook4 ,i have always found it impossible to charge such a phial so as to give a shock3 indeed1 if it hang on the conductor without a communication from it1 you may draw a spark from it as you may from any body that hangs there1 but this is very different from being charged in such a manner as to give a shock4 ,the ,abb1 in order to account for the little quantity of electric matter that is to be found in the phial1 says1 that it rather follows the metal than the glass1 and that it is spewed out into the air from the coating of the phial4 ,i wonder how it comes not to do so too1 when it sifts through the glass1 and charges the exterior surface1 according to the ,abb's system6 ,the ,abb's objections against ,mr4 ,franklin's two last experiments1 ,i think1 have little weight in them3 he seems1 indeed1 much at a loss what to say1 wherefore he taxes ,mr4 ,franklin with having concealed a material part of the experiment2 a thing too mean for any gentleman to be charged with1 who has not shown as great a partiality in relating experiments1 as the ,abb has done4 ,,end ,,of ,,volume ,,the ,,first4 ,j4 ,,cundee1 ,,printer1 ,,ivy-,,lane4 ,,index4 ,a4 ,accent1 or emphasis1 wrong placing of1 a fault in modern tunes1 ii4 #cde4 ,accidents at sea1 how to guard against1 ii4 #agb4 ,adams1 ,mr4 ,matthew1 offers the use of his library to ,franklin1 i4 #af4 ,addison1 ,franklin an assiduous imitator of1 in his youth1 i4 #ac4 ,advice to youth in reading1 ii4 #cgh4 to emigrants to ,america1 iii4 #cih4 to a crafty statesman1 #dcj4 to a young tradesman1 #dfc4 to a young married man1 #dgg4 to players at chess1 #dij4 pinus1 his hypothesis of magnetism1 i4 #dab4 ,agriculture takes place of manufactures till a country is fully settled1 iii4 #ajg4 the great business of ,america1 #cic4 ,air1 some of the properties of1 ii4 #bbf4 its properties with respect to electricity1 i4 #bjd4 properties of its particles1 #bje4 ii4 #a4 its currents over the globe1 i4 #bjg4 resists the electric fluid and confines it to bodies1 #bda4 its effects in electrical experiments1 #bec4 its elasticity not affected by electricity1 #bed4 its friction against trees1 #bgj1 #cbc4 has its share of electricity1 #ccc4 its electricity denser above than below1 #cce4 in rooms1 electrified positively and negatively1 #cec4 attracts water1 ii4 #a4 when saturated with water precipitates it1 #b4 dissolves water1 and1 when dry1 oil1 #d4 why suffocating1 when impregnated with oil or grease1 ibid4 supports water1 #e1 #df1 #di4 why less heated in the higher regions than near the earth's surface1 #f4 how it creates hurricanes1 ibid4 winds1 #h4 whirlwinds1 #aj4 effects of heat upon1 #ej4 its effects on the barometer1 #ib4 condensed1 supposed to form the centre of the earth1 #aai1 #abg4 noxious1 corrected by vegetation1 #abi4 observations on the free use of1 #bac4 rare1 no bad conductor of sound1 #ccg4 fresh1 beneficial effects of1 in bed-rooms1 iii4 #die4 ,air-thermometer1 electrical1 experiments with1 i4 #ccf4 ,albany plan of union1 short account of1 i4 #abg4 its singular fate1 #abi4 papers relating to1 iii4 #c4 motives on which formed1 #d4 rejects partial unions1 #f4 its president and grand council1 #i4 election of members1 #ab4 place of first meeting1 #ac4 new election1 ibid4 proportion of members after three years1 #ae4 meetings of the grand council and call1 #af4 allowance to members1 #ag4 power of president and his duty1 #ah4 treaties of peace and war1 ibid4 ,indian trade and purchases1 #ai4 new settlements1 #ba4 military establishments1 #bc4 laws and taxes1 #bd1 #bf4 issuing of money1 #be4 appointment of officers1 #bg4 rejected in ,england1 #bi4 ,almanack4 ,see ,poor ,richard4 ,alphabet1 a new one proposed1 ii4 #ceg4 examples of writing in it1 #cfj4 correspondence on its merits1 #cfa4 ,amber1 electrical experiments on1 i4 #djc4 ,america1 ,north1 air of1 drier than that of ,england and ,france1 ii4 #adj4 why marriages are more frequent there than in ,europe1 #che4 why labour will long continue dear there1 ibid4 argument against the union of the colonies of1 under one government1 #dja4 state of toleration there1 #deg4 reflections on the scheme of imposing taxes on1 without its consent1 iii4 #cj4 thoughts on the representation of1 in the ,british parliament1 #cg4 interest of ,great ,britain with regard to1 #ci4 forts in the back settlements of1 no security against ,france1 #ii4 wars carried on there against the ,french1 not merely in the cause of the colonies1 #aje4 preference of the colonies of1 to the ,west ,indian colonies1 #aac4 great navigable rivers of1 favourable to inland trade1 #aah4 what commodities the inland parts of1 are fitted to produce1 #aai4 the productions of1 do not interfere with those of ,britain1 #abc4 union of the colonies of1 in a revolt against ,britain1 impossible but from grievous oppression1 #acb4 reasons given for restraining paper-bills of credit there1 #add4 intended scheme of a bank there1 described1 #aee4 attempts of ,franklin for conciliation of ,britain with1 #bhf4 feeling of1 as to ,britain1 in ,may #agge1 #cdf4 conciliation of ,britain with1 hopeless1 #cee4 account of the first campaign of the ,british forces against1 #ceg4 application of1 to foreign courts1 for aid in its independence1 #cfj4 credit of1 with that of ,britain1 in #aggg1 compared1 #cgb4 true description of the interest and policy of1 #cia4 information to those emigrating thither1 #cih4 terms on which land may be obtained for new settlements there1 #dji4 ,americans1 their prejudices for whatever is ,english1 i4 #add4 ,anchor1 a swimming one proposed1 ii4 #aha1 #ahe4 ,ancients1 their experimental learning too often slighted1 ii4 #adf4 ,anecdote of ,franklin's early spirit of enterprise1 i4 #aa4 of a ,swedish clergyman among the ,indians1 iii4 #chf4 of an ,indian who went to church1 #chi4 ,animal food1 ,franklin's abstinence from1 i4 #bj4 return to1 #dg4 humorous instance of abstinence from1 #di4 heat1 whence it arises1 ii4 #gi1 #abe4 magnetism1 detected and exposed1 i4 #aej4 ,animalcules1 supposed to cause the luminous appearance of sea-water1 ii4 #hi4 ,animals1 how to kill them by electricity1 i4 #dae4 ,antifederalists of ,america1 comparison of1 to the ancient ,jews1 iii4 #daj4 ,apprentices easier placed out in ,america than in ,europe1 iii4 #djg4 indentures of1 how made in ,america1 #djh4 ,argumentation1 bad effects of1 as a habit1 i4 #ag4 best method of1 #bb4 ,armies1 best means of supporting them1 ii4 #djj4 ,armonica1 musical instrument so called1 described1 ii4 #ccj4 manner of playing on it1 #ccd4 ,asbestos1 specimen of1 sold by ,franklin to ,sir ,hans ,sloane1 i4 #fj4 letter relating to it1 iii4 #eac4 ,astrology1 letter to the ,busy-body on1 iii4 #ddh4 ,atmosphere sometimes denser above than below1 ii4 #f4 electrical1 its properties1 i4 #bid4 ,aurora borealis explained1 i4 #bab4 conjectures respecting1 #beg1 ii4 #fi4 query concerning1 i4 #bic4 ,b4 ,badoin1 ,mr4 letters from1 i4 #cad1 #cbd4 ,ballads1 two1 written by ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #af4 ,balls of fire in the air1 remark concerning1 ii4 #ccg4 ,barometer1 how acted on by air1 ii4 #ib4 ,barrels for gunpowder1 new sort proposed1 i4 #cgf4 ,bass1 unnecessary in some tunes1 ii4 #cdc4 ,bathing relieves thirst1 ii4 #ajd4 observations on1 #baa4 ,battery1 electrical1 its construction1 i4 #aic4 ,baxter1 ,mr4 observations on his enquiry into the nature of the soul1 ii4 #aaj4 ,beccaria1 character of his book on electricity1 i4 #caj4 ,beer1 not conducive to bodily strength1 i4 #fb4 ,bells1 form in consecrating them at ,paris1 i4 #chd4 ,belly-ache1 dry1 lead a cause of1 ii4 #bbj4 ,bermuda1 little thunder there1 i4 #baf4 ,bermudian sloops1 advantages of their construction1 ii4 #agc4 ,bernoulli1 ,mr4 his plan for moving boats1 ii4 #agi4 ,bevis1 ,dr4 draws electricity from the clouds1 i4 #dbi4 ,bible1 anecdote of its concealment in the reign of ,mary1 i4 #g4 travestied by ,dr4 ,brown1 #ca4 ,bills of mortality1 reasonings1 formed on those for capital cities1 not applicable to the country1 ii4 #chc4 ,birth1 noble1 no qualification in ,america1 iii4 #djj4 ,bishops1 none in ,america1 and why1 ii4 #def1 #deh4 ,black clothes heat more and dry sooner than white1 ii4 #ajh4 not fit for hot climates1 #aji4 ,blacksmith1 trade of1 hereditary in ,franklin's family1 i4 #d4 ,blindness occasioned both by lightning and electricity1 i4 #bbh4 ,boats1 difference of their sailing in shoal and deep water1 ii4 #afj4 management of1 best understood by savages1 #agf4 how rowed by the ,chinese1 #agg4 methods of moving them by machinery1 ibid4 improvement of ,mr4 ,bernoulli's plan for moving them1 #agi4 proposal for a new mode of moving them1 ibid4 double1 advantage of1 #agc1 #agd4 one built by ,sir ,w4 ,petty1 ibid4 ,bodies1 electrified negatively1 repel each other1 ii4 #bid4 effect of blunt1 compared with pointed ones1 i4 #agb1 #bbc4 ,body1 human1 specifically lighter than water1 ii4 #bjh4 political and human1 compared1 iii4 #aae4 ,boerhaave1 his opinion of the propagation of heat1 ii4 #eh4 of steam from fermenting liquors1 #ei4 ,boiling water1 experiments with1 i4 #ccb1 #cdd1 #cde4 pot1 bottom of1 why cold1 #chg4 ,bolton1 ,mr4 experiment by1 i4 #cdf4 ,books read by ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #ae1 #ah1 #bj1 #ba4 ,boston1 the birth-place of ,franklin1 i4 #h4 why quitted by him in his youth1 #bg1 its inhabitants decrease1 ii4 #baj4 preface to proceedings of the town meeting of1 iii4 #cag4 ,boyle's lectures1 effect of1 on ,franklin1 i4 #gi4 ,braddock1 general1 defeat of1 i4 #aca4 ,bradford1 printer at ,philadelphia1 i4 #cd1 #ajb4 ,brass1 hot1 yields unwholesome steams1 ii4 #bdi ,brientnal1 ,joseph1 a member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hc4 ,brimstone1 when fluid1 will conduct electricity1 i4 #bef4 ,bristol waters1 an alledged fact concerning1 ii4 #ie4 ,britain1 incapacity of1 to supply the colonies with manufactures1 ii4 #chf4 ,british empire1 an union of several states1 iii4 #caj4 ,brown1 ,dr4 acquaintance of ,franklin's1 i4 #cj4 travestied the bible1 #ca4 ,bubbles on the surface of water1 hypothesis respecting1 ii4 #dh4 ,buchan1 earl of1 letter to1 on the price of land for new settlements in ,america1 iii4 #dji4 ,buildings1 what kind safest from lightning1 i4 #cgi4 ,bullion1 causes of its variation in price1 iii4 #aec4 ,bunyan's ,voyages1 a book early read by ,franklin1 i4 #ae1 #bh4 ,bur1 cause of1 round a hole struck through pasteboard1 i4 #bhj4 ,burnet1 governor1 his attention to ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #dd4 ,busy-body1 essays under the title of1 i4 #hf4 iii4 #dbb4 ,c4 ,cabinet-work1 veneered in ,england1 shrinks and flies in ,america1 ii4 #adj4 ,cables1 why apt to part when weighing anchor in a swell1 ii4 #afg4 this defect of1 remedied1 #afh4 ,cabot1 ,sebastian1 his commission from ,henry ,,vii41 iii4 #cdh4 ,calvinism1 ,franklin educated in the principles of1 i4 #gi4 ,campaign in ,america1 account of the first1 iii4 #ceg4 ,canals1 observations on their depth1 ii4 #aei4 ,canada1 importance of1 to ,england1 i4 #acf4 visited by ,franklin1 #adg4 its extent1 iii4 #bj4 pamphlet on the importance of1 #hi4 easily peopled without draining ,britain1 #aci4 ,cancers1 specific for1 i4 #bfj1 #bfa4 ,candles lighted by electricity1 i4 #agf4 distance at which the flame of1 may be seen1 ii4 #ij4 ,cann1 silver1 a singular experiment on1 i4 #cjg4 ,canoes of the ,american ,indians1 their advantages1 ii4 #agf4 ,canton1 ,mr4 ,john1 experiments by1 i4 #bhf1 #cdf4 draws electricity from the clouds1 #dbh4 ,capitals1 their use in printing1 ii4 #ceb4 ,caribbees1 possession of1 only a temporary benefit1 iii4 #adb4 ,carolina1 ,south1 see ,lightning4 ,cavendish1 lord ,charles1 his electrical experiments1 i4 #cdh4 ,cayenne would be a great acquisition to ,britain1 iii4 #adj4 ,centre of the earth1 hypothesis concerning1 ii4 #aai1 #abg4 ,cessions from an enemy1 on what grounds may be demanded1 iii4 #ic4 ,chapel1 nickname for a printing house1 i4 #fc4 ,character1 remarks on the delineation of1 iii4 #dde4 ,charcoal-fires1 hurtful1 ii4 #bce4 ,charging and discharging1 in electricity1 explained1 i4 #aij4 a number of bottles at once1 how done1 ibid4 ,charters of the colonies could not be altered by parliament1 iii4 #ccb4 ,chess1 morals of1 iii4 #dhh4 not an idle amusement1 ibid4 teaches various virtues1 #dhi4 advice to those who play1 #dij4 too intense an application to1 injurious1 #ejj4 ,chimnies1 different kinds of1 enumerated1 ii4 #bbh4 inconvenience of the old-fashioned ones1 #bbi4 defect of more modern ones1 #bcj4 have not long been in use in ,england1 #bgg4 ,staffordshire1 described1 #bhe4 have a draft of air up and down1 #bhi4 may be used for keeping provisions in summer1 #bij4 may be of use to miners1 #bia4 funnels to1 what the best1 #bib1 #bie4 method of contracting them1 #cag4 smoky4 ,see ,smoky4 ,china1 provision made there against famine1 ii4 #djg4 ,chinese wisely divide the holds of their vessels by partitions1 ii4 #aga4 how they row their boats1 #agg4 their method of warming ground floors1 #bib4 improvement in this method suggested1 #bic4 their method of making large paper1 #cdi4 ,circle1 magical1 account of1 ii4 #cbg1 #cbh4 ,cities1 spring water gradually deteriorates in1 i4 #afc4 do not supply themselves with inhabitants1 ii4 #chd4 ,clark1 ,dr4 of ,boston1 quoted1 on the instigation of the ,american ,indians against the ,english1 iii4 #ie1 #ajj1 #ajb4 ,clothes1 wet1 may preserve from lightning1 i4 #bac4 will relieve thirst1 ii4 #ajd4 do not give colds1 ibid4 imbibe heat according to their colour1 #ajh4 white1 most suitable for hot climates1 ibid4 ,clothing does not give1 but preserves1 warmth1 ii4 #ha4 ,clouds1 at land and at sea1 difference between1 i4 #bjg4 formed at sea1 how brought to rain on land1 #bjh4 driven against mountains1 form springs and rivers1 #bji4 passing different ways1 accounted for1 #baa4 electrical1 attracted by trees1 spires1 c4 #bac4 manner in which they become electrised1 #beg1 #cje4 are electrised sometimes negatively and sometimes positively1 #bgd1 #bgg1 #bhd1 #bib4 electricity drawn from them1 at ,marly1 #dbj4 by ,mr4 ,cauton1 #dbh4 by ,dr4 ,bevis1 #dbi1 by ,mr4 ,wilson1 ibid4 how supported in air1 ii4 #e4 how formed1 #g4 whether winds are generated or can be confined in them1 #eg4 have little more solidity than fogs1 ibid4 ,club1 called the ,junto1 instituted by ,franklin1 i4 #hb4 rules of1 ii4 #cff1 #cfi4 questions discussed in1 #cfi4 ,coal1 sea1 letter on the nature of1 ii4 #abh4 ,cold1 why seemingly greater in metals than in wood1 ii4 #ef1 #gg4 sensation of1 how produced1 #eg4 only the absence of heat1 #ha4 produced by chemical mixtures1 ibid4 evaporation4 ,see ,evaporation4 ,colden1 ,mr4 his remarks on ,abb ,nollet's letters1 i4 #dcj4 meteorological observations1 ii4 #ea4 observations on water-spouts1 #ec4 ,colds1 causes of1 ii4 #bad1 #bcj4 ,coleman1 ,william1 a member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hd1 #hi4 ,colica pictorum1 caused by lead1 ii4 #bai4 ,collins1 ,john1 an early friend of ,franklin's1 i4 #ag1 #bg1 #da1 #dc1 #dd4 ,collinson1 ,mr4 some account of1 iii4 #ead4 ,colonial governments in ,america of three kinds1 iii4 #ej4 ,colonies1 the settlement of1 does not diminish national numbers1 ii4 #cia4 their prosperity beneficial to the mother country1 iii4 #aac4 are intitled to distinct governments1 #cjc4 ,american1 preferable to the ,west ,indies1 ibid4 not dangerous to ,britain1 #acb4 aids to government1 how given by1 #bbe1 #bbf4 originally governed by the crown1 independent of ,parliament1 #bia4 not settled at the expence of ,britain1 #cdh4 ,colonists in ,america1 double their number in #be years1 iii4 #aac4 from ,britain1 their rights1 #bii4 ,colours4 ,see ,clothes4 ,comazants1 or corposants1 are electrical appearances1 i4 #bdh4 ,commerce1 influence of1 on the manners of a people1 ii4 #djj4 is best encouraged by being left free1 #dae4 should not be prohibited in time of war1 #dag4 by inland carriage1 how supported1 iii4 #aaf4 ,common-sense1 by ,paine1 ,franklin supposed to have contributed to1 i4 #adh4 ,compass1 instances of its losing its virtue by lightning1 i4 #bdh4 how to remedy the want of1 at sea1 ii4 #aia4 ,conductors of lightning1 very common in ,america1 i4 #aac4 first suggestion of the utility of1 #bbg4 construction of1 #ceh4 particulars relating to1 #cgg4 of electricity1 difference in the action of1 #bjj1 #cjc4 which the most perfect1 #bec1 #bef4 and non-conductors1 other terms substituted for1 ibid4 of common fire1 their properties and differences1 ii4 #gf1 #gg4 experiments on1 ii4 #gg4 ,congress1 ,franklin appointed a delegate to1 i4 #adf4 proposed overture from1 in #agge1 iii4 #cdg4 ,consecration of bells in ,france1 form of1 i4 #chd4 ,conspirators1 electrical1 meaning of the term1 i4 #aif4 ,controversy1 benefit of1 iii4 #ib4 ,conversation1 advantage of useful topics of1 at dinner1 i4 #ab4 ,cook1 captain1 circular letter concerning1 iii4 #eae4 copy of the voyages of1 presented to ,franklin1 by the ,admiralty1 #eag4 ,cookery1 at sea1 generally bad1 ii4 #aid4 ,copper1 manner of covering houses with1 ii4 #cah1 #cbj1 #cbb4 ,copper plate printing-press1 the first in ,america1 constructed by ,franklin1 i4 #gg4 ,corn1 ill policy of laying restraints on the exportation of1 ii4 #dac1 #dah4 ,countries1 distant and unprovided1 a plan for benefiting1 ii4 #djc4 ,creation1 conjectures as to1 ii4 #aah4 ,credit1 that of ,america and ,britain in #aggg1 compared1 iii4 #cgb4 depends on payment of loans1 #cgc4 industry and frugality1 #cgd4 public spirit1 #cge4 income and security1 #cgf4 prospects of future ability1 ibid4 prudence1 #cgg4 character for honesty1 #cgh4 is money to a tradesman1 #dfd4 ,criminal laws1 reflections on1 ii4 #dci4 ,crooked direction of lightning explained1 i4 #caf4 ,cutler1 circumstance that prevented ,franklin's being apprenticed to one1 i4 #ad4 ,currents at sea1 often not perceivable1 ii4 #ahe4 ,cyder1 the best quencher of thirst1 ii4 #aie4 ,d4 ,dalrymple1 ,mr4 scheme of a voyage under his command to benefit remote regions1 ii4 #djc4 ,damp air1 why more chilling than dry air that is colder1 ii4 #ef1 #gg4 ,dampier1 account of a water-spout by1 ii4 #cc4 references to his voyage1 on the subject of water-spouts1 #eh4 ,dampness on walls1 cause of1 ii4 #ej4 ,day-light1 proposal to use it instead of candle-light1 iii4 #dgj4 ,deacon1 ,isaac1 from an underling to a surveyor1 becomes inspector- general of ,america1 i4 #gh4 prognosticates the future eminence in life of ,franklin1 ib4 ,death of ,franklin1 i4 #aec4 letter from ,dr4 ,price on1 iii4 #eda4 of relatives1 reflections on1 #ejg4 ,deism1 effects on ,franklin of books written against1 i4 #gi4 ,deluge1 accounted for1 ii4 #abg4 ,denham1 a quaker1 a friend of ,franklin's1 i4 #ed4 extraordinary trait of honesty of1 to his creditors1 #fg4 ,franklin's engagement with1 as a clerk1 #fh1 #gj4 ,denmark1 the people of1 not subject to colds1 ii4 #bdd4 ,denny1 governor1 remarks on his official conduct in ,pensylvania1 iii4 #agj4 ,desaquiliers1 his experiment on the vapour of hot iron1 ii4 #bdi4 ,dew1 how produced1 i4 #bjg4 ,dialogue1 between ,franklin and the gout1 iii4 #dii4 ,dickenson1 ,mr4 his remarks on the views of ,england in framing laws over the colonies1 iii4 #bcd4 remarks on his conduct1 #aib4 on his protest1 #bjb4 ,discontented dispositions satirized1 iii4 #dhe4 ,discontents in ,america before #agfh1 causes of1 iii4 #bbe4 ,dissentions between ,england and ,america1 letter on1 iii4 #caj4 ,dissertation1 early one of ,franklin's1 that he repented having written1 i4 #eh4 ,disputation1 modesty in1 recommended1 i4 #ba4 ii4 #cag4 ,disputes between ,franklin and his brother1 to whom he was apprenticed1 i4 #bd4 ,domien1 a traveller1 short account of1 i4 #cjb4 ,drawling1 a defect in modern tunes1 ii4 #cde4 ,dreams1 art of procuring pleasant ones1 iii4 #dic4 ,dumas1 ,monsieur1 letter to1 on the aid wanted by ,america in her struggle for independence1 iii4 #cfj4 ,duna river1 not to be confounded with the ,dwina1 iii4 #aai1 note4 ,dust1 how raised and carried up into the air1 ii4 #c4 ,duties1 moral1 the knowledge of1 more important than the knowledge of nature1 ii4 #ie4 ,dutch iron stove1 advantages and defects of1 ii4 #bcc4 ,e4 ,early impressions1 lasting effect of1 on the mind1 iii4 #dgh4 ,earth will dissolve in air1 ii4 #b4 dry1 will not conduct electricity1 i4 #bjf4 the1 sometimes strikes lightning into the clouds1 #bgd4 grows no hotter under the summer sun1 why1 ii4 #hf4 different strata of1 #aaf4 theory of1 #aag4 ,earthquakes1 general good arising from1 ii4 #aaf4 how occasioned1 #abj1 #abh4 ,eaton1 in ,northamptonshire1 residence of ,franklin's family1 i4 #c4 ,ebb and flood1 explanation of the terms1 ii4 #ajj4 ,economical project1 iii4 #dfi4 ,edinburgh1 an ordinance there against the purchase of prize-goods1 ii4 #ddg4 ,education of women1 controversy respecting1 i4 #ag4 ,eel1 electrical1 of ,surinam1 i4 #djh1 #dji4 ,effluvia of drugs1 c4 will not pass through glass1 i4 #bdc4 ,electrical air-thermometer described1 i4 #ccf1 et seq4 atmosphere1 how produced1 #bba4 how drawn off1 #bbb4 atmospheres repel each other1 #bid4 repel electric matter in other bodies1 ib4 battery1 its construction1 #aic4 clouds1 experiment regarding1 #bbi4 death1 the easiest1 #cjg4 experiments1 ,franklin's eager pursuit of1 #ajd4 made in ,france1 #aji4 various1 #ahb1 #bbi1 #bed1 #bee1 #bfa1 #bga1 #bgh1 #bhf1 #bid1 #cjg1 #cbg1 #ccg1 #cdh1 #cga1 #dcd4 fire1 not created by friction1 but collected1 #agc4 passes through water1 #bjb4 loves water and subsists in it1 #bjc4 diffused through all matter1 #bje visible on the surface of the sea1 ibid4 its properties and uses1 #bad1 et seq4 produces common fire1 #bad1 #bch1 #cef4 has the same crooked direction as lightning1 #cae4 fluid1 its beneficial uses1 #bai4 is strongly attracted by glass1 #bcf4 manner of its acting through glass hermetically sealed1 #bda4 a certain quantity of1 in all kinds of matter1 #bge4 nature of its explosion1 #bhj4 chooses the best conductor1 #bha1 #cgh4 force1 may be unboundedly increased1 #bea4 horse-race1 #ccd4 jack for roasting1 #aig4 kiss1 its force increased1 #agg4 kite1 described1 #bfh4 machine2 simple and portable one1 described1 #agh4 matter1 its properties1 #bag1 #bid4 party of pleasure1 #bjb4 phial1 or ,leyden bottle1 its phenomena explained1 #agi4 shock1 observations on1 #ahb4 effects of a strong one on the human body1 #big1 #cjf4 spark1 perforates a quire of paper1 #aie4 wheel1 its construction1 #aif4 self-moving one1 #aih4 ,electricity1 summary of its progress1 i4 #ajd4 positive and negative1 discovered1 #ajf4 distinguished1 #age4 in a tourmalin1 #cgj4 does not affect the elasticity of the air1 #bed4 its similarity to lightning1 #bhh4 its effects on paralysis1 #dja4 of fogs in ,ireland1 #dje4 supposed affinity between1 and magnetism1 #daj4 ,electrics per se and non-electrics1 difference between1 i4 #bdb1 #beh4 ,electrified bumpers described1 i4 #bjc4 ,electrisation1 what constitutes the state of1 i4 #bah4 various appearances of1 #age4 variety of1 #agf4 ,electrising one's self1 manner of1 i4 #agd4 ,elocution1 how best taught1 ii4 #cgd4 ,embassador from the ,united ,states to ,france1 ,franklin appointed to the office of1 i4 #adh4 ,emblematical design illustrative of the ,american troubles1 iii4 #cga4 ,emigrants to ,america1 advice to1 iii4 #cih4 ,empire1 rules for reducing a great one1 iii4 #ccd4 ,england1 ,franklin's first arrival in1 i4 #ee4 second arrival in1 as agent for the province of ,pensylvania1 #acd4 third arrival in1 as agent for the same province1 #ada4 its air moister than that of ,america1 ii4 #adj4 decrease of population in1 doubtful1 #bif4 ,english1 effect of the ancient manners of1 ii4 #cii4 language1 innovations in1 #cea4 ,enterprises1 public1 ,franklin's early disposition for1 i4 #aj4 ,ephemera1 an emblem of human life1 iii4 #ejh4 ,epitaph on ,franklin's parents1 i4 #ac4 on himself1 #aee4 ,episcopalians1 conduct of the ,american legislature towards1 ii4 #dee4 ,errors of ,franklin's early life1 i4 #de1 #eh1 #fa1 #hj1 #ig4 ,ether1 what1 ii4 #ei4 ,evaporation1 cold produced by1 i4 #cdd1 ii4 #gf1 #hc1 #he4 of rivers1 effects of1 #ajf4 ,examination of ,franklin before the house of commons1 i4 #adb1 iii4 #bde4 before the privy council1 #cbh4 further particulars of1 #eea4 ,exchange1 rate of1 between ,philadelphia and ,britain1 iii4 #beb4 ,exercise1 should precede meals1 iii4 #dic4 ,experiments1 to show the electrical effect of points1 i4 #aga1 #agb4 to prove the electrical state of the ,leyden phial1 #ahb4 of firing spirits by a spark sent through a river1 #bjb4 to show how thunder-storms produce rain1 #bji4 on the clouds1 proposed1 #bbh4 on drugs electrified1 #bdc4 on the elasticity of the air1 #bed4 on the electric fluid1 #bee4 by ,mr4 ,kennersley1 #bfa4 on the electricity of the clouds1 #bga4 for increasing electricity1 #bgh4 by ,mr4 ,canton1 #bhf4 in pursuance of those of ,mr4 ,canton1 #bid4 on a silver cann1 #cjg4 on the velocity of the electric fluid1 #cbg1 #cbi1 #ccj4 for producing cold by evaporation1 #cdd4 on the different effects of electricity1 #ceg4 by lord ,charles ,cavendish1 #cdh4 on the tourmalin1 #cga4 to show the utility of long pointed rods to houses1 #chi4 on amber1 #djc et seq4 on the ,leyden phial1 #dcd4 on different coloured cloths1 ii4 #ajh1 #aji4 on the sailing of boats1 #afj4 ,exportation of gold and silver1 observations on1 ii4 #daf4 ,exports to ,north ,america and the ,west ,indies1 iii4 #abg1 #abh4 to ,pensylvania1 #abi1 #bej4 from ditto1 #bej4 ,eye1 retains the images of luminous objects1 ii4 #cdj4 ,f4 ,facts1 should be ascertained before we attempt to account for them1 ii4 #if4 ,family of ,franklin1 account of1 i4 #e4 et seq4 ,famine1 how provided against in ,china1 ii4 #djg4 ,fanning1 how it cools1 ii4 #hg4 ,farmers1 remonstrance in behalf of1 ii4 #dbj4 ,federal constitution1 speech on1 iii4 #daf4 ,felons1 transportation of1 to ,america1 highly disagreeable to the inhabitants1 iii4 #bce4 ,fermenting liquors1 their steam deleterious1 ii4 #ei4 ,fire1 not destroyed by water1 but dispersed1 i4 #agb4 makes air specifically lighter1 #bjf4 exists in all bodies1 #bad4 common and electrical1 exist together1 ibid4 a region of1 above our atmosphere1 #beg1 ii4 #abd4 many ways of kindling it1 i4 #cef4 exists in a solid or quiescent state in substances1 ibid4 ii4 #hj1 #abb4 recovers its fluidity by combustion1 ibid4 is a fluid permeating all bodies1 #gf4 conductors of1 are also best conductors of the electric fluid1 ibid4 difference between1 and electrical conductors1 #gg4 how diffused through substances1 #gh4 how generated in animated bodies1 #gi4 theory of1 #abb4 a fixed and permanent quantity of1 in the universe1 #abc4 its properties1 #bbg4 electrical1 see ,electrical4 ,fire-companies1 numerous at ,philadelphia1 i4 #ajc4 ,fire-places1 ,pensylvanian1 account of1 ii4 #bbe4 large and open1 inconvenient1 #bbh4 hollow backed1 by ,gauger1 #bcb4 ,staffordshire1 #bhe4 an ingenious one for serving two rooms1 #bif4 ,fires1 at sea1 how often produced1 ii4 #agd4 great and bright1 damage the eyes and skin1 #bcj4 ,fisheries1 value of those of ,newfoundland1 iii4 #deb4 ,flame1 preserves bodies from being consumed while surrounding them1 ii4 #caj1 #caa4 ,flaxseed1 amount of the exportation of from ,america to ,ireland1 iii4 #bgj4 ,flesh1 of animals1 made tender by lightning and by electricity1 i4 #cei1 #dad4 ,flies1 drowned in ,america1 brought to life in ,england1 ii4 #bbc4 ,flood and ebb1 explanation of the terms1 ii4 #ajj4 ,florence flask1 when filled with boiling water1 not chargeable with electricity1 i4 #ccb1 #cde4 ,fog1 great1 in #aghc1 ii4 #fh4 conjectures as to its cause1 ibid4 ,fogs1 how supported in air1 ii4 #e4 electricity of1 in ,ireland1 i4 #dje4 ,folger1 family-name of ,franklin's mother1 i4 #h4 ,foreigners1 the importation of1 not necessary to fill up occasional vacancies in population1 ii4 #cij4 ,forts in the back settlements1 not approved of1 iii4 #ii4 ,foster1 judge1 notes on his argument for the impress of seamen1 ii4 #dcg4 ,foundering at sea1 accidents that occasion it1 ii4 #afi1 #agj4 ,fountain1 when electrified1 its stream separates1 i4 #bjf4 ,fowls1 improperly treated at sea1 ii4 #aic4 ,fragments1 political1 ii4 #daa4 ,france1 its air moister than that of ,america1 ii4 #adj4 effects of its military manners1 #cii4 ,franklin1 derivation of the name1 i4 #d4 genealogy of the family of1 #e4 ,franks1 the improper use of1 reprobated1 ii4 #dce4 ,freezing to death in summer1 possibility of1 ii4 #hd4 ,french language1 its general use1 ii4 #cec4 ,frontiers1 in ,america1 the attack of1 the common cause of the state1 iii4 #aji4 ,frugality1 advantages of1 ii4 #cig4 observance of1 in ,america1 iii4 #cgd ,fruit-walls1 blacking them recommended1 ii4 #aaj4 ,fuel1 scarce in ,philadelphia1 ii4 #bbe4 ,fulling-mills in ,america1 iii4 #bgj4 ,fusion1 cold1 of metals1 supposed1 i4 #bae4 proves a mistake1 #cci4 error respecting it acknowledged1 #cee4 ,g4 ,galloway1 ,mr1 preface to his speech1 iii4 #afc4 ,garnish-money1 practice among printers of demanding it1 i4 #fc4 ,gauger1 ,m4 his invention for fire-places1 ii4 #bcb4 ,genealogy of the ,franklin family1 i4 #e4 ,german stoves1 advantages and disadvantages of1 ii4 #bcd4 ,germany1 why the several states of1 encourage foreign manufactures in preference to those of each other1 iii4 #aah4 note4 ,gilding1 its properties as a conductor1 i4 #bja4 the effects of lightning and of electricity on1 #bbi4 fails as a conductor after a few shocks1 #bca4 ,glass1 has always the same quantity of electrical fire1 i4 #aia4 possesses the whole power of giving a shock1 #aib1 #bdg4 in panes1 when first used in an electrical experiment1 #aic1 #aid4 great force in small portions of1 #aii4 impermeable to the electric fluid1 #bcd1 #caj4 strongly attracts the electric fluid1 #bcf4 cannot be electrified negatively1 ibid4 its opposite surfaces1 how affected1 ibid4 its component parts and pores extremely fine1 #bcg4 manner of its operation in producing electricity1 ibid4 its elasticity1 to what owing1 #bci4 thick1 resists a change of the quantity of electricity of its different sides1 #bdb4 rod of1 will not conduct a shock1 ibid4 when fluid1 or red hot1 will conduct electricity1 #bef4 difference in its qualities1 #cja4 error as to its pores1 #cjb4 will admit the electric fluid1 when moderately heated1 #cde1 #cdg4 when cold retains the electric fluid1 #cdf4 experiments on warm and cold1 #cdh4 singular tube and ball of1 #chf4 ,glasses1 musical1 described1 ii4 #ccj1 et seq4 ,god1 saying in ,america respecting1 iii4 #dja4 ,godfrey1 ,thomas1 a lodger with ,franklin1 i4 #ha4 a member of the ,junto1 #hc4 inventor of ,hadley's quadrant1 ibid4 wishes ,franklin to marry a relation of his1 #ie4 ,gold and silver1 remarks on exportation of1 ii4 #daf4 ,golden fish1 an electrical device1 i4 #bcc4 ,government1 free1 only destroyed by corruption of manners1 ii4 #cig4 ,gout1 dialogue with that disease1 iii4 #dii4 ,grace1 ,robert1 member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hd1 #hi4 ,gratitude of ,america1 letter on1 iii4 #bci4 ,greasing the bottoms of ships1 gives them more swiftness1 ii4 #ahj4 ,greece1 causes of its superiority over ,persia1 ii4 #cig4 ,greek empire1 the destruction of1 dispersed manufacturers over ,europe1 iii4 #abb4 ,green and red1 relation between the colours of1 ii4 #cda4 ,greenlanders1 their boats best for rowing1 ii4 #agf4 ,guadaloupe1 its value to ,britain over-rated1 iii4 #aci4 ,gulph-stream1 observations on1 ii4 #ahf4 whalers frequent its edges1 ibid4 long unknown to any but the ,american fishermen1 ibid4 how generated1 #ahg4 its properties1 ibid4 tornadoes and water-spouts attending it1 accounted for1 #ahh4 how to avoid it1 #aig4 ,nantucket whalers best acquainted with it1 #aih4 thermometrical observations on1 #aii4 journal of a voyage across1 ibid4 ,gunpowder1 fired by electricity1 i4 #bej4 magazines of1 how to secure them from lightning1 #cge4 proposal for keeping it dry1 #cgf4 ,h4 ,habits1 effects of1 on population1 ii4 #cic4 #cid4 ,hadley's quadrant1 by whom invented1 i4 #hc1 #ie4 ,hail1 brings down electrical fire1 i4 #bib4 how formed1 ii4 #ff4 ,hamilton1 ,mr4 a friend of ,franklin's1 i4 #ed1 #hh4 ,handel1 criticism on one of his compositions1 ii4 #cde4 ,harmony1 in music1 what1 ii4 #cci4 ,harp1 effect of1 on the ancient ,scotch tunes1 ii4 #cdj4 ,harry1 ,david1 companion of ,franklin's1 i4 #gb1 #ic4 ,hats1 summer1 should be white1 ii4 #aji4 the manufacture of1 in ,new ,england1 in #agfj1 iii4 #aca4 ,health of seamen1 ,captain ,cook's method of preserving it recommended1 ii4 #aij4 ,heat1 produced by electricity and by lightning1 i4 #cch1 #cci4 better conducted by some substances than others1 ii4 #ef1 #eh4 how propagated1 #eh4 the pain it occasions1 how produced1 #gh4 in animals1 how generated1 #gi1 #abe4 in fermentation1 the same as that of the human body1 #hj4 great1 at ,philadelphia1 in #agej1 #he4 general theory of1 #abb4 ,herrings1 shoals of1 perceived by the smoothness of the sea1 ii4 #aej4 ,hints to those that would be rich1 iii4 #dff4 ,holmes1 ,robert1 brother-in-law to ,franklin1 i4 #cg1 #ga4 ,honesty1 often a very partial principle of conduct1 ii4 #dcj4 ,honours1 all descending ones absurd1 iii4 #eej4 ,hopkins1 governor1 his report of the number of inhabitants in ,rhode ,island1 iii4 #abi4 ,horse-race1 electrical1 i4 #cce4 ,hospital1 one founded by the exertions of ,franklin1 i4 #abf4 ,hospitals1 foundling1 state of in ,england and ,france1 iii4 #edd991 #edh994 ,hospitality1 a virtue of barbarians1 iii4 #cia4 ,houses1 remarks on covering them with copper1 ii4 #cah1 #cbj4 many in ,russia covered with iron plates1 #cai4 their construction in ,paris renders them little liable to fires1 #cba4 ,howe1 lord1 letter from1 to ,franklin1 iii4 #cfe4 ,franklin's answer to1 #cfg4 ,hudson's river1 winds there1 ii4 #eb1 #ei4 ,hunters1 require much land to subsist on1 ii4 #chd4 ,hurricanes1 how produced1 ii4 #g4 why cold in hot climates1 ibid4 ,hutchinson1 governor1 cause of the application for his removal1 iii4 #cbc4 account of the letters of1 #cca1 #eea4 ,hygrometer1 best substances for forming one1 ii4 #acf4 mahogany recommended for forming one1 #ada4 ,i4 ,j4 ,jackson1 ,mr4 remarks on population by1 ii4 #cib4 ,jamaica1 its vacant lands not easily made sugar lands1 iii4 #adj4 ,javelle1 his machinery for moving boats1 ii4 #agg4 ,ice will not conduct an electric shock1 i4 #bja4 ,ice-islands1 dangerous to shipping1 ii4 #agf4 ,idleness1 the heaviest tax on mankind1 ii4 #daa1 iii4 #ded4 encouraged by charity1 ii4 #dbb4 reflections on1 iii4 #dbh4 ,jefferson1 ,mr4 letter from1 on the character of ,franklin1 iii4 #ede4 ,jesuits1 hostility of the ,indians in ,america excited by1 iii4 #ie4 ,ignorance1 a frank acknowledgment of1 commendable1 i4 #cjh4 ,imports into ,pensylvania from ,britain before #agff1 iii4 #bej4 ,impress of seamen1 notes on ,judge ,foster's argument in favour of1 ii4 #dcg4 ,inarticulation in modern singing1 censured1 ii4 #cdh4 ,increase of mankind1 observations on1 ii4 #chc1 and seq4 what prevented by1 #chf1 #chg4 how promoted1 #chh1 #chi4 further observations on1 #cic4 ,indemnification1 just ground for requiring cessions from an enemy1 iii4 #ic4 ,independence1 soon acquired in ,america1 iii4 #djb4 ,indian trade and affairs1 remarks on a plan for the future management of1 iii4 #baf4 spirituous liquors the great encouragement of1 #bai4 the debts from1 must be left to honour1 #bbj4 not an ,american but a ,british interest1 #bge4 ,indians1 of ,north ,america1 a number of1 murdered1 i4 #aci4 often excited by the ,french against the ,english1 iii4 #ie4 list of fighting men in the different nations of1 #bba4 difference of their warfare from that of ,europeans1 #ajj4 remarks concerning1 #chc4 their mode of life1 #chd4 public councils1 #che4 politeness in conversation1 #chf4 rules in visiting1 #chh4 ,industry1 effects of ,franklin's1 i4 #he4 the cause of plenty1 ii4 #cif4 essential to the welfare of a people1 #daa4 relaxed by cheapness of provisions1 #dae4 a greater portion of1 in every nation1 than of idleness1 #cif1 #dbi1 iii4 #cif4 its prevalence in ,america1 iii4 #cgc4 ,inflammability of the surface of rivers1 ii4 #acj4 ,inland commerce1 instances of1 iii4 #abj4 ,innovations in language and printing1 ii4 #cea4 ,inoculation1 letter on the deaths occasioned by1 ii4 #bae4 success of1 in ,philadelphia1 #baf1 #bag4 ,insects1 utility of the study of1 ii4 #ic4 ,interrogation1 the mark of1 how to be placed1 ii4 #cef4 ,invention1 the faculty of1 its inconveniences1 i4 #cjh4 ,inventions1 new1 generally scouted1 ibid4 ,journal of a voyage1 crossing the gulph-stream1 ii4 #aii4 from ,philadelphia to ,france1 #bjj1 #bja4 from the channel to ,america1 #bjb1 et seq4 ,iron contained in the globe1 renders it a great magnet1 ii4 #aai4 query whether it existed at the creation1 #abf4 hot1 gives no bad smell1 #bdg4 yields no bad vapours1 #bdh4 rods1 erected for experiments on the clouds1 i4 #bgj4 conduct more lightning in proportion to their thickness1 #bhb4 ,islands far from a continent have little thunder1 i4 #baf4 ,italic types1 use of1 in printing1 ii4 #cee4 ,judges1 mode of their appointment in ,america1 in #agfh1 iii4 #bc4 ,junto4 ,see ,club4 ,k4 ,keimer1 a connection of ,franklin's1 some account of1 i4 #ce1 #gj1 #ic4 ,keith1 sir ,william1 ,franklin patronized by1 i4 #ci4 deceived by1 #ed4 character of1 #eg4 ,kinnersley1 ,mr4 electrical experiments by1 i4 #bfa1 et seq41 #cca4 ,kiss1 electrical1 i4 #agg4 ,kite used to draw electricity from the clouds1 i4 #ajh4 electrical1 described1 i4 #bfh4 ,knobs1 not so proper as points1 for conducting lightning1 i4 #cei4 ,l4 ,labour1 why it will long continue dear in ,america1 ii4 #che4 its advantages1 #dbg1 #dbh4 ,land1 terms on which it may be obtained in ,america1 by settlers1 iii4 #dji4 ,landing in a surf1 supposed practicable1 how1 ii4 #aed4 tried without success1 #aee4 ,language1 remarks on innovations in1 ii4 #cea1 et seq4 ,laughers1 satyrized1 iii4 #dbe4 ,law1 the old courts of1 in the colonies1 as ample in their powers1 as those in ,england1 iii4 #cjd4 ,law-expenses1 no discouragement to law-suits1 iii4 #bgj4 ,law-stamps1 a tax on the poor1 iii4 #bfi4 ,lead1 effects of1 on the human constitution1 ii4 #bai4 ,leaks in ships1 why water enters by them most rapidly at first1 ii4 #aji4 means to prevent their being fatal1 #agj4 ,leather globe1 proposed1 instead of glass1 for electrical experiments1 i4 #bfg4 ,left hand1 a petition from1 iii4 #dhc4 ,leg1 handsome and deformed1 humourous anecdote of1 iii4 #dcg4 ,legal tender of paper-money1 its advantages1 iii4 #aej4 further remarks on1 #aea4 ,lending money1 new mode of1 iii4 #dfc4 ,letter-founding effected by ,franklin in ,america1 i4 #gd4 ,leutmann1 ,j4 ,g4 extract from his vulcanus famulans1 ii4 #bih4 ,leyden bottle1 its phenomena explained1 i4 #agi4 analysed1 #aib4 experiment to prove its qualities1 #bde4 when sealed hermetically1 retains long its electricity1 #cde4 ,liberty of the press1 observations on1 ii4 #dfc4 abused1 #dfe4 of the cudgel1 should be allowed in return1 #dfg4 ,libraries1 public1 the first in ,america set on foot by ,franklin1 i4 #ii4 are now numerous in ,america1 #ajj4 advantages of1 to liberty1 #aja4 ,life and death1 observations on the doctrines of1 ii4 #bbb4 ,light1 difference between that from the sun and that from a fire in electrical experiments1 i4 #agc4 difficulties in the doctrines of1 i4 #bec4 queries concerning1 ibid4 visibility of its infinitely small particles computed1 ii4 #ij4 new theory of1 #abb4 ,lighthouse-tragedy1 an early poem of ,franklin's1 i4 #af4 ,lightning1 represented by electricity1 i4 #agf4 drawn from the clouds1 by a kite1 #bfh4 by an iron rod1 ibid4 reasons for proposing the experiment on1 #cjd4 its effects at ,newbury1 #caj4 will leave other substances1 to pass through metals1 #cab4 communicates magnetism to iron1 #cad4 objections to the hypothesis of its being collected from the sea1 #cah1 #cbc4 effects of1 on a wire at ,new ,york1 #cbf4 on ,mr4 ,west's pointed rod1 #cdj1 et seq4 how it shivers trees1 #cei4 effects of1 on conductors in ,carolina1 #cfa1 #cfb1 #cfd4 does not enter through openings1 #cfh4 should be distinguished from its light1 #cfi4 an explosion always accompanies it1 ibid4 observations on its effects on ,st4 ,bride's church1 #cgd1 #chb4 how to preserve buildings from1 #cgg4 personal danger from1 how best avoided1 #cha4 brought down by a pointed rod1 in a large quantity1 #chi4 how to prevent a stroke of1 at sea1 ii4 #age4 ,linnus1 instance of public benefit arising from his knowledge of insects1 ii4 #id4 ,london1 atmosphere of1 moister than that of the country1 ii4 #aci4 ,loyalty of ,america before the troubles1 iii4 #bcg4 ,luxury1 beneficial when not too common1 ii4 #chi4 definition of1 #cie1 #dbe4 extinguishes families1 #cie4 not to be extirpated by laws1 #dja4 further observations on1 #dbe4 ,lying-to1 the only mode yet used for stopping a vessel at sea1 ii4 #aha4 ,m4 ,maddeson1 ,mr4 death of1 lamented1 iii4 #edd994 ,magazine of powder1 how to secure it from lightning1 i4 #cge4 ,magical circle of circles1 ii4 #cbg4 picture1 i4 #aie4 square of squares1 ii4 #cbd4 ,magnetism1 animal1 detected and exposed1 i4 #aej4 given by electricity1 #bdh1 #cad4 and electricity1 affinity between1 #daj4 supposed to exist in all space1 ii4 #aai1 #abf4 conjectures as to its effects on the globe1 #abj4 enquiry how it first came to exist1 #abf4 ,mahogany1 expands and shrinks1 according to climate1 ii4 #ach4 recommended for an hygrometer1 #ada4 ,mandeville1 ,franklin's acquaintance with1 i4 #ci4 ,manners1 effects of1 on population1 ii4 #cic1 et seq4 letter to the ,busy-body on the want of1 iii4 #dcb4 ,manufactures1 produce greater proportionate returns than raw materials1 ii4 #daj4 founded in the want of land for the poor1 iii4 #ajg4 are with difficulty transplanted from one country to another1 #aba4 hardly ever lost but by foreign conquest1 #abb4 probability of their establishment in ,america1 #bfj4 want no encouragement from the government1 if a country be ripe for them1 #dje4 ,maritime observations1 ii4 #afb4 ,marly1 experiments made at1 for drawing lightning from the clouds1 i4 #dba4 ,marriage of ,franklin1 i4 #ig4 ,marriages1 where the greatest number take place1 ii4 #chc4 why frequent and early in ,america1 #che4 iii4 #aac1 #djc4 early1 letter on1 iii4 #dge4 ,maryland1 account of a whirlwind there1 ii4 #fa4 of paper bills formerly issued there1 iii4 #aee4 its conduct in a ,french war1 previous to the ,american troubles1 defended1 #bfb4 ,massachusets bay1 petition of the inhabitants of1 to the king1 iii4 #cbe4 ,matter1 enquiry into the supposed vis inerti of1 ii4 #aaj4 man can neither create nor annihilate it1 #abc4 ,mawgridge1 ,william1 member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hd4 ,maxims1 prudential1 from poor ,richard's almanack1 iii4 #dec4 ,mazeas1 abbe1 letter from1 i4 #dbj4 ,meal1 grain1 c4 manner of preserving them good for ages1 i4 #cgf4 ii4 #aij4 ,mechanics1 advantages of an early attention to1 i4 #ad4 ,mediocrity1 prevalence of1 in ,america1 iii4 #cii4 ,melody in music1 what1 ii4 #cdj4 ,men1 six1 struck down by an electric shock1 i4 #cjf4 ,mercer1 ,dr4 letter from1 on a water-spout1 ii4 #cd4 ,merchants and shopkeepers in ,america1 iii4 #cid4 ,meredith1 ,hugh1 companion of ,franklin1 short account of1 i4 #gb1 #gf1 #hi4 ,metalline rods1 secure buildings from lightning1 i4 #bha4 either prevent or conduct a stroke1 #caj4 ,metals1 melted by electricity and by lightning1 i4 #bae1 #bbi4 when melted by electricity1 stain glass1 #bcb4 polished1 spotted by electrical sparks1 #bec4 feel colder than wood1 why1 ii4 #ef4 ,meteorological observations1 ii4 #a1 #de1 #ff4 ,methusalem slept always in the open air1 iii4 #die4 ,mickle1 ,samuel1 a prognosticator of evil1 i4 #ha4 ,military manners1 effects of1 ii4 #cih1 #cii4 power of the king1 remarks on1 iii4 #cjg4 ,militia bill1 ,franklin the author of one1 i4 #acb4 particular one1 rejected by the governor of ,pensylvania1 #ajj4 iii4 #aeg4 ,mines1 method of changing air in them1 ii4 #bia4 of rock salt1 conjectures as to their formation1 #ib4 ,mists1 how supported in air1 ii4 #e4 ,modesty in disputation recommended1 ii4 #cag4 ,money1 how to make it plenty1 iii4 #dfg4 new mode of lending1 #dfh4 ,moral principles1 state of ,franklin's mind respecting1 on his entering into business1 i4 #gi4 ,morals of chess1 iii4 #dhh4 ,motion1 the communication and effects of1 ii4 #g1 #h4 of vessels at sea1 how to be stopped1 #aha4 ,mountains1 use of1 in producing rain and rivers1 i4 #bjh4 why the summits of1 are cold1 ii4 #f4 conjecture how they became so high1 #ia4 ,music1 harmony and melody of the old ,scotish1 ii4 #cch4 modern1 defects of1 #cdc4 ,musical glasses described1 ii4 #ccj4 ,n4 ,nantucket whalers best acquainted with the gulph-stream1 ii4 #aih4 ,national wealth1 data for reasoning on1 ii4 #djh4 three ways of acquiring1 #daj4 ,navigation1 difference of1 in shoal and deep water1 ii4 #aeh4 observations on1 #aie1 #aif4 from ,newfoundland to ,new ,york1 #aig4 inland1 in ,america1 iii4 #aah4 ,needle of a compass1 its polarity reversed by lightning1 i4 #bdh1 #cbe4 of wood1 circular motion of1 by electricity1 #ccb1 #cea4 ,needles1 magnetised by electricity1 i4 #adh4 and pins1 melted by electricity1 #bdi4 ,negatively electrised bodies repel each other1 i4 #bid4 ,negroes bear heat better1 and cold worse1 than whites1 ii4 #hf4 ,newbury1 effects of a stroke of lightning there1 i4 #caj4 ,new-,england1 former flourishing state of1 from the issue of paper money1 iii4 #ade4 circumstances which rendered the restriction of paper money there not injurious1 #adh4 abolition of paper currency there1 #bfc4 ,newfoundland fisheries1 more valuable than the mines of ,peru1 iii4 #deb4 ,newspaper1 one sufficient for all ,america1 in #agba1 i4 #bc4 instance of one set up by ,franklin at ,philadelphia1 #hf4 ,new-,york1 effects of lightning there1 i4 #cbf4 former flourishing state of1 from the issue of paper-money1 iii4 #adf4 sentiments of the colonists on the act for abolishing the legislature of1 #bcb4 obtained in exchange for ,surinam1 #cdi4 ,nollet1 ,abb1 ,franklin's theory of electricity opposed by1 i4 #aac4 remarks on his letters1 #dcj4 ,non-conductors of electricity1 i4 #cgh4 ,non-electric1 its property in receiving or giving electrical fire1 i4 #aic4 ,north-east storms in ,america1 account of1 ii4 #fh4 ,nurses1 office at ,paris for examining the health of1 iii4 #edi994 ,o4 ,oak best for flooring and stair-cases1 ii4 #cba4 ,ohio1 distance of its fort from the sea1 iii4 #aai1 note4 ,oil1 effect of heat on1 ii4 #d4 evaporates only in dry air1 ibid4 renders air unfit to take up water1 ibid4 curious instance of its effects on water in a lamp1 #adb4 stilling of waves by means of1 #add1 #ade1 #adh1 #aej1 #aea1 #aed4 ,old man's wish1 song so called quoted1 iii4 #edf994 ,onslow1 ,arthur1 dedication of a work to1 by ,franklin1 iii4 #ei4 ,opinions1 vulgar ones too much slighted1 ii4 #adf4 regard to established ones1 thought wisdom in a government1 iii4 #bbf4 ,orthography1 a new mode of1 ii4 #cei4 ,osborne1 a friend of ,franklin's1 i4 #ej1 #ec ,oversetting at sea1 how it occurs1 ii4 #agb4 how to be prevented1 ibid41 #agc4 ,outriggers to boats1 advantages of1 ii4 #agc4 ,p4 ,packthread1 though wet1 not a good conductor1 i4 #bjj4 ,paine's ,common ,sense1 ,franklin supposed to have contributed to1 i4 #adh4 ,paper1 how to make large sheets1 in the ,chinese way1 ii4 #cdi4 a poem1 iii4 #ebb4 ,paper-credit1 cannot be circumscribed by law1 ii4 #dah4 ,paper-money1 pamphlet written by ,franklin on1 i4 #ia4 ,american1 remarks and facts relative to1 iii4 #add4 advantages of1 over gold and silver1 iii4 #aeb4 ,papers on philosophical subjects1 i4 #afi1 et seq4 ii4 #a1 et seq4 on general politics1 ii4 #chc1 et seq4 on ,american subjects1 before the revolution1 iii4 #c1 et seq4 during the revolution1 iii4 #bbe1 et seq4 subsequent to the revolution1 iii4 #chc1 et seq4 on moral subjects1 iii4 #dba1 et seq4 ,parable against persecution1 ii4 #dej4 ,paradoxes inferred from some experiments1 i4 #bfb4 ,paralysis1 effects of electricity on1 i4 #dja4 ,parliament of ,england1 opinions in ,america1 in #agff1 concerning1 iii4 #bed4 ,parsons1 ,william1 member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hc4 ,parties1 their use in republics1 iii4 #cif4 ,party of pleasure1 electrical1 i4 #bjb4 ,passages to and from ,america1 how to be shortened1 ii4 #ach4 why shorter from1 than to1 ,america1 #ahi4 ,passengers by sea1 instructions to1 ii4 #aib4 ,patriotism1 spirit of1 catching1 iii4 #ij4 ,peace1 the victorious party may insist on adequate securities in the terms of1 iii4 #if4 ,penn1 governor1 remarks on his administration1 iii4 #ahc4 sold his legislative right in ,pensylvania1 but did not complete the bargain1 #ahi4 ,pensylvania1 ,franklin appointed clerk to the general assembly of1 i4 #ajb4 forms a plan of association for the defence of1 #ajd4 becomes a member of the general assembly of1 #aad4 aggrievances of1 iii4 #ej4 infraction of its charter1 #eb4 review of the constitution of1 #ei4 former flourishing state of1 from the issue of paper-money1 #adf4 rate of exchange there1 #aed4 letter on the militia bill of1 #aeg4 settled by ,english and ,germans1 #afb4 ,english and ,german1 its provincial languages1 ib4 pecuniary bargains between the governors and assembly of1 #afe4 taxes there1 #bdf1 #bea4 number of its inhabitants1 #bdi4 proportion of quakers1 and of ,germans1 ibid4 exports and imports1 #bej4 assembly of1 in #agff1 how composed1 #beb4 ,pensylvanian fire-places1 account of1 ii4 #bbc4 particularly described1 #bce4 effects of1 #bci4 manner of using them1 #bda4 advantages of1 #bdc4 objections to1 answered1 #bdg4 directions to bricklayers respecting1 #bea4 ,peopling of countries1 observations on1 ii4 #chc1 et seq4 ,perkins1 ,dr4 letter from1 on water-spouts1 ii4 #aa4 on shooting stars1 #cf4 ,persecution1 parable against1 ii4 #dej4 of dissenters1 letter on1 #deb4 of quakers in ,new ,england1 #ded4 ,perspirable matter1 pernicious1 if retained1 ii4 #ej4 ,perspiration1 necessary to be kept up1 in hot climates1 ii4 #hf4 difference of1 in persons when naked and clothed1 #bad4 ,petition from the colonists of ,massachusets bay1 iii4 #cbe4 of the left hand1 #dhc4 ,petty1 sir ,william1 a double vessel built by1 ii4 #agd4 ,philadelphia1 ,franklin's first arrival at1 i4 #cb4 account of a seminary there1 instituted by ,franklin1 #aaf to #abg4 state of the public bank at1 iii4 #eea994 ,phytolacca1 or poke weed1 a specific for cancers1 i4 #bfa4 ,picture1 magical1 described1 i4 #aie4 ,plain truth1 ,franklin's first political pamphlet1 iii4 #ebd4 ,plan for benefiting distant countries1 ii4 #djc4 for settling two western colonies1 iii4 #da4 for the management of ,indian affairs1 remarks on1 #baf4 for improving the condition of the free blacks1 #eai4 ,planking of ships1 improvement in1 ii4 #ahi4 ,pleurisy1 ,franklin attacked by1 i4 #ga1 #aed4 ,plus and minus electricity1 in the ,leyden bottle1 i4 #aha4 in other bodies1 #ahe4 ,pointed rods1 secure buildings from lightning1 i4 #bhc1 #cha4 experiments and observations on1 #chh4 objections to1 answered1 #cie1 #cif4 ,points1 their effects1 i4 #agj4 property of1 explained1 #bbc4 experiment showing the effect of1 on the clouds1 #bhc4 mistake respecting1 #caj4 ,poke-weed1 a cure for cancers1 i4 #bfj1 #bfa4 ,polarity given to needles by electricity1 i4 #bdh4 ,poles of the earth1 if changed1 would produce a deluge1 ii4 #abg4 ,political fragments1 ii4 #daa4 ,polypus1 a nation compared to1 ii4 #cia4 ,poor1 remarks on the management of1 ii4 #dah4 the better provided for1 the more idle1 #dbb4 ,poor ,richard1 maxims of1 iii4 #dec4 ,pope1 criticism on two of his lines1 i4 #bc4 ,population1 observations on1 ii4 #chc4 causes which diminish it1 #chf4 occasional vacancies in1 soon filled by natural generation1 #cij4 rate of its increase in ,america1 #che4 iii4 #aac1 #bej1 #bed4 why it increases faster there1 than in ,england1 iii4 #bee4 ,positions concerning national wealth1 ii4 #djh4 ,positiveness1 impropriety of1 ii4 #cah4 ,postage1 not a tax1 but payment for a service1 iii4 #bfe4 state of1 in ,america1 in #agff1 #bgi4 ,post-master1 and deputy post-master general1 ,franklin appointed to the offices of1 i4 #ajb1 #abg4 ,potts1 ,stephen1 a companion of ,franklin's1 i4 #gb1 #hd4 ,poultry1 not good at sea1 ii4 #aic4 ,powder-magazines1 how secured from lightning1 i4 #cge4 ,power to move a heavy body1 how to be augmented1 ii4 #aia4 ,pownall1 governor1 memorial of1 to the ,duke of ,cumberland1 iii4 #da4 letter from1 on an equal communication of rights to ,america1 #bdc4 constitution of the colonies by1 #bii4 ,preface to ,mr4 ,galloway's speech1 iii4 #afc4 to proceedings of the inhabitants of ,boston1 #cag4 ,presbyterianism1 established religion in ,new ,england1 ii4 #ded4 ,press1 account of the court of1 ii4 #dfc4 liberty of1 abused1 #dfe4 ,pressing of seamen1 animadversions on1 ii4 #dcg4 ,price1 ,dr4 letter from1 on ,franklin's death1 iii4 #eda4 ,priestley1 ,dr4 letter from1 on ,franklin's character1 iii4 #edg4 ,printers at ,philadelphia before ,franklin1 i4 #cf4 ,printing1 ,franklin apprenticed to the business of1 i4 #ae4 works at it as a journeymen in ,england1 #eh1 #fb4 in ,america1 #ce1 #ga4 enters on the business of1 as master1 #gh4 observations on fashions in1 ii4 #cee4 ,prison1 society for relieving the misery of1 i4 #aea4 not known among the ,indians of ,america1 iii4 #bbj4 ,privateering1 reprobated1 ii4 #dcf4 further observations on1 #ddf4 article to prevent it1 recommended in national treaties1 #ddh4 inserted in a treaty between ,america and ,prussia1 #ddi4 ,proas1 of the pacific ocean1 safety of1 ii4 #agc4 flying1 superior to any of our sailing boats1 #agf4 ,produce of the inland parts of ,america1 iii4 #aai4 ,products of ,america1 do not interfere with those of ,britain1 iii4 #abd4 ,prose-writing1 method of acquiring excellence in1 i4 #ah4 ,protest against ,franklin's appointment as colonial agent1 remarks on1 iii4 #bjc4 ,provisions1 cheapness of1 encourages idleness1 ii4 #dae4 ,prussian edict1 assuming claims over ,britain1 iii4 #caa4 ,public services and functions of ,franklin1 i4 #abe4 spirit1 manifest in ,england1 iii4 #ia4 different opinion respecting it expressed1 #cge4 ,punctuality of ,america in the payment of public debts1 iii4 #cgc4 ,puckridge1 ,mr4 inventor of musical glasses1 i4 #acf4 ,q4 ,quaker-lady1 good advice of one to ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #db4 ,quakers1 persecution of1 in ,new ,england1 ii4 #ded4 proportion of1 in ,pensylvania1 iii4 #bdi4 ,quebec1 remarks on the enlargement of the province of1 iii4 #bj1 note4 ,queries concerning light1 i4 #beh4 proposed at the ,junto club1 ii4 #cff4 from ,mr4 ,strahan1 on the ,american disputes1 iii4 #bhg4 ,questions discussed by the ,junto club1 ii4 #cfi4 ,r4 ,rain1 how produced1 i4 #bjg4 generally brings down electricity1 #bib4 why never salt1 ii4 #cb4 different quantities of1 falling at different heights1 #acc4 ,ralph1 ,james1 a friend of ,franklin's1 i4 #ej1 #ec1 #ed1 #eg1 #fj4 ,rarefaction of the air1 why greater in the upper regions1 ii4 #f4 ,read1 maiden name of ,franklin's wife1 i4 #cc1 #cg1 #di1 #ed1 #ei1 #gj1 #if4 ,reading1 ,franklin's early passion for1 i4 #ae1 #af4 how best taught1 ii4 #cgb4 advice to youth respecting1 #cgh4 ,recluse1 a ,roman ,catholic one1 in ,london1 i4 #fe4 ,red and green1 relation between the colours of1 ii4 #cda4 ,regimen1 sudden alterations of1 not prejudicial1 i4 #di4 ,religious sect1 new one1 intended establishment of1 i4 #dh4 ,repellency1 electrical1 how destroyed1 i4 #agb4 ,representation1 ,american1 in the ,british parliament1 thoughts on1 iii4 #cg1 #bdc4 ,repulsion1 electrical1 the doctrine of1 doubted1 i4 #ccc4 considerations in support of1 #cdi4 ,revelation1 doubted by ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #gi4 ,rhode-,island1 purchased for a pair of spectacles1 iii4 #ba4 its population at three periods1 iii4 #abi4 ,rich1 hints to those that would be1 iii4 #dff4 ,ridicule1 delight of the prince of ,cond in1 iii4 #dbd4 ,rivers1 from the ,andes1 how formed1 i4 #bji4 motion of the tides in1 explained1 ii4 #if1 #ajb4 do not run into the sea1 #aje4 evaporate before they reach the sea1 #ajf4 inflammability of the surface of1 #acj4 ,rods1 utility of long pointed ones1 to secure buildings from lightning1 i4 #chh4 ,see farther4 ,iron4 ,lightning4 ,metalline4 ,rome1 causes of its decline enquired into1 ii4 #cih4 political government of its provinces1 iii4 #acf4 ,rooms1 warm1 advantages of1 ii4 #bdi4 do not give colds1 ibid4 ,roots1 edible1 might be dried and preserved for sea-store1 ii4 #aij4 ,rosin1 when fluid1 will conduct electricity1 i4 #bef4 ,rousseau1 his opinion of tunes in parts1 ii4 #cdb4 ,rowing of boats1 ,chinese method of1 ii4 #agg4 ,rowley1 ,dr4 ,franklin's obligations to1 iii4 #eee994 ,s4 ,sailing1 observations on1 ii4 #afc4 ,sails1 proposed improvements in1 ii4 #afd1 #aff4 ,saint ,bride's church1 stroke of lightning on1 i4 #cgd4 ,salt1 dry1 will not conduct electricity1 i4 #beh4 rock1 conjectures as to its origin1 ii4 #ia4 ,saltness of the sea-water considered1 ib4 ,savage1 ,john1 a companion of ,franklin's1 i4 #gb4 ,savages of ,north ,america1 remarks on1 iii4 #chc1 et seq4 ,school1 sketch of one1 for ,philadelphia1 ii4 #cgj4 ,scotch tunes1 harmony of1 and melody1 ii4 #cch4 ,screaming1 a defect in modern tunes1 ii4 #cde4 ,scull1 ,nicholas1 member of the ,junto club1 i4 #hc4 ,sea1 electrical qualities of its component parts1 i4 #bje4 opinion1 that it is the source of lightning1 considered1 #bfi1 #cba1 #cbb4 supposed cause of its luminous appearance1 ii4 #hh4 from what cause1 salt1 #ia4 has formerly covered the mountains1 ib4 ,sea-coal1 has a vegetable origin1 ii4 #abh4 prejudices against the use of1 at ,paris1 #bgh4 ,sea-water1 soon loses its luminous quality1 i4 #bfi4 considerations on the distillation of1 ii4 #ajc4 how to quench thirst with1 #ajd4 thermometrical observation on1 #aii1 et seq4 ,security1 a just ground to demand cessions from an enemy1 iii4 #ic4 ,separation of the colonies from ,britain1 probability of1 in #agge1 iii4 #cef4 ,servants in ,england1 the most barren parts of the people1 ii4 #cie4 ,settlements1 new1 in ,america1 letter concerning1 iii4 #dji4 ,settlers of ,british colonies1 their rights1 iii4 #bii4 ,sheep1 a whole flock killed by lightning1 i4 #dae4 ,ships1 abandoned at sea1 often saved1 ii4 #afi4 may be nicely balanced1 #agj4 accidents to1 at sea1 how guarded against1 #agb4 ,shirley1 governor1 letters to1 on the taxation of the colonies1 iii4 #cj4 on ,american representation in the ,british parliament1 #cg4 ,shooting-stars1 letter on1 ii4 #cf4 ,shop-keepers in ,america1 iii4 #cid4 ,sides of vessels1 the best construction of1 ii4 #agb4 ,silver cann1 experiment with1 i4 #cjg4 vessels1 not so easily handled as glass1 when filled with hot liquors1 ii4 #eg4 ,slavery1 society for the abolition of1 i4 #aea4 address to the public on the abolition of1 iii4 #eag4 ,slaves1 not profitable labourers1 ii4 #chf4 diminish population1 ii4 #chg4 ,slave-trade1 sentiment of a ,french moralist respecting1 ii4 #aie4 parody on the arguments in favour of1 #dej4 ,sliding-plates for smoky chimnies described1 ii4 #bhg4 ,slitting-mills in ,america1 iii4 #bgj4 ,small1 ,mr4 ,alexander1 letter from1 i4 #cgd4 ,smell of electricity1 how produced1 i4 #bdd4 ,smoke1 principle by which it ascends1 ii4 #beg4 stove that consumes it1 #bif4 the burning of1 useful in hot-houses1 #caf4 ,smoky chimnies1 observation on the causes and cure of1 ii4 #bef4 remedy for1 if by want of air1 #bfa1 #bfb4 if by too large openings in the room1 #bff1 #bfh4 if by too short a funnel1 #bfi4 if by overpowering each other1 #bgj1 #bga4 if by being overtopped1 #bga1 #bgb4 if by improper situation of a door1 #bgc4 if by smoke drawn down their funnels1 #bgd1 #bge4 if by strong winds1 #bge1 #bgf4 difficult sometimes to discover the cause of1 #bhb4 ,smuggling1 reflections on1 ii4 #dcj4 encouragement of1 not honest1 #dcb4 ,snow1 singular instance of its giving electricity1 i4 #cgc4 ,soap-boiler1 part of ,franklin's early life devoted to the business of1 i4 #aj1 #ad4 ,societies1 of which ,franklin was president1 i4 #aea4 learned1 of which he was a member1 #ace4 ,socrates1 his mode of disputation1 i4 #ba4 ,songs1 ancient1 give more pleasure than modern1 ii4 #cdb4 modern1 composed of all the defects of speech1 #cdd4 ,soul1 argument against the annihilation of1 iii4 #edh994 ,sound1 best mediums for conveying1 ii4 #cce4 observations on1 #ccf4 queries concerning1 #ccg4 ,sounds just past1 we have a perfect idea of their pitch1 ii4 #cdj4 ,soup-dishes at sea1 how to be made more convenient1 ii4 #aie4 ,spain1 what has thinned its population1 ii4 #cij4 ,specific weight1 what1 ii4 #bbf4 ,spectacles1 double1 advantages of1 iii4 #edd991 #eea994 ,speech1 at ,algiers1 on slavery and piracy1 ii4 #dej4 of ,mr4 ,galloway1 preface to1 iii4 #afc4 last of ,franklin1 on the federal constitution1 #daf4 ,spelling1 a new mode of1 recommended1 ii4 #cei4 ,spheres1 electric1 commodious ones1 i4 #agh4 ,spider1 artificial1 described1 i4 #agg4 ,spirits1 fired without heating1 i4 #bad1 #bde4 linen wetted with1 cooling in inflammations1 ii4 #hg4 should always be taken to sea in bottles1 #age4 ,spots in the sun1 how formed1 i4 #bfj4 ,squares1 magical square of1 ii4 #cbd4 ,staffordshire chimney1 description of1 ii4 #bhe4 ,stamp-act in ,america stigmatized1 iii4 #bbh4 letter on the repeal of1 iii4 #bci4 examination of ,franklin on1 #bde4 ,stars4 ,see ,shooting4 ,state1 internal1 of ,america1 iii4 #bia4 ,storms1 causes of1 ii4 #fe4 ,stove1 ,dutch1 its advantages and defects1 ii4 #bcc4 ,german1 ditto1 #bcd4 to draw downwards1 by ,j4 ,g4 ,leutmann1 #bih4 for burning pit-coal and consuming its smoke1 #cja1 #cjd1 #cjh4 ,strata of the earth1 letter on1 ii4 #aaf4 ,strahan1 ,mr4 queries by1 on ,american politics1 iii4 #bhg4 answer to the queries1 #bij4 letter to1 disclaiming his friendship1 iii4 #ced4 ,stuber1 ,dr4 continuator of ,franklin's life1 i4 #ih4 ,studies of trifles1 should be moderate1 ii4 #ie4 ,stuttering1 one of the affected beauties of modern tunes1 ii4 #bde4 ,sugar1 cruelties exercised in producing it1 ii4 #aif4 ,sulphur globe1 its electricity different from that of the glass globe1 i4 #bfe4 ,sun1 supplies vapour with fire1 i4 #bjg4 why not wasted by expense of light1 #bei4 effect of its rays on different coloured clothes1 ii4 #ajh4 light of1 proposed to be used instead of candlelight1 iii4 #dgj1 #dgc4 discovered to give light as soon as it rises1 #dga4 ,surfaces of glass1 different state of its opposite ones1 when electrised1 i4 #aia1 #bch4 ,swimming1 skill of ,franklin in1 i4 #ff4 art of1 how to be acquired1 ii4 #bjf how a person unacquainted with it may avoid sinking1 #bjh4 a delightful and wholesome exercise1 ii4 #bji1 #baa4 advantage of1 to soldiers1 #baj4 inventions to improve it1 ibid4 #bab4 medical effects of1 ibid4 ,t4 ,tariffs1 not easily settled in ,indian trade1 iii4 #bah4 ,tautology1 an affected beauty of modern songs1 ii4 #cde4 ,taxation1 ,american1 letters to governor ,shirley on1 iii4 #cj4 ,american1 ,dr4 ,franklin's examination on1 iii4 #bdf1 #bef4 internal and external1 distinguished1 #bei4 on importation of goods and consumption1 difference between1 #bff4 ,tea-act1 the duty on1 in ,america1 how considered there1 iii4 #bfa1 #cag1 #cai4 characterized by ,mr4 ,burke1 #cai1 note4 ,teach1 or ,blackbeard1 name of a ballad written by ,franklin in his youth1 i4 #af4 ,thanks of the assembly of ,pensylvania to ,franklin1 iii4 #bad4 ,thanksgiving-days appointed in ,new ,england instead of fasts1 iii4 #cib4 ,theory of the earth1 ii4 #aag4 of light and heat1 #abb4 ,thermometer1 not cooled by blowing on1 when dry1 ii4 #hg4 electrical1 described1 and experiments with1 ii4 #ccf4 ,thermometrical observations on the gulph-stream1 ii4 #aii4 on the warmth of sea-water1 #bjj4 ,thirst1 may be relieved by sea-water1 how1 ii4 #aje4 ,thunder and lightning1 how caused1 i4 #bji4 seldom heard far from land1 #baf4 comparatively little at ,bermuda1 ibid4 defined1 #cgh4 ,thunder-gusts1 what1 i4 #bjc4 hypothesis to explain them1 #bjc1 et seq4 ,tides in rivers1 motion of1 explained1 ii4 #if1 #ajb4 ,time1 occasional fragments of1 how to be collected1 ii4 #dab4 is money to a tradesman1 iii4 #dfc4 ,toads live long without nourishment1 ii4 #bbc4 ,toleration in ,old and ,new ,england compared1 ii4 #deg4 ,torpedo1 how to determine its electricity1 i4 #djh1 #dji4 ,tourmalin1 its singular electrical properties1 i4 #cgj4 experiments on it1 #cga1 #cgb4 ,trade1 pleasure attending the first earnings in1 i4 #ha4 should be under no restrictions1 ii4 #dae4 exchanges in1 may be advantageous to each party1 #dah4 inland carriage no obstruction1 to1 iii4 #aaf4 great rivers in ,america1 favourable to1 #aah4 bills of credit1 in lieu of money1 the best medium of1 #aef4 will find and make its own rates1 #bai4 ,tradesman1 advice to a young one1 iii4 #dfc4 ,transportation of felons to ,america1 highly disagreeable to the inhabitants there1 iii4 #bce4 ,treaty between ,america and ,prussia1 humane article of1 ii4 #ddi4 ,treasures1 hidden1 search after1 ridiculed1 iii4 #dej4 ,trees1 dangerous to be under1 in thunder-storms1 i4 #bac4 the shivering of1 by lightning1 explained1 #cei4 why cool in the sun1 ii4 #hg4 ,tubes of glass1 electrical1 manner of rubbing1 i4 #agh4 lined with a non-electric1 experiment with1 #bdj4 exhausted1 electric fire moves freely in1 #bda4 ,tunes1 ancient ,scotch1 why give general pleasure1 ii4 #cch4 composed to the wire-harp1 #cda4 in parts1 ,rousseau's opinion of1 #cdb4 modern1 absurdities of1 #cdd1 et seq4 ,turkey killed by electricity1 i4 #bii4 ,turks1 ceremony observed by1 in visiting1 iii4 #dcf4 ,v4 ,u4 ,vacuum1 ,torricellian1 experiment with1 i4 #bia4 electrical experiment in1 #cag4 ,vapour1 electrical experiment on1 i4 #cdc4 ,vapours from moist hay1 c4 easily fired by lightning1 i4 #bae4 cause of their rising considered1 ii4 #df1 #di4 ,vanity1 observation on1 i4 #b4 ,varnish1 dry1 burnt by electric sparks1 i4 #aii4 ,vattel's ,law of ,nations1 greatly consulted by the ,american congress1 iii4 #cfj4 ,vegetable diet1 observed by ,franklin1 i4 #bj4 abandoned by ,franklin1 why1 #dg4 ,vegetation1 effects of1 on noxious air1 ii4 #abi4 ,velocity of the electric fire1 i4 #cai4 ,virtue in private life exemplified1 iii4 #dbg4 ,vernon1 ,mr4 reposes a trust in ,franklin1 which he violates1 i4 #dd4 ,vis inerti of matter1 observations on1 ii4 #aaj4 ,visits1 unseasonable and importunate1 letter on1 iii4 #dcb4 ,unintelligibleness1 a fault of modern singing1 ii4 #cde4 ,union1 ,albany plan of4 ,see ,albany4 ,union of ,america with ,britain1 letter on1 iii4 #bci4 ,united states of ,america1 nature of the congress of1 iii4 #eej994 ,voyage1 from ,boston to ,new ,york1 i4 #bg4 from ,new ,york to ,philadelphia1 #bh4 from ,newfoundland to ,new ,york1 remarks on1 ii4 #aig4 crossing the gulph stream1 journal of1 #aii4 from ,philadelphia to ,france1 #bjj1 #bja4 from the channel to ,america1 #bjb4 to benefit distant countries1 proposed1 #djc4 ,vulgar opinions1 too much slighted1 ii4 #adf4 ,w4 ,waggons1 number of1 supplied by ,franklin1 on a military emergency1 i4 #aca4 ,war1 civil1 whether it strengthens a country considered1 ii4 #cii4 observations on1 #dce4 laws of1 gradually humanized1 ib4 humane article respecting1 in a treaty between ,prussia and ,america1 ii4 #ddi4 ,french1 of #ageg1 its origin1 iii4 #bgd4 ,warm rooms do not make people tender1 or give colds1 ii4 #bdi4 ,washington1 early military talents of1 i4 #acj4 ,franklin's bequest to1 #afd4 ,water1 a perfect conductor of electricity1 i4 #bja4 strongly electrified1 rises in vapour1 #bjd4 particles of1 in rising1 are attached to particles of air1 #bje4 and air1 attract each other1 #bjf4 exploded like gunpowder1 by electricity1 #ceh4 expansion of1 when reduced to vapour1 ib4 saturated with salt1 precipitates the overplus1 ii4 #b4 will dissolve in air1 ib4 expands when boiling1 ib4 how supported in air1 #de4 bubbles on the surface of1 hypothesis respecting1 #dh4 agitated1 does not produce heat1 #di1 #if4 supposed originally all salt1 #ia4 fresh1 produce of distillation only1 ib4 curious effects of oil on1 #adb4 ,water-casks1 how to dispose of1 in leaky vessels1 ii4 #agj4 ,water-spouts1 observations on1 ii4 #aa4 whether they descend or ascend1 #ad1 #bc1 #ch4 various appearances of1 #af4 winds blow from all points towards them1 #ba4 are whirlwinds at sea1 ib4 effect of one on the coast of ,guinea1 #cc4 account of one at ,antigua1 #cd4 various instances of1 #ch4 ,mr4 ,colden's observations on1 #ec4 ,watson1 ,mr4 ,william1 letter by1 on thunder-clouds1 i4 #dbg4 ,waves1 stilled by oil1 ii4 #add1 #ade1 #adh4 greasy water1 #adf4 ,wax1 when fluid will conduct electricity1 i4 #bef4 may be electrised positively and negatively1 #bia4 ,wealth1 way to1 iii4 #dec4 national1 positions to be examined concerning1 ii4 #djh4 but three ways of acquiring it1 #daj4 ,webb1 ,george1 a companion of ,franklin's1 i4 #gb1 #hd1 #hf4 ,wedderburn1 ,mr4 remarks on his treatment of ,franklin before the privy council1 iii4 #ccj1 #ccb1 notes2 #eej4 ,west1 ,mr4 his conductor struck by lightning1 i4 #cdj4 ,western colonies1 plan for settling them1 iii4 #da4 ,whatley1 ,mr4 four letters to1 iii4 #edc994 ,wheels1 electrical1 described1 i4 #aif4 ,whirlwinds1 how formed1 ii4 #aj4 observations on1 #bj4 a remarkable one at ,rome1 #bd4 account of one in ,maryland1 #fa4 ,whistle1 a story1 iii4 #dhj4 ,white1 fittest colour for clothes in hot climates1 ii4 #aji4 ,will1 extracts from ,franklin's1 i4 #aee4 ,wilson1 ,mr4 draws electricity from the clouds1 i4 #dbi4 ,wind generated by fermentation1 ii4 #ei4 ,winds explained1 ii4 #h1 #i1 #dh4 the explanation objected to1 #ej1 #ea4 observations on1 by ,mr4 ,colden1 #eb4 whether confined to1 or generated in1 clouds1 #eg4 raise the surface of the sea above its level1 #ahh4 effect of1 on sound1 #ccg4 ,winters1 hard1 causes of1 ii4 #fh4 ,winthrop1 professor1 letters from1 i4 #cgc1 #chb4 ,wire conducts a great stroke of lightning1 though destroyed itself1 i4 #bhb4 ,wolfe1 general1 i4 #acf4 ,women of ,paris1 singular saying respecting1 as mothers1 iii4 #edh994 ,wood1 dry1 will not conduct electricity1 i4 #agb4 why does not feel so cold as metals1 ii4 #ef4 ,woods1 not unhealthy to inhabit1 ii4 #acj4 ,woollen1 why warmer than linen1 ii4 #eg1 #ha4 ,words1 to modern songs1 only a pretence for singing1 ii4 #cdh4 ,wygate1 an acquaintance of ,franklin's1 i4 #ff4 ,wyndham1 sir ,william1 applies to ,franklin to teach his sons swimming1 i4 #fi4 ,,transcriber',s ,,note ,italic text is denoted by underscores4 ,obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources4 ,for consistency and clarity1 the pound abbreviation 'l4' has been italicized1 so for example '#abc1cbal4' has been replaced by '#abc1cbal4' in the etext4 ,for consistency1 the date and salutation at the beginning of each letter1 and the closing and name at the end of each letter1 have been put on separate lines 7they were sometimes placed on the same line in the original printed text74 ,a ',list of the ,plates' has been created and added in front of the ,errata4 ,for consistency1 all occurrences of ',abbe' have been replaced by ',abb'4 ,one occurrence of the oe ligature replaced by oe 7l'oeuvre74 ,text omitted by the editor may be indicated by '999999'1 '99999999' or '----'4 ,all the changes noted in the ,errata 7pg xiv7 have been applied to the text4 ,except for those changes noted below1 misspelling in the text1 and inconsistent or archaic usage1 have been retained4 ,for example1 compleat2 cieling2 inclose2 watry2 spunge2 negociate2 ,pensylvania2 ,massachussets2 newspaper1 news-paper2 farther1 further4 ,in addition3 ,pg v4 'works af' replaced by 'works of'4 ,pg vi4 'side the' replaced by 'side of the'4 ,pg xiv4 'anology' replaced by 'analogy'4 ,pg xiv4 ,errata3 '#ab #a3' replaced by '#bj #a3'4 ,pg xiv4 ,errata3 '#bi #c3' replaced by '#bh #c3'4 ,pg xiv4 ,errata3 '#dj #ai3' replaced by '#ej #ai3'4 ,pg #e4 'frandfather' replaced by 'grandfather'4 ,pg #dh4 'oponent' replaced by 'opponent'4 ,pg #gd4 'tolera-manner' replaced by 'tolerable manner'4 ,pg #ajb4 'over the the lives' replaced by 'over the lives'4 ,pg #aaj4 ',mary-la-ville' replaced by ',marly-la-ville'4 ,pg #aaj4 'with a whom' replaced by 'with whom'4 ,pg #aca4 'a juncion with' replaced by 'a junction with'4 ,pg #acb4 'of governtment' replaced by 'of government'4 ,pg #acc4 'was appehensive' replaced by 'was apprehensive'4 ,pg #aci4 'in the goal' replaced by 'in the gaol'4 ,pg #adj4 ',a num-of' replaced by ',a number of'4 ,pg #adb4 'be learned' replaced by 'he learned'4 ,pg #add4 'stampt-act' replaced by 'stamp-act'4 ,pg #agj4 'in crouds' replaced by 'in crowds'4 ,pg #agc4 'o bright' replaced by 'of a bright'4 ,pg #bbb4 'with mose ease' replaced by 'with more ease'4 ,pg #bdb4 'yerhaps' replaced by 'perhaps'4 ,pg #bdd4 'does nor burn' replaced by 'does not burn'4 ,pg #bfc4 'powdered sulpur' replaced by 'powdered sulphur'4 ,pg #cje4 'satisfation' replaced by 'satisfaction'4 ,pg #caj4 'appear to to me' replaced by 'appear to me'4 ,pg #cah4 ,the 99 99 99 asterisks denote text omitted by the ,editor4 ,pg #cef4 'and by electricty' replaced by 'and by electricity'4 ,pg #ceh4 'above a a quarter' replaced by 'above a quarter'4 ,pg #djd4 'most of of the' replaced by 'most of the'4 ,pg #djf4 'silk handkercheif' replaced by 'silk handkerchief'4 ,pg #dah4 'and bottless' replaced by 'and bottles'4 ,pg #dbd4 ' celle que' replaced by ' celle que'4 ,pg #dbd4 'piqures' replaced by 'piqres'4 ,pg #dbf4 'vennement' replaced by 'vnement'4 ,pg #ddj4 'and so dicharge' replaced by 'and so discharge'4 ,index ,pg #d;i4 ',animalcnles' replaced by ',animalcules'4 ,index ,pg #bi;i4 'relation batween' replaced by 'relation between'4 ,the ,index covers all three volumes and was originally printed at the end of ,volume #a only4 ,it has been copied to the end of ,volume #b and #c as a convenience for the reader4 ,the ,index had no page numbers in the original text2 page numbers from #a;i to #cf;i have been added for completeness4 ,for clarity1 some volume identifiers 7i4 or ii4 or iii47 have been added1 or removed1 in the index4 ,only references within this volume have been hyperlinked4 ,the ,index has some references to page numbers with a 991 eg #eea994 ,these are valid references2 the book printer inserted pages #edc99-eef99 between pages #edb and #edc in ,vol iii4