PRODUCflON Of ACItt AND ALKALI FROM WATER. £59 



alkalis, earths, and metals. In the experiment, where pure h'lrogen, al- 

 water is exposed to the galvanic influence, separated into &n j'jj^, '* 

 two portions by some moist conductor, the oxigen is pre- 

 sented iri its nascent form, and an acid is produced, from 

 that substance combining with the water ; and at the 

 point where the hidrogen is presented, an alkali is formed, 

 by a similar fixation of hidrogen. In the pretended de« 

 composition of potash, the alkali combines with an extra 

 dose of hidrogen, forming the metallic globulus. And 

 when a metal was said to be produced from ammonia, form- 

 ing an alloy with potassium remarkable for its little specific 

 gravity, the effect could only be attributed to that metal 

 combining with a still greater portion of hidrogen. 



The electrical doctrine of Mr. Davy is so replete with Mr Davy's 



truth and consistency* that I am every day more pleased doctrine true 



... . ,, iL : . , , . . and consistent, 



with it. It would seem, that we nave only two kinds of ui.lvtwokind* 



simple matter ; one something like oxigen, possessing the of sim P le mat * 

 effects of negative electricity in the greatest degree; the 

 other a general inflammable substance Of the nature of hi- 

 drogen, endowed with positive electricity: that each of 

 these bodies has a constant repulsion between their homo- 

 geneous particles, and hence is permanently elastic ; that 

 equal portious of these bodies combined would constituted 

 body of the greatest possible density, from the attraction 

 being at a maximum : and that, as oue of them predomi- 

 nates, the attraction becomes less. Hence it appears, that n ^j a 

 the particles of simple matter are repellent of each other, s ' ni ple body, 

 and that no solid body can be considered a simple body. 



A friend of mine intends soon to favour you with a more 

 extensive essay on thi* subject. 



If you think the above observations will at all interest 



the readers of your work, their insertion in your next will 



much oblige, 



Sir, 



Your humble servant, 



Derby, June 23, CHARLES SYLVESTER. 



1809. 



This letter came too late for insertion last month. It 

 seems proper to notice, that Mr. Davy states the decompo* 



S 2 lition 





