Propagation of the Electric Force. 153 



force, and its recession on each return to a state of equilibrium produces what 

 may be called an oscillation in the ether, the theory may be otherwise stated 

 thus : — the mass of oscillating ether which surrounds the particles constitutes the 

 quantity, while the rapidity of the oscillations constitutes the intensity of an 

 electric current. 



The late experiments of Dr. Faraday upon induction (Eleventh Series) shew- 

 ing that an insulated body (the particles of bodies may be presumed to be such) 

 cannot receive an absolute charge of electricity, but only an inductive charge, 

 afford a strong argument in favour of my views. 



The theory proposed in this paper, and deduced from the experiments of 

 Sir H. Davy, given in his Bakerian Lectures, is an extension of the views 

 therein developed, reconciles the contact with the chemical theory, and re- 

 duces to the laws of statical electricity all the phenomena of electricity in 

 motion. I will now endeavour to show how the law of the definite nature of 

 electro-chemical decomposition, so beautifully developed by Dr. Faraday, follows 

 as a consequence from this theory. Were the particles of all bodies endued with 

 the same quantity of electricity, and of the same density, it is evident from the 

 laws of statical electricity, that no one body could have an attraction or repulsion 

 for another ; consequently, it is an evident fact, that the quantity and density of 

 the electric ether varies in different bodies ; and as, from the theory above stated, 

 electricity never leaves the particles, but merely (to use the words of statical 

 electricity) accumulates upon the surface, and returns, it follows that the electri- 

 cal states of the particles of bodies are constant and unalterable, and therefore 

 it is obvious that the law discovered by Dr. Faraday follows as a consequence 

 from this hypothesis, which is at once clear and simple, which includes all the 

 phenomena, and is but a reference of the laws of statical electricity to the par- 

 ticles of bodies in place of their masses. 



VOL. XIX. 



