23* On the Naiuri cf Galvanlfmy Ek^ricity, Heat, Ss'A ' 



-ij. The power of attraction by which bodies cohere. 



2. The quantity of caloric with which the fubftance is combined. 



3. The greater or lefs preflure of the atraofpherc. 



The means by which a folid body may be converted into a liquid are therefore 



1. A combination with a new and fufficient quantity of caloric. 



2. An union with another body already liquid. 

 A liquid is changed into the ftate of gas 



I.' By being combined with a qaantity of caloric fufEcient to equipolfe the preflure of the 

 atmofphere. 



2. If the preflure of the atmofphere be either fufliclcntly diminiflied or totally removed. 



According to this fyftem, therefore, there exifts no difference between gafeous bodies 

 but from the difference of their refpeftive bafes; the caloric is common to all. Why, 

 therefore, does oxigen air, when united during combuftion with charcoal, give out fire 

 with flame, whilft other gafes, even when inftantly changed into a folid, give out only 

 heat ? Or why is one portion of water from the pile wholly converted into oxigen gas ? 

 The minus fide certainly cannot form a gasby abftrafting fire, even though it fhould be in 

 the ftate of eleftricity. 



It appears, therefore, that the theory of M. Lavoifier is defe£live, in as far as it proves 

 neither the decomppfition of water, nor the nature of permanently elaftic fluids. I could 

 tring forvirard many experiments in a newr form to prove the fallacy of the fyftem of 

 M. Lavoifier, but we have already fulBcient fa£ts before us to demonftrate upon what a 

 flight foundation it refls. 



The explanation of moft of the phenomena of chemiilry Is involved in this difcuflion. 

 The nature of the atmofphere and of vapours, combuftion and all the appearances of light, 

 heat and eleftricity, chemical folution, decompofition, &c. in (hort, the whole fyftem of 

 M. Lavoifier totters, fince we know that water is not compofed of the bafcs of oxigen and 

 hidrogen air. 



As I mean tliis only as a notice, I fhall not infift further at prefent on the fubjeft. As I 

 mean to purfue it fyftematically and by experiment, I hope I fhall not intrude too much 

 upon you by occafionally fubmitting to you the refults of my inveftlgations. 

 I have the honour to be 



Your obedient humble fervant, 



AN EXPERIMENTALIST. 

 March 7, 1 80 1. 



P. S. I find that heat is eafily decompofed, and that the Galvanic influence may be de- 

 tached from a very great variety of fubftances. * 



• I am forry to be under the neceflity of apologizing to this Correfpondent for the hte appearance of his 

 letter, which was occafioned by its having been placed by miftake among fonie other papers of a diflferent 

 nature,- -N. 



A ' ' Notkes 



