[ h6 ] 



the mutual repulfion of the bodies, in a ftate of ele6lricity oppofite 

 to that of the bodies. But * it is afcertained experimentally, that the 

 air furrounding any eleflrified body acquires the fame eledlricity 

 which had been poflefled by the body, and retains it even after 

 the removal of the body. This muft be fuppofed, agreeably to 

 the known laws of eledlricity, to be communicated by the alter- 

 nate attradlion and repulfion of the adjacent particles of air. 

 Each particle muft be firft attradted towards the body, and, 

 when by contadl it has acquired the eledlricity of the body, re- 

 pelled from it. Inftead therefore of a permanent ftate of contrary 

 eledlricity conftituting thefe fuppofed atmofpheres, each adjacent 

 fpace muft be occupied by particles, fome of which are attradled 

 and others repelled. The time requifite for thus reducing the 

 eledlricity of the body to an equilibrium with that of the fur- 

 rounding air, is fufficient for explaining the continuance of the 

 eledlricity of the bodies, without the aid of the fecond propofition ; 

 and the firft propofition is deduced only from a confideration of 

 bodies in a folid ftate. 



Possibly a more diftindl application of a principle, already in 

 fome degree adopted both by Dodlor Prieftley and Mr Cavallo, 

 may remove all the difficu ties of this inquiry. At leaft I will 

 hope, that it may lead to fuch a confideration of the queftion, as 

 may fubjedl the merits (;f the theory itfeif to a fair an.l decifive 



difcuffion. 



• Cavallo's Complete Treatife on Eledriclty, Vol. I. p. 326. 



