212 ESSAYS AND OBSERVATIONS 



flame continued upon the end of the long 

 rod, though I took hold of it any where 

 at pleafure above the glaffes, till I moved 

 my hand or finger along, within a few 

 inches of the flame ; then it was attradled 

 by my hand, and vanifhed. 



I went from the Calton-hill to the 

 Caflle-hill, at the other end of the town j 

 and, in pafTmg through the ftreets, no 

 fire appeared upon either of the rods: 

 But almoft immediately when I got clear 

 of the houfes, upon the open hill, the 

 point of the longer iron-rod took fire. In 

 the dark, I had loft the tube belonging to 

 the fliorter rod ; and the point of it did 

 not catch fire when the longer one was 

 kindled. Perhaps I did not wait long e- 

 nough far a proper trial j for I foon touch- 

 ed the flame upon the long rod with the 

 fliarp point of the Ihort one, and then it 

 :aUo took flame and continued burning, as 

 before, without any further dependence 

 upon the longer one. 



1 held the fliorter rod by the fharp 

 end, and approached the blunt end of it 



to 



