to account for the VhcBiiomena of Electricity. 23 jt 



Amidst the great variety of hypotheses that have been pro- 

 posed to ex])laiti the phreuomena of electricity, two only ar« 

 deserving of particular attention. In that which bears the 

 name of Franklin, it is conceived that the supposition of one 

 fluid oiilv is necessary : in the other, two are presumed to ope- 

 rate. 



Previously to the consideration of Franklin's hypothesis, it will 

 be necessarv to state the main facts, upon which its principles 

 are founded. 



PhcEJiomena. 



1, Some bodies after certain processes, as friction, heating, 

 &c. are found to be possessed oi peculiar properties. By cer- 

 tain management the power which occasions these pro])erties 

 may be transferred to di:-tant matter. In its passage it often 

 becomes sensible to all the external senses. 



2. This power when acting upon bodies at liberty of motion 

 ■will cause them to approach or recede from each other accord- 

 ing to circumstances. 



S. Bodies differ from each other in their habitudes with regard 

 to tills power ; some possessing as a primary property the power 

 of producing the peculiar effects above mentioned. Others 

 possess it as a secondary projjerty, derived by some action ex- 

 erted on them bv the tbimer class. 



These two classes of bodies differentlv affect the motions of 

 the power. The former class offers considerable resistance : the 

 latter, none that can be appreciated. 



4. This pecuHar power is capable of producing its effects in 

 different degrees of intensity. In a low degree it produces the 

 effects (as 2) : in a high degree, it is attended with heat and 

 light, and occasions violent effects on the animal oeconomy. 



The principles brouglit forward by Dr. Franklin in explana- 

 tion of these phsenoiuena are ))artly hypothetical and partly 

 theoretical. For the sake of distinction, I will in the following 

 statement apply the term assumed to the principles of the for- 

 mer kind, and inferred to those of the latter : and those which 

 are of a mixed nature, theoretical in their character, but ulti- 

 mately referring to an hypothesis, shall be designated by the 

 term deduced. 



1. From phcfinomenon 1st, it is inferred that the power pro- 

 <iucing the preceding effects is a material substance sui generis. 



2. As bodies acted upon in the same manner will always re- 

 cede from each other (piwiiom. 2), and as bo(Hes not so acted 

 upon remain stationary, it appears that it is the electrical mat- 

 ter wiiich causes the lecodeiice ; and that the ultimate particles 

 of this electrical matter have scj)arately and collectively a mu- 

 tually 



