Galvanism, arid Electricity , 111 



composed with facility, — the latter result having; a most beautiful 

 and brilliant appeariuice of metallic curls. Gold-leaf, tinfoil, 

 and small watch-pendulum wire were also deflagrated to a con- 

 siderable extent — the wire gradually assuming hrst a red, then 

 a white Jieat, and lastly falling into globules. 



The cylinder of mv electrifying machine is only eight inches 

 diameter, and ten inches long : !)Ut by applying an excellent 

 amalgam and using every obvious precaution of having the whole 

 apparatus drv and in good condition, I have with the assistance 

 of Cuthbertsoh's balance electrometer, and a single jar contain- 

 ing about four square feet and a half of metallic coating, fused 

 eight inches of the smallest watch-pendulum wire I could pro- 

 cure, with a very luminous and briUiant effect ; — with a modihca- 

 tion of Lane's electrometer of tnv own adaptation I have drawiv 

 prettv large sparks at a distance of four inch.es. 



I am induced to mention these circumstances, in consequence 

 of having often made the want of a larger ap|)aratus a subject of 

 r-^gret, not h.aviug tiien any idea these experiments would suc- 

 ceed with one so small; and well knowing many |)crsons are it* 

 possession of apparatus of about the same size as mine, without 

 being aware of the effects they are capal>le of producing, 1 am 

 anxious some hint should be given to induce th.eir owners to 

 bring them into useful action. I have found that by breathing 

 into tile jar, its capacity for receiving and retaining the electric 

 fluid is very mucli increaicd. 



I beg you will excuse my troubling yon with these trifling de- 

 sultory observations; the only apology I can offer is the experience 

 I have had of their utility in mv own pursuits. 



One more remark, and I have done. — Being in possession of 

 your excellent Magazine from its commencement, and observing 

 it has now readied and completed fifty vohancs, I do hope and 

 entreat you will favour us with a general index to them. — I need 

 not expatiate upon the great convenience of such an addition; 

 it is too obvious; and whatever the ex])ense may be, I am certain 

 it would be met with alacrity by those who take your work. 

 To be compelled to look through fifty volumes for an article, vou 

 uiust a.llow, is a trial upon the time and patience which a general 

 index can alone remove. 



I am, sir, 



Very respectfully yours, 



.1. Acton. 



P. S. — A few eveiiiiips ago, Mr. Lofft and I with some other 

 frieiuis were much delighted with looking through an excellent 

 Cassagrain telescope, of a power of about 230, at Mars and some 

 other of the licavenlv bodies, which we observed to very great 

 advantage, the objects being well defined, the held of view con- 

 siderable. 



