482 Scientific Inielligence. (Jong, 
considerable quantity may be conveyed to a distance. By connecting 
the vessel with a gasometer, the gas might be let out at pleasure. 
On this principle rooms at a distance. from gas works could be 
lighted for the evening, by sending an order to any of the gas com- 
panies, who should be provided with proper vessels for conveying 
the gas in a highly condensed state, with a gasometer, stop-cocks, 
and tubes, for conveying the gas on a very small scale. 
I remain, dear Sir, yours, &c. 
J. T. Brae. 
P.S. Performing some electrical experiments, I conceived spirits 
of turpentine would insulate. I accordingly rubbed a quantity on 
the glass support of the prime conductor, and found the insulation 
apparently as perfect as before. JI put a quantity of spirits of tur- 
pentine on an insulated brass plate, and electrifying it, the turpen- 
tine was driven off a considerable distance in very fine streams. If 
you think any of these communications not new, or unworthy of a 
place in your Annals of Philosophy, you will reject them accord- 
ingly. 
a - IV. Musical Experiment. 
(To Dr. Thomson.) 
SIR, Red Lion-square, May 7, 1817. 
In your last number of the Annals of Philosophy was inserted a 
wonderful and mysterious experiment on electric attraction and 
vibration of sounds; but not being possessed of the wonderful abili- 
ties of your correspondent, who must certainly have had recourse to 
some supernatural powers, I was not able to produce the surprising 
phenomenon said to be the result of his experiment. 
With regard to vibration of sound, I have often tried a very 
pleasing experiment, which, though I dare say it is very well known, 
yet may be found worthy your notice; namely, that of playing a 
flute, or any ,other wind instrument, close to the wires of a piano 
forte. The vibration of the dulcet notes of the flute on the wires 
of the piano produces so soft and pleasing music, that it resembles 
in some measure the /Kolian harp; but with this difference, the 
sound of the flute is so completely intermingled with that of the 
wires, that it has a great advantage over the AZolian harp. But it 
is to be observed that this experiment labours under great disadvan- 
tage from the low notes of the echo, which is only distinctly audible 
by applying the ear close to the piano; but should it be brought to 
perfection by increasing the height of its tone, it would be a very 
sweet and harmonious accompaniment. ‘Though this experiment is 
not tinctured with so much of the marvellous as that of your last 
number, yet should you think it worthy a place in your Anmals, it 
may suggest to the mind of some ingenious reader an improvement 
on it, in which its beauty would be brought to a state of visible 
perfection. 
Believe me to be, Sir, 
Yours with the most profound respect, 
T 
