308 Eleftiic Matter. [Book IV. 



or fmall flames of divergent flame j it is certain, there- 

 fore, that fome fubtile matter put in motion is alone 

 capable of making thefe imprefllons upon our fenfes ; 

 and we may conclude, that every electrified body is 

 cncompafTed by fome matter in motion, which is, with- 

 out doubt, the immediate caufe of all the electrical 

 phenomena, and which we term the electric matter or 

 fluid. 



Thus far, and no farther, are we warranted in af- 

 firming, on the only evidence to be admitted in philo- 

 fophy, that of experiment, fact, and obfervation. There 

 is, however, in man, a curiofity that prompts us to 

 look beyond effects, and a difpofition that leads us to 

 theorize, even on the moft difficult fubjects. Let us, 

 however, do it with diffidence and caution. What 

 then is this electric matter ? or whence does it derive 

 its origin ? It apparently proceeds not from the elec- 

 trified body, for that fuffers no fenfible diminution. It 

 depends not on any property inherent in the air of the 

 atmofphere, for three obvious reafons ; firft, becaufc 

 electrical phenomena may be produced in a ipace 

 from which the air has been moft carefully exhaufted. 

 Secondly, Becatife the electrical matter has qualities 

 which are not inherent in air; it penetrates certain bo- 

 dies impervious to air, fuch as metals j it has a fen- 

 fible odour j it appears itfelf inflamed ; it is capable of 

 inflaming other bodies, and of melting metals ; effects 

 which air cannot produce. Thirdly, It tranfmits its 

 motions with confiderably more rapidity than that of 

 found, which is a motion of the air the moft rapid that 

 we are acquainted with. 



It is generally agreed, that the electric matter has 

 a ftrong analogy with the matter of heat and light. It 

 appears indeed, that nature, who is lo very ceconomi- 

 cnl in the production of principles, whiift (he multiplies 



their 



