fehap. 5.] Elettrical Fluid. 339 



The proof on which this hypothefis refts is, that 

 light bodies are actually lifted up, and earned to or 

 from the electrified body, which, the advocates of this 

 theory alledge, could only be effected by their being 

 enveloped in fome fluid medium. Thus, when the 

 hairs on the head of a perfon electrified (land erect, or 

 the fibres of a foft feather fpread out, as if to meet or 

 recede from the conductor, according to circumftances, 

 every particular hair or fibre is fuppofed to be fur- 

 rounded with an electrical atmofphere. 



It is demonstrated by Earl Stanhope, in his inge- 

 nious treatife on electricity, that the denfity of the elec- 

 trical atmofphere diminifhes exactly in proportion to 

 the fquares of its diftance from the center of the elec- 

 trified body. 



Thofe attractions and repulfions, which we have feen 

 take place when light bodies are brought near to elec- 

 trified fubftances, are, agreeably to the notion of fome 

 philofophersj'caufed by two currents of the electric 

 fluid ; the current which departs from the bodies 

 brought near to the electrified fubftance caufes thofe 

 bodies to appear to be attracted, and the current which 

 departs from the electrified fubftance repels them : as 

 thefe two effects take place in the fame inftant, it may- 

 be inferred that thefe two currents are fimultaneous. 



A body repelled by an electrified fubftance, will be 

 attracted by this fubftance as loon as it has touched 

 any non -electric body. 



An electrified, fubftance, if it is left free to move, is 

 attracted by a non electric body not electrified. Thus 

 a fmall thin "plate of metal, electrified and fufpendeii 

 by a thread of filk, is attracted either by a man's hand, 

 a piece of green wood, or by a metal rod prcfentcd 

 to it. 



Z a All 



