3. r A ELECTRICITY. 



This experiment will be the more diverting if it 

 be accompanied with that of the electrical bells, 

 which depend upon the same principle. Four bells, 

 a> b, c, d, (Fig. 4.) hang from brass rods, commu- 

 nicating with the prime conductor, and another 

 bell, e, fixed on a brass pedestal A, reaching to 

 the ground; and four small brass balls, suspended 

 by silken threads, hang between a, b, c, d, and the 

 bell e in the middle. The consequence of this 

 disposition is, that the outermost bells, which hang 

 from the prime conductor by brass chains, are 

 electrified, and attract the brass balls which hang 

 by silk; and the attraction being vigorous, they 

 are made to strike the bells with some force, and 

 make them ring. Being then loaded with elec- 

 tricity, they are immediately repelled from these 

 outermost bells, and fly to unload themselves by 

 striking upon the middle bell, which is insulated 

 by the glass pillar 13 upon the pedestal ; and from 

 which the electric matter passes to the floor by 

 means of the brass pedestal A. The brass balls, 

 which now may be called clappers to the bells, are 

 then ready to be attracted by the outermost bells, 

 as at first; and thus the ringing may be continued 

 as long as it is agreeable. The amusement will be 

 heightened, if the electrician now and then touch 

 the prime conductor with a brass rod, or with his 

 finger; for then the dancing and ringing will cease, 

 and will not be renewed till his finger or the rod 

 be removed. If he conceal this application of his 

 finger, or the rod, with a little art, the figures will 

 seem to dance, and the bells to ring, at the word 

 of command. 



