198 



-A lady who has her head surrounded vith wires, -- 

 fcer hair stuck full of metal pins, and who at the same 

 time stands upon dry silk, is to all intents ami purpose 

 '&n electrical conductor, iusolated, and prepared for col- 

 lecting the fire Irom the atmosphere ; 'and it is not at 

 all surprising that during thunder frtorms, or when tins 

 air is extremely replete \\iih <-!e< trical matter, she 'should 

 emit sparks, and exhibit oilier appearances of electri- 

 city. I imagine a vtry trying change of dress, which 

 from the constant versatility of their modes, may some 

 day take place, would render this iad\'s disease alto- 

 gether epidemical among the sex. -Only let the soles of 

 their shoes -he made of an electric substance, >and let the 

 wires of their -caps, ana pia*. of their hair, be M.mewhat 

 lengthened and pom ed outv\ards ; %. d I think there is 

 little doubt, that they will often find themsehes in an 

 electrified state: but indeed, if they only wear silk, or 

 even worsted stockings, it may some times prove suffici- 

 ent ; for electrometers have been often insolatcd as per- 

 fectly by placing them o;i a piece ot dry silk, r flannel, 

 as on glass. 



How little do our ladies 'imagine, wlirn t >ev rurround 

 their heads with wire, the most powerful <-f all conduc- 

 tors; and at the same time, wear stoci-ii-g>, shoes, and 

 gowns of silk, one of the most powerful repetlanis, that 

 they prepare their bodies in the same manner, ' nd ac- 

 cording to the same principles as electrici i.s re are 

 their conductors for attracting th'e tire of L. ht- 

 ning ! If they cannot be brought to rei r. uis i t eir 

 wire caps, and their pins, might they LO< fa.! i<i^ on 

 . some s,;ch preservatives as thobevvl i-h o: lat y ars 

 have been applied. to objects of less coiibidcration or coa*. 

 sequence ? - 



11. Next in subtilty to this ethereal fluid the ether of 

 plants appeirs to be. It seems to be di-sttute of all 

 gross air. For exhaust tins ever so ;K urately, i\ re- 

 in-'i'^ unmoved, and does not emit any air bubbles, 

 wl; h immediately arise in other liquor. A little of it 

 poured on the hand, gives a sense ot cold, equal to that 



