38-2 



Theory of Galvanic, or Voltaic Electricity. 



ON the first introduction of the Voltaic pile 

 into Paris, Napoleon was so strongly impressed 

 with its importance, that he offered 60,000 fr. 

 to the individual, of whatever nation, who should 

 make 'a decided advancement in the knowledge 

 of its theory, as Franklin did in common elec- 

 tricity. Had this extraordinary man devoted 

 himself to the task, it is probable that he would 

 have gained the prize. He proposed several 

 interesting points of inquiry in regard to the 

 theory of its action. He wished that experi- 

 ments should be made on the pile at very dif- 

 ferent temperatures, for the purpose of ascer- 

 taining whether caloric created any remarkable 

 difference in its power of producing electricity. 

 On witnessing the transport of the elements of 

 salts to its respective poles, he is represented to 

 have said to his physician Corvisart, " Docteur, 

 voila 1'image de la vie." (Traite de 1'Electr. 

 et du Magnetisme, vol. i. p. 108, par M. Bec- 

 querel.) 



It sometimes happens, that new discoveries 

 retard the general progress of science for a time, 

 by withdrawing the attention of philosophers 

 from a general and comprehensive survey of na- 

 ture, to that of some obscure and petty province. 



The brilliant discoveries of Galvani, Volta 



