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CHAPTER V. 



Hypothesis of two Electric Fluids. 



Is the electric fluid one and the same in all 

 bodies ? or is it a compound fluid ? Each of these 

 hypotheses have been zealously maintained since 

 the time of Dufay and Franklin. But the con- 

 troversy has consisted rather in pointing out 

 frivolous distinctions in the phenomena pro- 

 duced, than in tracing the fundamental laws by 

 which they are governed. After a patient ex- 

 amination of the facts adduced by the British 

 and Continental philosophers, I have not been 

 able to discover any decisive evidence that there 

 are two electricities. On the contrary, it might 

 as well be maintained that there are fifty, or an 

 indefinite number; for this Protean agent ex- 

 hibits an endless diversity of appearances and 

 effects under different circumstances, according 

 to the various bodies from which it is obtained, 

 the mode of its developement, &c. 



It was discovered by Dufay, about a century 

 ago, that when glass, rock crystal, diamond, pre- 

 cious stones, and many other substances, were 



