13G HISTORY OF 



from beJow ; and the whole acting uniformly on the surface of 

 the body, wraps us close round without injury. 



As I have deviated thus far, I will just mention one or two 

 properties more, which water, and all such like fluids, is found 

 to possess. And, first, their ascending in vessels which are 

 emptied of air, as in our common pumps for instance. The air, 

 however, being the agent-in this case, we must previously ex- 

 amine its properties, before we undertake the explanation. The 

 other property to be mentioned is, that of their ascending in 

 small capillary tubes. This is one of the most extraordinary and 

 inscrutable appearances in nature. Glass tubes may be drawn, 

 by means of a lamp, as fine as a hair ; still preserving their hol- 

 low within. If one of these be planted in a vessel of vi-ater, or 

 spirit of wine, the liquor will immediately be seen to ascend; 

 and it will rise higher, in proportion as the tube is smaller ; a 

 foot, two feet, and more. How does this come to pass ? Is 

 the air the cause ? No : the liquor rises, although the air be 

 taken away. Is attraction the cause ? No : for quicksilver 

 does not ascend, which it otherwise would. Many have been 

 the theories of experimental philosophers to explain this pro- 

 perty. Such as are fond of travelling in the regions of con- 

 jectm'e, may consult Hawksbee, Morgan, Juiin, or Watson, who 

 have examined the subject with great minuteness. Hithertoj 

 however, nothing but doubts, instead of knowledge, have been 

 the result of their inquiries. It will not, therefore, become U8 

 to enter into the minuteness of the inquiry, when we have so 

 many greater wonders to call our attention away. ' 



1 This phenompnon, which has so long^ embarrassed philosophers, is easily 

 soluble upon the principle, that the attraction between the particles of glass 

 and water is greater than the attraction between the particles of water them- 

 selves : for, if a glass tube be held parallel to the horizon, and a drop of 

 water be applied to the under side of the tube, it will adhere to it : nor will 

 it fall from the glass, till its bulk and gravity are so far increased as to over, 

 balance the attraction of the glass. Hence it is ea^y to conceive, how sensi- 

 bly such a power must act ou the surface of a fluid not viscid, as water, 

 contained within tlie cavity of a small glass tube ; as also that the quantity of 

 the fluid raised, will be as the surface of tlie bore wU;ch it fills, that is, as tho 

 diameter of the tube. 



