VOL. XLV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 533 



streak almost contiguous, attended with a crackling or snapping, like what may 

 be observed on moving the tinger nimbly along over the prime conductor, when 

 excited in the electrifying machine ; of which the lady was able to form a com- 

 parison, having afterwards seen some experiments of that sort. This appearance 

 returned at the same time, and on the same occasion, 2 or 3 nights after, but 

 more languid, till it was quite lost. 



A lady, who was informed of this, lessened tjie surprise, which had been 

 thought almost ominous, by assuring, that she had seen the same phenomenon 

 often in new flannel, but never in any that had been long worn or washed : and 

 that the flannel being rendered damp with sea water, and afterwards dried, would 

 heighten the flashing, which she imputed to the sulphur used in bleaching. Mr. 

 C. further observes, that these sparklings had the crackling criterion of electrical 

 fire ; and that hair and wool, as well as silk, are electrics per se, and unctuous 

 and sulphureous bodies more electric than others of the same density. 



Of an Earthquake at Taunton. By the Rev. John Forster. N" 488, p. SgS. 



Between 10 and 11 o'clock at night, July 1, 1747, Mr. F. being in some 

 company at Taunton, they were suddenly surprised with a rumbling noise like 

 distant thunder, which was followed immediately by so considerable a motion 

 of the earth, that the chairs rocked under them. The noise and shaking seemed 

 to come from a distance, and approached gradually, in such a manner as if a 

 loaded waggon had passed along, and continued nearly the same time as such a 

 waggon would require to go about 100 yards. The motion went from south- 

 east to north-west ; which being the direction of the street, on one side of which 

 the house stood, some of them imagined at first that a waggon had really gone 

 along; but on running out and inquiring, they found there had been no 

 waggon. 



Though this happened between 10 and 11 o'clock at night, when most of the 

 town were in bed, the shock was so sensible, that many people got up very much 

 terrified ; and these waking others, the consternation soon became general ; inso 

 much that, though it was a rainy night, numbers of people ran out into their 

 gardens, and spent the night there, being apprehensive of other shocks. The 

 account then newly brought us of a dreadful earthquake at Lima, being fresh in 

 every body's mind, contributed to increase the surprize. 



A worthy clergyman, who lives 5 miles from Taunton, informed Mr. F. that 

 the china and glasses on the cupboards in his house rattled and shook as if they 

 would fall down, and the bells in his house rang. A person who was at that 

 time coming on foot to Taunton also said, that the noise seemed to him like the 

 discharge of cannon at a distance, and came rumbling onwards, till the earth 

 moved under him in such a manner, that he could hardly keep on his legs : se- 



