VOL. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. IQl- 



The 4 letters, the last of which contains a new hypothesis for explaining the 

 several phenomena of thunder-gusts, have either in the whole or in part been 

 before communicated to the k. s. It remains therefore now only to lay before 

 the Society an account of the latter part of this treatise, as well as that of a letter, 

 intended to be added to it by the author, but which arrived too late for publi- 

 cation with iL 



This ingenious author, from a variety of well adapted experiments, is of opi- 

 nion, that the electrical matter consists of particles extremely subtle, since it can 

 permeate common matter, even the densest metals, with such ease and freedom, 

 as not to receive any perceptible resistance. Electrical matter, according to him, 

 differs from common matter in this, that the parts of the latter mutually attract, 

 and those of the former mutually repel each other ; hence the divergency in a 

 stream of electrified effluvia: * but that, though the particles of electrical matter 

 do repel each other, they are strongly attracted by all other matter. From these 

 3 things, viz. the extreme subtilty of the electrical matter, the mutual repulsion 

 of its parts, and the strong attraction between them and other matter, arises this 

 effect, that when a quantity of electrical matter is applied to a mass of common 

 matter of any size or length within our observation (which has not already got 



having first endeavoured in vain to dissuade the ministry from their coercive measures. His fame 

 stood as high in the political as it had done in the scientific world. He became an active member of 

 the new legislative assembly, and America is indebted for the formation of its constitution to this 

 virtuous and enlightened philosopher. After this important service he was sent ambassador to France, 

 to negociate an alliance with that country, in which he was completely successfiil. He also acted as 

 one of the plenipotentiaries for his country in signing the treaty of peace with England in 1783. Two 

 years after, he returned again to America, and received from his grateful countrymen those honours 

 and distinctions which he had so justly merited. At length, after rendering to mankind the most 

 essential benefits as a natural and moral philosopher, the infirmities of age and sedentary employments 

 increasing fast upon him, he became more and more afflicted with the gout and the stone, till the 

 time of his death, which happened the 17th of April 1790, at 84 years of age. 



To record Dr. Franklin's numerous discoveries and experiments, with the many useful institutions 

 founded by his means, and the other curious transactions of his long and valuable life, would require 

 an ample volume : and indeed a posthumous volume has been published, drawn up by himself, but 

 containing only about half the term of his life ; which leaves a general wish that the remainder of 

 such interesting memoirs may one day see the light. 



Dr. F. was author of very numerous tracts and essays on various branches of natural philosophy, as 

 well as on politics and miscellaneous subjects, which have been published in different forms. His 

 diction was easy, natural, and flowing; and his conversation at once amusing and instructive. His 

 temper and manner lively, innocent, playful, interesting. His character leading and persuasive, 

 not commanding. Among his playfellows, while a boy, be was always the captain, leader, and 

 conductor ; among men o!' all descriptions, in maturer age, he was the life and soul of every com- 

 pany. 



• As the electric stream is observed to diverge very little, when tlie experiment is made in vacuo, 

 this appearance is more owing to the resistance of the atmosphere, that to any natural tendency ia 

 the electricity itself. W. W. — Orig. 



