376 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1753, 



years ago. Mr. Jallabert consults the Abbe Nollet in regard to the solution of 

 the phenomena of this experiment ; and the Abbe now gives the same solution 

 to it, which Mr. W. first gave to a similar experiment of Le Monnier's, and laid 

 before the Society in January 1746, and since applied on other occasions in il- 

 lustrating the electrical circuit. 



The Qth letter to Mr. Boze at Wittemberg, is in answer to one of Mr. Boze, 

 in which this gentleman expresses himself surprized, that so many ages have 

 passed, without it having been discovered that thunder electrizes bodies ; since 

 it depends on an experiment so simple, and which it is hardly possible to fail in, 

 when you desire to repeat it under proper circumstances. On this our author 

 observes, that people in general only see the facts, or are ignorant of, or do not 

 consider the means by which philosophers arrive at them ; nor perceive the cir- 

 cumstances, without which these phenomena could never have been made 

 known to us ; and that Mr. Boze will cease to be surprized, as he is so well 

 versed in these phenomena, when he reflects on what our author offers. 



To make the experiment in question, it is necessary that bodies should be sup- 

 ported by glass, silk, or resin, without touching any thing else communicating 

 with what we now call non-electrics ; without which, the signs of electricity, 

 which are sought for, cannot manifest themselves. To this experiment there- 

 fore, a previous knowledge is required of insulating bodies to be electrized ; but 

 where is the man who was acquainted with this fact 30 years ago ? Before that 

 period, it was not even guessed at by any one. 



Since Mr. Gray discovered, that bodies must be insulated, to communicate to 

 them a perceptible electric virtue, to what purpose could we set up iron bars 

 under a stormy cloud ? This thought could not have happened, but to those who 

 had taken notice of the analogy bet\yeen lightning and electricity, and on whom 

 this idea had made a strong impression. And no one could think seriously on 

 this analogy, but since the discovery of the Leyden experiment, that is, since 

 the year 1746. Before that time the electrization of bodies by thunder could 

 not have been perceived, but by an accident very diflcicult to meet, on account of 

 the conditions requisite. 



Yet it may be urged, that bodies, being really electrized, have shown them- 

 selves in all ages,* as historians both ancient and modern have expressly men- 



* 1 formerly took notice, that the electrical attraction had been observed so early, as to be men- 

 tioned by Theophrastus (see Phil. Trans, vol. xliv. p. 732) ; so its luminous appearance, though only 

 considered as a meteor, is mentioned by Plutarch, in the life of Lysander. Pliny, in the second 

 book of his Natural History, chap. 37. calls these appearances stars; and tells us, not only that they 

 settled oil the masts, and other parts of ships, but also on men's heads. Seneca too in his Natural 

 Questions, chap. i. takes notice of the same phenomenon. And in Caesar, de Bello Africano, cap. 6, 

 edit. Amstel. 1686", we find them attending a very violent storm. Livy, chap. 22, mentions two 

 similar facts. 



