PROGRESS IN ELECTRICITY 



generating electricity by revolving globes run by belt 

 and wheel in much the same manner as the apparatus 

 of Hauksbee. 



With such machines it was possible to generate a 

 much greater amount of electricity than Dufay had 

 been able to do with the rubbed tube, and so equipped, 

 the two German professors were able to generate elec- 

 tric sparks and jets of fire in a most startling manner. 

 Bose in particular had a love for the spectacular, which 

 he turned to account with his new electrical machine 

 upon many occasions. On one of these occasions he 

 prepared an elaborate dinner, to which a large number 

 of distinguished guests were invited. Before the ar- 

 rival of the company, however, Bose insulated the 

 great banquet-table on cakes of pitch, and then con- 

 nected it with a huge electrical machine concealed in 

 another room. All being ready, and the guests in 

 their places about to be seated, Bose gave a secret sig- 

 nal for starting this machine, when, to the astonish- 

 ment of the party, flames of fire shot from flowers, 

 dishes, and viands, giving a most startling but beauti- 

 ful display. 



To add still further to the astonishment of his 

 guests, Bose then presented a beautiful young lady, 

 to whom each of the young men of the party was in- 

 troduced. In some mysterious manner she was in- 

 sulated and connected with the concealed electrical 

 machine, so that as each gallant touched her finger- 

 tips he received an electric shock that "made him 

 reel." Not content with this, the host invited the 

 young men to kiss the beautiful maid. But those who 

 were bold enough to attempt it received an electric 



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