ELECTRICITY. 



In 1748, the Abbe Nollet reproduces the conjecture of Grey, attended with 



more circumstantial reasons. 



In 17-19, Franklin strongly maintains their identity, and accurately describes 

 two ways of experimentally testing it, and sends his instructions to Eu- 

 rope, to enable others with better local opportunities than he possessed to 

 try it. 



In 1752, MM. Dalibard and Delor, in France, make the preparations prescri- 

 bed according to one of Franklin's methods ; and Franklin makes in Phil- 

 adelphia preparations according to the other method. 

 On lOlh May, 1752, Coiffier and the curate make the experiment as directed 



by Franklin, and obtain the results foretold by Franklin. 

 In June, 1752, Franklin makes the same experiment in Philadelphia, ac- 

 cording to the other method, with like results. 



If the credit of the discovery is due to him who first conjectured the identity 

 of lightning and electricity, then it is due to Mr. Stephen Gray. 



If it be due to him who showed the method of making the capital experi- 

 ment by which the identity must be either established or refuted, it belongs to 

 Franklin. 



If it be due to the persons at whose expense Franklin's apparatus was 

 first constructed, then it must be shared between Franklin, Dalibard, and 

 Delor. 



If it be due to him who first, in person, performed the experiment proposed 

 by Franklin, it must be accorded to the carpenter and dragoon Coiffier. 



We shall now dismiss this matter, to which more space has been allotted 

 than it is entitled to, merely observing, that much as living philosophers must 

 be surprised at the claim advanced in favor of M. Dalibard, that electrician 

 himself, could he rise from his tomb, would see with infinitely more astonish- 

 ment an honor sought for him to which he never himself aspired, or supposed 

 he had the slightest title. 



Franklin having established, beyond the possibility of dispute, the identity 

 of lightning and electricity, proceeded, in accordance with that characteristic 

 attribute of his mind already noticed, to turn this discovery to the benefit of 

 mankind, and proposed the general adoption of those pointed metallic rods now 

 so commonly erected at the summits of buildings to protect them from the effects 

 of lightning. The principle of this apparatus, as now constructed for edifices 

 and ships, differs in nothing essential from that proposed by its celebrated in- 

 ventor. 



This part of the labors of Franklin in electricity cannot be dismissed with- 

 out a passing notice of the dispute which was maintained in England respect- 

 ing the comparative advantages of conductors with pointed ends as proposed by 

 Franklin, or with round or blunted ends as suggested by some others. It were 

 for the honor of science that this discreditable controversy had never taken 

 place. It forms, a rare, if not a solitary example, of the prostitution of philos- 

 ophy to gratify the meanest passions of an obstinate and imbecile prince. The 

 persevering tenacity with which the British monarch fastened his last grasp 

 on his American subjects about to wrest themselves from his power, and assert 

 their independence, is well known. By his pursuit of that object, after all 

 reasonable hope of securing it had expired, the treasures of his kingdom were 

 lavished, and the blood of his people flowed in mutual slaughter. Bad as were 

 these consequences, they were nevertheless the ordinary consequences of war. 

 But the vindictive spirit of the court passed from the field and council-board to 

 the peaceful halls of science ; and because Franklin, the agent, representative, 

 and counsellor of the American people, had proposed the use of pointed con- 

 ductors, a party of parasites was found, who, to gratify George III., advocated 



