3 86' 



ON GALVANISM AND ELECTRICITY. 



conflict is a little like that formerly admitted between alka- 

 , lis and acids, on which their effervescence was imagined to 

 depend. For how can we suppose an action without the di- 

 rect intervention of the acting substance, and without ad- 

 mitting in this substance an affinity, if not of combination, at 

 least disposing, or of indirect or remote combination with 

 one of the principles of the substance on which it acts; sim- 

 ply to ascribe its decomposition, and that in its most inti- 

 mate connexions, to a conflict between two opposite powers? 

 a conflict that manifests itself in no way, that all the phe- 

 nomena contradict, that resembles no other action known, 

 that want of reflection alone could suggest, and that is 

 founded only on a big word without meaning, on a fine 

 Subsiancfs or phrase, under cover of which so many falsities have passed 

 powers of the without examination from age to age. It is not thus in na- 

 l\es coalesce • ture, where substances and powers of the same quality at- 

 Vnose of oppo- tract each other, are confounded together, and concur to the 

 attract or are same end; and where substances and powers of opposite 

 indifferent to qualities either attract each other to combine peaceably, or 

 o .ier. are j ndi ffereiit to each other. If the action ascribed to the 

 electric fluid could exist, if a passive action without object 

 aud without end were not a contradiction in terms, it would 

 be to reduce the influence of this powerful fluid to some- 

 thing very trifling, it would be to make it perform a very in- 

 ferior part. 

 1 he author's The following is nearly the true mode of action of the 

 electric fluid. I repeat what I have said elsewhere in giv- 

 ing it, but when we perceive the wisest heads going astray, 

 the principles, that must cure them of their errour, cannot 

 be too frequently brought forward. 



Electricity When the electric fluid, either of the common machine 



fombined with P ,, .. , , . . 



•an element and or °' the pile, decomposes substances, one or more pnnci- 



Ktrtns a gas, pl e s of which are bases of permanent gasses, it enters into 

 combination with these bases, which it convertes iuto gas in 

 the same manner as light does. Thus it decomposes water, 

 nitric acid, ammonia, metallic oxides, &.c. It acts on this 

 occasion as a true chemical power, since it destroys combi- 

 Trio-e directly nations that exist by chemical affinity. In. these decompo- 

 ■ H * ls sitions it enjoys an advantage over light, being in the state 

 'n which permanent gasses appear to contain caloric, and in- 

 to 



