Electrical Phenomena in Houses. 59 
Catlin’s in company with Prof. Samuel St. John, Professor of 
Chesstg: in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of this city. 
We found the parlors at a temperature of 70°, and the electricity 
was quite noticeable, although by no means so abundant as at my 
.- visit in 1850. We first measured the length of the spark by em- 
al ploying two brass balls supported on glass rods in such a manner 
that the distance between the balls could be regulated at Pleasure. 
The diameter of one ball was % inch, that of the other ,% inch. 
When Mrs. C. walked briskly across ‘the room and touched one 
of the balls with her finger, the other ball being in communica- 
tion with the gas-pipe, t ee spark would not pass from one ball 
to the other if the distance much exceeded one quarter of an inc 
yet this spark was quite intense, and was accompanied by a 
snap. When I skipped across the room in the same manner, I 
gave a bright 5 but it would not pass through a distance 
quite as great as that furnished Sgt 
We next attempted to light the gas from the chandelier by 
means of the spark. One of the burners was Cheat te , an 
a pocket-key in her hand, and s ace wa across ay room, 
gave a spar pase she handle of 
sp did not ] 
through the ether. After a few trials the ether was fired © 
spark from Mrs. C.’s finger. 
We next received a succession n of sparks upon on rg ° 
The first attempts were unsuccessful ; gee because the 
an 
vulse my. 
We next suspended a pith-bail SE a silk t ing 
rubbed a stick of sealing. wax =p me Bo" electrified an 
pith-ball. After skipping ac ee fin- 
ger to the pith-ball and found it ees repelle 4, vo that 
the Shectaicity. of my body was of the same that of the 
sealin, hich conforms to the result hich I "published 4 in 
1 It nee | be remarked t! re commencing the pre- 
ippers wi with thin soles. 
On the evening of March Ba 1858, Prof. a = ohn and are 
2 made a second visit to the house of Mr. _ The sky was 
ai | my boots for a pair of dry ee = 
