Electrical Phenomena in Houses. 61 
thermometer in the parlors stood at about 70°. From all the 
facts which I have been able to collect, 1 infer that a furnace 
placed in the cellar, and sending its heat through flues to the 
parlors and other portions of the house, is more favorable to 
electrical excitement than any other mode of heating, whether 
by means of a stove or an open grate. ar the only reason 
for this difference is that when a furnace is use iy “Te house 
is more sure to be kept thoroughly warm and dr 
of the furnaces in New York, perhaps on most of. shane a paiak 
of water is placed to supply ‘moisture to the heated air; but it 
is also true that in all the modern mee well-built houses in New 
ork, so far as I have observed or heard, particularly in those 
which are warmed by furnaces, ue doors and wainscot, together 
with the furniture, during winter habitually shrink and crack 
indicating a very dry atmosphere. 
8, A thick and substantial woolen carpet. My own obsery 
tions and information lead me to the following conclusions that 
slipper, with a sole not very thick, appears to be fa- 
vorable to the success of these ey A boot or shoe 
iy: ies are rall 
more successful in these experiments than gentlemen, ohio, T 
think, from the fact that the soles of their shoes are ordinarily 
thin and dry. In my a stag ae at Mr. —_ house, I gave 
had 
