C^sf ) 
If I may interpofe my Opinion i you may take it 
thus: 
Thunder and Lightning are To very like the EfFeds 
of fired Gun-'powder, that we may reafonably judge 
them to proceed from like Caufes. The violent Ex^- 
plofion of Gun-Powder, attended with the Noife and 
Flafli^ is ib like that of Thunder and Lightning, as 
if they differed only as natural and Artificial,- as if 
Thunder and Lightning were a kind of Natural Gun- 
powder , and this a kind of Artificial Thunder and 
Lightning. 
Now the principal Ingredients in Gun-powder are, 
Nitre and Sulphur (the Admiftion of Char-cole being 
chiefly to keep the Parts feparate for the better kind- 
ling of it).. So that if we fuppofe in the Air, a 
convenient Mixture of Nitrous and Sulphurous Va- 
pours, and thofc by Accident to take Fire ; fuch Ex- 
plofion may well follow, with fuch Noife and Light, 
as in the firing of Gun- powder. And being once 
kindled, it will run on from Place to Place as the 
Vapour leads ir, as in a Train of Gun- powder, with 
likeEfTefts. 
This Expiofion, if high in the Air, and far from 
us, will do no Mifchief, or not confiderable like a 
parcel of Gun- powder fired in the open Air, where 
is nothing near to be hurt by it : But if near, to us (or 
amongft us) it may kill Men or Cattle, tear Trees, 
fire Gun-powder, break Houfes, or the hke ; as Gun- 
powder would do in like Circumftances. 
Ddd dd % 
Now 
