238 
ELECTRICAL FACTS. 
Lord Stan- 
of electri 
lied air. 
bodies, which are supposed to possess the intense opposite state, 
and do not seem -to act much, if at all, less effectually on that 
account. I must likewise add, that if a point be made to issue 
from the surface of a metallic ball, and that part of the ball 
which is diametrically opposite the point, be presented to an 
electrified conductor, the point, though not directed towards 
the conductor, will, nevertheless, discharge its electricity 
silently, in the usual manner, though no good reason can be 
offered to shew why the ball, which by its charge is supposed to 
prevent the transition of electricity to or from its owri surface, 
should not equally affect the remoter point. 
Earl Stanhope, admitting the existence of electrical atmos- 
Jiope’s theory pberes, consisting of air electrified by communication, accounts 
©t atmospheres , ....... . . . 
for the action of points from the circumstance that their extre- 
mities, projecting beyond the common surface, are placed in a 
less dense part of the atmosphere, where the resistance to the 
transition of electricity is less than nearer the surface. On this 
hypothesis I must observe, that it is not probable that electiified 
bodies have atmospheres of air electrified by communication, 
for two very strong reasons. The first is, that if such commu- 
nication took place almost instantly, to the distance of many 
feet, it would be scarcely possible to shew why the whole elec- 
tricity of a conductor should not be conveyed off in the smallest 
space of time ; and it is admitted that electric atmospheres 
extend as far as their effects are perceived. In the second 
place, it is known that the effects of electricity diminish gra- 
dually and regularly as the distance increases, and that air re- 
ceives- and loses electricity slowly ; — two circumstances which 
are not reconcileable with the little disturbance which agitation 
of the air produces in those effects. For if the slowly electrified 
air were the cause of the general phenomena of electricity, it 
would doubtless cease to act with regularity, when the more or 
less electrified parts were mixed together. But though the 
position of the existence of such atmospheres so formed, seems 
inadmissible, yet it will appear, upon consideration, that the 
sagacity of the noble author has led him to point out the fact, 
on which the action of points principally depends. 
A point considerably elevated above the surface of an elec- 
trified conductor, emits or receives electricity with scarcely 
any sound, and with great facility. When very little elevated, 
this 
