[ 54 ] 
Papers and Pamphlets, where it ufed to be put 5 and 
next Morning, as we were at Breakfaft, I heard a 
Snap, and, on turning my Head, found about two 
Inches of my Tube broke off very regularly. Upon 
this I took it, and plac’d it againft a Cupboard- 
Door, ered, in a Pocket of Leather, that had been 
nail’d up againft the Door for fuch a Purpofe. The 
upper End was tied tp two Thongs of Leather, but 
not tight, only to prevent its ftirring: Thus it con- 
tinued fafe till I went to Bed 5 but, in the Morning, 
upon opening the faid Door, I was furprifed to find 
my Tube in Shivers, except about three Inches, as 
if it had been broke with a fmart Blow of a Hammer. 
The Cupboard is over the Fire-place, and fo near it, 
that I think it impoflible it fhould ever have been quite 
cold i and the Window where it was firft put is fo 
near the Fire, and its being laid on the Seat of the 
Window, a Foot below the Safh, it could not be 
much affeded with the Air from thence. — — The 
Weather was frofty, but the Tube from firft to laft 
never out of the Room* and I am fare never had 
any Blow. 
The Stick of Brimftonc I laft made, with which I 
kindled Lamp Spirits fo readily, as I informed you 
before, was fet up in the foremention’d Cupboard 
in an ered Pofture, has loft all its eledric Virtue, 
and cannot be made to attrad a Down-Feather, or 
a fine Thread. This I know not how to account 
for, unlefs it be, that the expofing it to the Air, by its 
not being wrapt up in any thing, may have deprived 
it of its Power: For, if I mifremember not, Stephen 
Gray ufed to keep his Sulphur conic Bodies, c£ift in 
Winc-Glafy in a Box, and wrapt up in Flannel * 
however 
