C ‘86 3 
yiL Thoughts and Experiments concern^ 
ing Eledtrlcity, hy J. T. Defaguliers, ZL. 2). 
HE Thanomena ofEIeftricity are fo odd, that 
though we have a great many Experiments 
upon that Subjedi we have not yet been able from 
their Comparifon to fettle fuch a Theory as to lead 
us to the Caufe of that Property of Bodies, or even 
to judge of all its Effeds, or find out what ufeful 
Influence Eledricity has in Nature*: Though cer- 
tainly, from what we have feen of it, we may con- 
jedure, that it mufl; be of great Ufe, becaufe it is fo 
cxtenfive. 
Though fome Perfons have been too hafty in their 
Conjedures, and too apt to run into Hypothefes not 
fufficiently fupportcd by Experiments j yet it would 
be of great Ufe to fettle fome general Propofitions 
concerning Eledricity from the Light we have already, 
and what we may further difcover by future Experi- 
ments ,• provided we have a fufficient Number of 
them to fettle a general Rule. For Example j I now- 
propofc fome general AfTertions to be conflcjefd,: 
and to be rejeded or allowed of as a Number of Ex- 
periments fhall determine i but to ftand only as 
,^eries till they are fettled. 
I have hitherto avoided entertaining the Society 
upon this Subjed, or purfuing it fo far as I might 
have done, (confidering that I can excite as ftrong an 
Eledricity in Glafs, by rubbing it with my Hand, 
as any body can) becaufe 1 was unwilling to interfere 
F. R. S. 
with 
