C 3+3 ] 
judged to be effential; and happening at that time to 
wear filk flockings with thin worfled under them, I 
kept to the ufe of thefe, and found it a convenient 
circumftance in the courfe of my experiments. 
As fome may have the curiofity to examine the 
obfervations I prefent them with, by experiments of 
their own making $ before I proceed further, I fhall 
furnifh them with a few remarks, which may enable 
them to make their experiments with more eafe and 
certainty, than if they fet out unacquainted with 
fome circumflances, which I have learnt from expe- 
rience. 
One of the firft things to be attended to, is the 
weather, which has an influence on all electrical ex- 
periments, but upon none more than thofe which 
relate to this branch of electricity. The mod favour- 
able weather is that which is dry and clear, and, if a 
little frofty, fo much the better. In general, when 
the quickfilver in the barometer riles, and the fire 
burns remarkably brifk and clear, we may expeCt a 
confiderable appearance of electricity: at other times, 
it is better not to attempt the experiment. 
When the weather is favourable, it is not necef- 
fary to wear the flockings all day: That, indeed, raifes 
the eleClrical power to the highefl degree ; yet, pro- 
vided they be dry, and made warm by the fire, be- 
fore they are put upon the leg, their continuance upon 
it for a very fhort time, prepares them fuffi'ciently for 
exhibiting vifible proofs of eleClricity. If this fhould 
not anfwer upon the fir ft trial, the operation may be 
repeated two or three times, to bring them into a 
proper difpofition to receive the eleCtrical virtue; and 
this is no more than what is found to be fometimes 
neceffary 
2 
