[ 3 8 i ] 
iflfuing from other bodies, pafles through the air, 
and, in the form of converging rays, enters into the 
body electrified. From thence he concludes, that 
a continued, and (to ufe his own terms) fimulta- 
neous * effluence and affluence of a fluid matter, 
extremely fubtile, conftitutes electricity. Upon 
this principle he endeavours to account for all the 
phenomena that attend the electrification of bo- 
dies. 
What M. l’Abbe Nollet has obferved with regard 
to two contrary currents in electricity, is by no means 
inconfiftent with the principle of two diftinCt counter- 
acting powers. On the contrary, the exiflence of two 
fuch currents is, according to my opinion, a neceflary 
confequence of the exertion of thofe powers from one 
body upon another. It is a phenomenon of eleCtricity 
only; not the principle upon which all, eleCtrical ap- 
pearances depend. 
But a more eflential difference takes place between 
this gentleman’s opinion and mine : he reprefents the 
two currents as confifting but of one and the fame 
* « Ces deux courans qui ont des mouvemens oppofes, ont lieu 
“ tous deux enfemble, e’eft ce que j’exprime par le mot fimul- 
“ tanes.” Lettres fur P eleftricite, p. 30. 
f “ L’ele&ricite, comme je l’ai deja dit et prouve ailleurs, n’eft 
“ pas feulment l’emanation d’une matiere qui s’elance du corps 
il ele&rise ; e’eft auffi un remplacement continuel qui fe fait de 
“ cette matiere, par une autre tout-a-fait femblable, qui fe porte 
“ de toutes parts au corps ele&rise ; e’eft pour ainfi dire, un com- 
“ merce de la matiere qui j’ai nommee effluente, et de celle que 
“ j’ai appellee affluente. Si celle*ci vient a manquer, ou que la 
64 premiere n’ait plus la liberte de fortir, cet etat ou ce double 
“ mouvementy que Ton nomme eleftricite, doit bien-tot cefTer.” 
44 EJJai fur rdefiridte, p. 202. 
fluid $ 
