[ 905 ] 
the Dutch wax is fofter than the Englifh, and the 
Irifli harder : and it is not improbable that the French 
wax, which I fuppofe the Abbe Nollet ufed, may 
like wife be different. 
Whoever, therefore, may be defi rous of trying the 
preceding experiments, with a view to make them fuc- 
ceed, as they are here fet down, muff ufe the beji 
Englijh [eating wax. 
1 fhall conclude with an experiment made by my 
friend Mr, Hamilton , profeffor of philofophy in the 
univerfity of Dublin, as it feems to illuffrate the 
doCtrine of refinances , at lead;, fo far as refpeCts the 
air. 
Let a flender brafs, or iron wire, five or fix inches 
long, and finely pointed at each end, be fitted in the 
middle,- with a brafs cap, void of angles ; then let 
half an inch at each extremity be bent in oppofite 
directions, till they are. perpendicular to the reft of 
the wire, and in fuch a manner, that when the wire 
is fufpended, by means of its cap,* on a point of 
metal, . it may lie in. a plane parallel to the horizon. 
The pointed metal, which fupports this wire, muff 
be two or three inches long, and have its other end ■ 
fixed into a fmall block of wood. Now, if this block, „ 
with a wire fufpended, be fet upon an electrified 
body, the wire will turn round with a very great ve- 
locity, moving always in a direction contrary to that 
in which the eleCtric. fluid iflues from its • points, 
without having any conducting fubfiance near it, fave 
that of- the air : and if the wire be made to turn round 
by any other force, in the oppofite direction, fo that 
its points go foremoA, it will, when electrified,- foon 
be 
