[ S 6 7 3 
trie matter with that of lightning completely demon-, 
ftrated. 
I was pleated to hear of the fuccefs of my experi- 
ments in France, and that they there begin to eredt 
points upon their buildings. W e had before placed 
them upon our academy and ftate-houfe fpires. 
XCVI. A Letter of Mr. W. Watfon, R R. S. 
to the Royal Society, concerning the eleEiri- 
cal Experiments in England ^^Thunder- 
Clouds. 
To the Royal Society. 
Gentlemen, 
Read Dec. 21, A FTER. the communications, which 
1752. vve have received from feveral of 
our correfpondents in different parts of the continent, 
acquainting us with the fuccefs of their experiments 
laft fummer, in endeavouring to extradt the eledtricity 
from the atmofphere during a thunder-florin, in con- 
fequence of Mr. Franklin’s hypothecs, it may be 
thought extraordinary, that no accounts have been 
yet laid before you, of our fuccefs here from the fame 
experiments. That no want of attention, therefore, 
may be attributed to thofe here, who have been hi- 
therto con verfant in thefe inquiries, I thought pro- 
per to apprife you, that, though feveral members of 
the Royal Society, as well as myfelf, did, upon the 
firft advices from France, prepare and fet up the ne- 
ceffary apparatus' for this purpofe, we were defeated 
in our expedtations, from the uncommon coolnefs and 
dampnefs 
