[ 34-8 ] 
The machine was fufpended by (ilk lines, in fuch 
a manner, that every part of it was not lefs than 
two feet diftant from any non-eleCtric. The lines 
were dried by a chafing-di(h of fire made with char- 
coal, as was likewife the glafs globe; and every 
other precaution was ftriCtly obferved, that feemed 
necefiary for making the experiments. 
The DoCtor appeared to be well verfed in electri- 
cal inquiries, and (hewed great judgment in conduct- 
ing the whole. He got upon the fufpended appara- 
tus himfelf, and rubbed the globe with both his 
hands ; whilft another perfon, who was likewife fuf- 
pended, turned the wheel of the machine. Clofe 
to the globe was a (lender (lip of lead ; at one end of 
which was faltened fome brafs tinfel, to ferve as a col- 
lector of the eleCtric matter. The other end of the 
lead had a communication with a tin tube, which was 
fupported by filk lines about a foot in length : and 
as this tube hung higher than I could reach, another 
was hooked to it by means of a wire which hung 
down to a convenient diftance. 
As I flood upon the floor, I took hold of this lad 
tube, whilft the glafs was rubbed, that the apparatus , 
and the perfons on it, might lofe as much of their 
natural eleClricity as poflible under fuch circumftances. 
On removing my hand, and afterwards approaching 
the tube, fometimes with my finger, and at other 
times with a key, we obferved very fmall explofions, 
which were little more than juft fenfible. 
I then defired one of the Doctor’s fervants (who 
likewife ftood upon the floor) to lay hold of the fuf- 
pended apparatus on which the DoCtor was mounted, 
whilft the friction of the globe was continued. Im- 
mediately 
