X)bfervations in TLleEiricity. 133 
a fmall wire ; the balls then appearing, on examination, 
to be little more than the fcorice of the metal. The effect 
of electricity, lightning, and fire, in deftroying the power 
of the artificial or natural magnets, is a circumftance that 
hath been often remarked, and repeatedly publifhed. 
The effects of electricity, in common with fire, on proof- 
fpirit, gun-powder, pbofphorus , dry lint, and many other 
fubftances, mult occur to every gentleman converfant in 
thefe experiments ; indeed the parallel might be conti- 
nued much further. But it may be afked, if this be 
really the faCt, fhould not metals become eleCtrical by 
friCtion ? I anfwer, they are readily excited, provided they 
be firft properly infulated; (but if metal be rubbed 
againft metal, the phlogifton or latent fire, if I may be 
allowed the expreffion, is fo nearly proportioned in the 
two metals, that the equilibrium is reftored as foon as 
deftroyed, from the very nature of the bafe, which is the 
moft perfeCt conductor we are acquainted with) to il- 
luftrate this, let it be remembered, that though the 
hydroftatic paradox may be readily explained, yet the 
fluid muft be confined in a proper veffel ; and 
though the weight, the fpring, and the compreffibi- 
lity of the air, be eafily demonftrable, a fuitable appa- 
ratus muft neceffarily be employed for each purpofe. 
it 
