8o6 D/'.^musgb ave’s Reafons for diffenting 
them, after detecting the fallacy of his experiments, to 
pafs it over in filence ; of which improper partiality I do 
not know that they are fo much as fufpeCted. What 
therefore the committee, after a drift fcrutiny of the 
matter, did not think themfelves warranted to fay, I take 
for granted they would not infinuate; and that therefore 
fuch infatuations can only arife from the levity of more 
obfeure perfons, puzzled perhaps by the feeming con- 
tradiction between Mr. Wilson’s experiments and thofe 
of Mr. nairne, and too impatient to inveftigate the real 
caufes of that difference. 
I am perfuaded, however, that the known property of 
fharp points to carry off electricity filently, when the 
quantity is fmall, together with that other principle, 
which I apprehend I have here eltablifhed, that they 
ceafe to do fo when the quantity is large; that thefe two 
(taken together) will clear up the whole difficulty, and 
account for Mr. nairne’s experiments, without any im- 
peachment to thofe of Mr. wilson. I have already had 
occalion, in the courfe of this argument, to conlider two 
of thofe experiments, of which therefore I fhall fay no 
more; but proceed, without further digreffion, to exa- 
mine thofe that remain. 
The firft I fhall mention is that, in which the prime 
conductor, being previoufly charged with electricity, a 
fharp 
