[ 1022 ] 
XLVII. A ready Way of lighting -a Candle, by a very mo- 
derate EleBrical Spark . By J ohn Ingenhoufz, M. D. 
F. R. S . 
Read July 9, T -p j las been long known that an electrical 
77 "®" fpark will kindle fpirit of wine, efpecially 
-when previoufly warmed; and that vitriolic aether will 
be kindled by a very moderate fpark, even when cold. 
However, I never faw an electrician who made a com- 
mon ufe of this experiment to light his candle when he 
had occalion for it. The reafon is, becaufe though it 
may be done without much danger of failing in the at- 
tempt, yet it requires fome trouble to prepare every thing 
necelfary for making the experiment anfwer with cer- 
tainty. Befides, tether is very precious, and is ealily loft 
by evaporation before the electric power is excited, or 
before every thing is quite ready for performing the ex- 
periment. 
I ufed to light my candle a good while ago by the ex- 
plofion of a fmall jar (by fmall I underhand one which 
6 has 
