xx ()j the Method of rendering very fenjible 
is proportionably lefs, viz. a greater quantity of eledtricity is 
in that cafe required, in order to raife its intenfity to a given 
degree; fo that the capacity is inverfely as the intenfity \ by 
which word I mean the endeavour by which the eledtricity of. 
an eledtrified body tends to efcape from all the parts of it, to 
which tendency or endeavour the eledtrical phenomena of at- 
tradtion, repuliion, and efpecially the degree of elevation of 
an eledlrometer, correfpond. 
33. That the intenfity of electricity mu ft be inverfely propor- 
tional to the capacity of the body eledtrified, will be clearly 
exemplified by the following experiment. Take two metal rods 
of equal diameter, but one of them a foot, and the other five 
feet long ; and let the firft be eledtrified lb high as that the 
index of an eledlrometer annexed to it may be elevated to 6o°; 
then let this eledtrified rod touch the other rod, and in that cafe 
it is evident, that the intenfity of the eledtricity, by being parted 
between the two rods, will be diminiftied in proportion as the ca- 
pacity is increafed ; fo that the index of the eledlrometer, which 
before was elevated to 6o°, will now fall to io°, viz. to one-fixth 
of the former intenfity, becaufe now the capacity is fix times 
greater than when the fame quantity of eledtricity was con- 
fined to the firft rod alone. For the fame reafon, if the faid 
quantity of eledtricity was to be communicated to a rod fixty 
times longer, its intenfity would be diminifhed to one degree ; 
and, on the contrary, if the eledtricity of this long conductor 
was to be contradted into the fixtieth part of that capacity, its 
intenfity would be increafed to 6o°. 
34. Now not only condudtors of different bulk have dif- 
ferent capacities for holding eledtricity, but alfo the capacity of 
the fame condudtor may be increafed or diminifhed by various 
circumftances, fome of which have not yet been properly con- 
iidered. It has been obferved, that the capacity of the fame 
condudtor is increafed or diminifhed in proportion as its furface 
is enlarged or contradted, as is fhewn by Dr. franklin’s expe- 
riment of the can and chain, and various other experiments, 
from which it has been concluded, that the capacity of con- 
dudtors 
