Obfervaiions on Electricity. 283 
33. When we confider that our machines can caufe a ball of 
an inch and half diameter to act like a point, and that our 
apparatus makes a point ad like a ball ; if at the fame time we 
remark the fmall elevation of our condudors for lightning 
above the extended furface of the ground, and the fmall fize of 
the balls propofed by fome to be ufed as terminations; the dis- 
pute, which was fo much agitated refpeding them, will per- 
haps be found to relate to a very minute circumftance, among 
the many which govern the great operations of nature. It 
does not feem probable, that any condudor would ad filently 
If the main courfe of the eledricity of a negative cloud were 
to pafs through it, and many would probably receive the ftroke 
from a pofitive cloud. It does not, however, follow from, 
this, that they might not condud it with fafety. 
f v . 
' 1 
Sect. III. Of compenfated Electricity . 
34. It is unneceffary to infill upon what is called the equi- 
librium of an eledrical charge, becaufe Dr. Franklin has 
admirably explained it according to his hypothefis. But there 
is another important particular, which has been almoft entirely 
overlooked, namely, the uncompenfated eledricity which 
is as eflential to the charge as that which is in equi- 
libria, Whenever a jar is charged, the greateft part of 
the eledricity becomes latent on account of the compenfa- 
tion ; but there is a certain proportion which remains on the 
infulated fide, and exerts its force to prevent the eledricity 
from returning to the outer furface. In moderate intenfities* 
this will explode, and carry the charge with it, to diftances 
which are in proportion to the quantity of the charge itfelf ; 
but in greater intenfities the diftances greatly exceed that pro- 
portion. With glafles of different thicknefles, this mtenfity* 
