Mr . Read's Meteorological Journal 
Days. Wind. Barom. Ther. Sparks. Pos. Neg. 
Inches. 
o 
the rod was electrified positively; the 
pith balls soon opened full four inches, 
and by and by the bell began to ring 
slowly. Two gentlemen fortunately be- 
ing present, and much delighted with 
the sight, by my desire joined hands 
with me to make the circuit between 
the bell and brass ball N, and on tak- 
ing a spark at the brass ball, we all 
received a smart shock through our 
arms and breasts. The wind is now S. 
with a heavy fall of rain ; the bell (as 
usual) now ceases to ring while the 
electricity changes to negative : then 
rings again briskly. The electricity 
gradually changed twice after this, and 
ended negative. These several pheno- 
mena took up one hour. 
positive. Near midnight London was 
visited by vivid darts of lightning, and 
repeated explosions of thunder, ex- 
tremely awful and terrific at that time 
of night. I was in bed, and awaked out 
of sleep by it. 
Seven o’clock P.M. positive with small 
sparks. Nine o’clock, fell a heavy shower 
of rain; its electricity was negative. 
showery, and the electricity rather 
strong, but often changing in kind. Se- 
ven o’clock P.M. one uniform black 
cloud darkens the air (yet the sun 
shines in the west); by and by a heavy 
rain fell, by which the rod became very 
strongly electrified positively, the bell 
rings briskly, and the pith balls are 
agitated with sudden jerks ; the rain 
abates, and the electricity becomes ne- 
gative. These operations of nature 
lasted only 34 minutes ; during that 
time, the electricity was four times po- 
sitive, and five times negative ; and 
these several changes were all gradual. 
atmosphere have been this day nearly 
the same as on the preceding one. 
N 29.98 69 o — neg. A.M. A small rain. In the afternoon 
28 NE 30. 61 small — neg. By the night bottle. A heavy thick air. 
29 SE 30. 69 
30 SW 30. 6 63 
o 
strong 
pos. — A.M. and P.M. 
pos. — At seven o’clock A.M. the weather 
N 30. 58 strong — neg. The weather, and the electricity of the 
