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It must be evident indeed, even to a superficial observer, that electricity 
is no trivial or confined subject; because there is no body in nature that is 
not acted upon in a greater or less degree by this wonderful agent. 
The importance of the electric fluid in the system of the world, is con¬ 
firmed by a consideration of those phenomena in which it is concerned, and 
which take place without the concurrent operation of man. 
Thus several fishes possess the property of giving the electric shock. The 
torpedo, and one or more species of eels, from Surinam, if touched by the 
hand, a metal rod, or any other conductor, give a considerable shock to the 
arm, but may be safely touched by a bit of sealing-wax. The shock depends 
on the will of the fish, and is transmitted to a great distance; so that if per¬ 
sons in a ship happen to dip their fingers or feet in the sea, where the fish is 
swimming at the distance of fifteen feet, they will be affected therewith. 
Otto Guericke, burgomaster of Madgeburgh, first made a globe of 
Milphur , and by whirling it about in a wooden frame, and rubbing it at the 
same time with his hand, he performed various electrical experiments. He 
added to the stock of knowledge the discovery, that a body once attracted by 
an excited electric was repelled by it, and not attracted again till it had 
touched some other body. Thus he was able to keep a feather suspended in 
the air over his globe of sulphur; but he observed, if he drove it near a linen 
thread, or the flame of a candle, it instantly recovered its propensity (if I 
may use the expression) for approaching the globe again. “ The hissing noise,” 
and the "gleam of light which his globe afforded, both attracted his notice.” 
These circumstances were, however, afterwards more accurately remarked 
by Dr. Wall, who, by rubbing amber upon a woollen substance in the dark, 
found also that light was produced in considerable quantities, accompanied 
with a crackling noise; and what " is still more extraordinary,” he adds, 
this light and crackling seems, in some degree, to represent thunder and 
lightning.” 
That the electric fluid and lightning were the same was, however, first 
demonstrated by the great Dr. Franklin. Fie early observed the power that 
points possess in drawing off the electricity of bodies, and thence inferred that 
a pointed metallic bar, if insulated at a considerable height in the air, would 
become electrical by communication from the clouds during a thunder-storm. 
The first apparatus that exhibited this ethereal body was that of Mens. 
Dalibard, at Morly-la-ville, about six leagues from Paris. 
