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It consists of a bar of the length of forty feet, and was electrified on the 
10th of May If 52, for the space of an hour, during which time it emitted 
sparks, of two inches in length, which crackled like sparks issuing from an 
electrified conductor. 
Dr. Franklin, about a month after this, devised a more certain method of 
ascertaining this curious hypothesis. 
Instead of a rod, it occurred to him that he could have a readier and 
better access to the regions of thunder by means of a common kite. 
He accordingly adjusted a silk handkerchief to two sticks placed cross¬ 
wise. At the approach of the first storm he repaired to a field where there 
was an out-house conveniently situated for his experiment; and in order to 
obviate the ridicule that but too commonly accompanies unsuccessful attempts 
for the promotion of the sciences, he took care to communicate his intentions 
to no one but his son, whose assistance was absolutely necessary upon this 
occasion. 
Having launched his kite into the air, with a pointed wire fixed to the 
end of it, he soon succeeded so far as to elevate it to the proper height. It 
was a long time before he discovered the least appearances of electricity. A 
dense black cloud had already passed over his head without any effect what¬ 
ever, and he began actually to despair of success, when happening to look 
with more than ordinary attention, he at length perceived a lambent flame to 
stream along the hempen cord. The lightning (for it was actually such!) 
descended along the string, and was received by an iron key tied to the 
extremity of it, while this was connected with his hand by means of a piece 
of silken cord. 
What must have been his joy, when presenting his knuckles to the key 
at the end of the hempen string, he felt an electric shock, and found out that 
his discovery was complete! 
He now clearly perceived the electric sparks; more followed in succession, 
and when the string became humid by means of the rain, it conducted the 
electric fluid with still greater freedom, so that it would stream out plentifully 
from the key, at the approach of a person’s finger. At this key he charged 
phials, and from electric fire thus obtained, kindled spirits, and performed all 
other electrical experiments which are usually exhibited by means of an 
excited globe or tube. 
This memorable and indeed wonderful experiment took place in June lf52. 
2 Q 
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