i *42 3 
conftitution, and that it is upon this that 
the mode of exigence of electricity in 
them depends. No reafoning, no expe¬ 
riments will perhaps ever teach us how it 
happens that this fluid does not maintain 
its equilibrium in them, or how it comes 
that it can be found in a ftate for conftant 
aCtion, or for aCting only under certain 
circumftances; 
Iron, fteel, and nickel, poflfefs the power 
of magnetifm, and they certainly enjoy it 
in confequence of the difpofition and ar¬ 
rangement of their parts. But who will 
ever know the nature of this difpofition 
and arrangement of parts ? If magnetifm 
be an eflfeCt of electricity, as many cir- 
eumftances would lead us to believe, is it 
not a farther proof that electricity is capa¬ 
ble of producing phenomena in bodies, 
according to their quality and ftruCture ? 
But although thefe reflections may ap¬ 
pear plaufible, yet in order to eftablifii not 
the 
