It was not only by his demonstration that lightning is identical with
electricity that Franklin did an important work in connection with electrical
science. He is also entitled to great credit for the stimulus imparted by his
experiments and writings to further discoveries in this field. Franklin was
by far the most practical among the natural philosophers of his time; and the
development of science in the knowledge and application of electricity has
continued to reflect upon mankind his genius for the useful.
The ancients had no scientific acquaintance with electricity. The early
Greeks, so far as known, observed but a single phenomenon in connection with
it - the electrification of amber by friction. Aristotle and Pliny note the
production of electricity by certain fishes, especially the torpedo, a ray
possessing an electrical apparatus with which it kills or stuns its prey and
defends itself against its enemies. Not before the sixteenth century of the
Christian era was there any recorded scientific study of electrical phenomena.
The early predecessors of Franklin, such as Gilbert, Boyle, and others, are
considered to have created the science of electricity and magnetism. The
invention of the Leyden jar or vial, in 1745, said to have been "hit upon by
at least three persons working independently," was a very important advance.
The work of Franklin, following so soon upon the then latest step of
progress in Europe, is best made known to the world through his own writings,
particularly in the letters, selected by Bigelow, which appear in the present
account of the philosopher's experiments.
While on a visit to Boston in 1746 Franklin witnessed some electrical
experiments performed by a Mr. Spence, recently arrived from Scotland. Shortly
after his return to Philadelphia the Library Company received from Mr.
Collinson, of London, and a member of the Royal Society, a glass tube, with
instructions for making experiments with it. With this tube Franklin began a
course of experiments which resulted in discoveries which, humanly speaking,
seem to be exerting a larger material influence upon the industries of the
world than any other discovery of the human intellect. Dr. Stuber, then a
resident of Philadelphia, and author of the first continuation of Franklin's
Life, who seems to have enjoyed peculiar opportunities of obtaining full and
authentic information upon the subject, gives us the following account of the
observations which this letter brought for the first time to the notice of the
world through Mr. Collinson.
"His observations," says Dr. Stuber, "he communicated, in a series of
letters, to his friend Collinson, the first of which is dated March 28, 1747.
In these he shows the power of points in drawing and throwing off the
electrical matter which had hitherto escaped the notice of electricians. He
also made the grand discovery of a plus and minus, or of a positive and
negative, state of electricity. We give him the honor of this without
hesitation; although the English have claimed it for their countryman, Dr.
Watson. Watson's paper is dated January 21, 1748; Franklin's July 11, 1747,
several months prior. Shortly after Franklin, from his principles of the plus
and minus state, explained in a satisfactory manner the phenomena of the
Leyden vial, first observed by Mr. Cuneus, or by Professor Muschenbroeck, of
Leyden, which had much perplexed philosophers. He showed clearly that when
charged the bottle contained no more electricity than before, but that as much
was taken from one side as was thrown on the other; and that to discharge it
nothing was necessary but to produce a communication between the two sides, by
which the equilibrium might be restored, and that then no sign of electricity
would remain. He afterward demonstrated by experiments that the electricity
did not reside in the coating, as had been supposed, but in the pores of the
glass itself. After a vial was charged he removed the coating, and found that
upon applying a new coating the shock might still be received. In the year
1749 he first suggested his idea of explaining the phenomena of thunder-gusts
and of the aurora borealis upon electrical principles. He points out many
particulars in which lightning and electricity agree, and he adduces many
facts, and reasonings from facts, in support of his positions.
"In the same year he received the astonishingly bold and grand idea of
ascertaining the truth of his doctrine by actually drawing down the lightning,
by means of sharp-pointed iron rods raised into the region of the clouds.
Even in this uncertain state his passion to be useful to mankind displayed
itself in a powerful manner. Admitting the identity of electricity and
lightning, and knowing the power of points in repelling bodies charged with
electricity, and in conducting their fires silently and imperceptibly, he
suggested the idea of securing houses, ships, etc., from being damaged by
lightning, by erecting pointed rods that should rise some feet above the most
elevated part, and descend some feet into the ground or water. The effect of
these he concluded would be either to prevent a stroke by repelling the cloud
beyond the striking distance, or by drawing off the electrical fire which it
contained; or, if they could not effect this, they would at least conduct the
electric matter to the earth without any injury to the building.
"It was not till the summer of 1752 that he was enabled to complete his
grand and unparalleled discovery by experiment. The plan which he had
originally proposed was to erect, on some high tower or other elevated place,
a sentry-box, from which should rise a pointed iron rod, insulated by being
fixed in a cake of resin. Electrified clouds passing over this would, he
conceived, impart to it a portion of their electricity, which would be
rendered evident to the senses by sparks being emitted when a key, the
knuckle, or other conductor was presented to it. Philadelphia at this time
afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind. While Franklin
was waiting for the erection of a spire, it occurred to him that he might have
more ready access to the region of clouds by means of a common kite. He
prepared one by fastening two cross sticks to a silken handkerchief, which
would not suffer so much from the rain as paper. To the upright stick was
affixed an iron point. The string was, as usual, of hemp, except the lower
end, which was silk. Where the hempen string terminated, a key was fastened.
With this apparatus, on the appearance of a thunder-gust approaching he went
out into the commons, accompanied by his son, to whom alone he communicated
his intentions, well knowing the ridicule which, too generally for the
interest of science, awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy. He placed
himself under a shed, to avoid the rain; his kite was raised, a thunder-cloud
passed over it, no sign of electricity appeared. He almost despaired of
success, when suddenly he observed the loose fibres of his string to move
toward an erect position. He now presented his knuckle to the key and
received a strong spark. How exquisite must his sensations have been at this
moment! On this experiment depended the fate of his theory. If he succeeded,
his name would rank high among those who had improved science; if he failed,
he must inevitably be subjected to the derision of mankind, or, what is worse,
their pity, as a well-meaning man, but a weak, silly projector. The anxiety
with which he looked for the result of his experiment may be easily conceived.
Doubts and despair had begun to prevail, when the fact was ascertained, in so
clear a manner that even the most incredulous could no longer withhold their
assent. Repeated sparks were drawn from the key, a vial was charged, a shock
given, and all the experiments made which are usually performed with
electricity.
"About a month before this period some ingenious Frenchman had completed
the discovery in the manner originally proposed by Dr. Franklin. The letters
which he sent to Mr. Collinson, it is said, were refused a place in the
Transactions of the Royal Society of London. However this may be, Collinson
published them in a separate volume, under the title of New Experiments and
Observations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia, in America. They were read
with avidity, and soon translated into different languages. A very incorrect
French translation fell into the hands of the celebrated Buffon, who,
notwithstanding the disadvantages under which the work labored, was much
pleased with it, and repeated the experiments with success. He prevailed on
his friend, M. Dalibard, to give his countrymen a more correct translation of
the works of the American electrician. This contributed much toward spreading
a knowledge of Franklin's principles in France. The King, Louis XV, hearing
of these experiments, expressed a wish to be a spectator of them. A course of
experiments was given at the seat of the Duc d'Ayen, at St. Germain, by M. de
Lor. The applause which the King bestowed upon Franklin excited in Buffon,
Dalibard, and De Lor an earnest desire of ascertaining the truth of his theory
of thunder-gusts. Buffon erected his apparatus on the tower of Montbar, M.
Dalibard at Marly-la-Ville, and De Lor at his house in the Estrapade at Paris,
some of the highest ground in that capital. Dalibard's machine first showed
signs of electricity. On May 16, 1752, a thunder-cloud passed over it, in the
absence of M. Dalibard, and a number of sparks were drawn from it by Coiffier,
joiner, with whom Dalibard had left directions how to proceed and by M.
Paulet, the prior of Marly-la-Ville.
"An account of this experiment was given to the Royal Academy of
Sciences, by M. Dalibard, in a memoir dated May 13, 1752. On May 18th, M. de
Lor proved equally as successful with the apparatus erected at his own house.
These philosophers soon excited those of other parts of Europe to repeat the
experiment; among whom none signalized themselves more than Father Beccaria,
of Turin, to whose observations science is much indebted. Even the cold
regions of Russia were penetrated by the ardor of discovery. Professor
Richmann bade fair to add much to the stock of knowledge on this subject, when
an unfortunate flash from his conductor put a period to his existence.
"By these experiments Franklin's theory was established in the most
convincing manner.
"Besides these great principles Franklin's letters on electricity contain
a number of facts and hints which have contributed greatly toward reducing
this branch of knowledge to a science. His friend, Mr. Kinnersley,
communicated to him a discovery of the different kinds of electricity excited
by rubbing glass and sulphur. This was first observed by M. du Faye, but it
was for many years neglected. The philosophers were disposed to account for
the phenomena rather from a difference in the quantity of electricity
collected, and even Du Faye himself seems to have at last adopted this
doctrine. Franklin at first entertained the same idea, but upon repeating the
experiments he perceived that Mr. Kinnersley was right, and that the vitreous
and resinous electricity of Du Faye were nothing more than the positive and
negative states, which he had before observed, and that the glass globe
charged positively, or increased, the quantity of electricity on the prime
conductor, while the globe of sulphur diminished its natural quantity, or
charged negatively. These experiments and observations opened a new field for
investigation, upon which electricians entered with avidity; and their labors
have added much to the stock of our knowledge.
"Franklin's letters have been translated into most of the European
languages, and into Latin. In proportion as they have become known, his
principles have been adopted."
In speaking of the first publication of his papers on electricity,
Franklin himself says: "Obliged as we were to Mr. Collinson for the present of
the tube, etc., I thought it right he should be informed of our success in
using it, and wrote him several letters containing accounts of our
experiments. He got them read in the Royal Society, where they were at first
not thought worth so much notice as to be printed in their Transactions. One
paper, which I wrote to Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of lightning with
electricity, I sent to Mr. Mitchel, an acquaintance of mine, and one of the
members also of that society, who wrote me word that it had been read, but was
laughed at by the connoisseurs. The papers, however, being shown to Dr.
Fothergill, he thought them of too much value to be stifled, and advised the
printing of them. Mr. Collinson then gave them to Cave for publication in his
Gentleman's Magazine, but he chose to print them separately in a pamphlet, and
Dr. Fothergill wrote the preface. Cave, it seemed, judged rightly for his
profession, for by the additions that arrived afterward they swelled to a
quarto volume, which has had five editions and cost him nothing for
copy-money."
The following is an extract from the preface to the first edition of the
pamphlet published by Cave, as above mentioned:
"It may be necessary to acquaint the reader that the following
observations and experiments were not drawn up with the view to their being
made public, but were communicated at different times, and most of them in
letters, written on various topics, as matter only of private amusement.
"But some persons to whom they were read, and who had themselves been
conversant in electrical disquisitions, were of opinion they contained so many
curious and interesting particulars relative to this affair, that it would be
doing a kind of injustice to the public to confine them solely to the limits
of a private acquaintance.
"The editor was therefore prevailed upon to commit such extracts of
letters and other detached pieces as were in his hands to the press, without
waiting for the ingenious author's permission so to do; and this was done with
the less hesitation, as it was apprehended the author's engagements in other
affairs would scarce afford him leisure to give the public his reflections and
experiments on the subject, finished with that care and precision of which the
treatise before us shows he is alike studious and capable."
Dr. Priestley, in his History of Electricity, published in the year 1767,
gives a full account of Franklin's experiments and discoveries.
"Nothing was ever written upon the subject of electricity," he says,
"which was more generally read and admired in all parts of Europe than these
letters. There is hardly any European language into which they have not been
translated; and, as if this were not sufficient to make them properly known, a
translation of them has lately been made into Latin. It is not easy to say
whether we are most pleased with the simplicity and perspicuity with which
these letters are written, the modesty with which the author proposes every
hypothesis of his own, or the noble frankness with which he relates his
mistakes, when they were corrected by subsequent experiments.
"Though the English have not been backward in acknowledging the great
merit of this philosopher, he has had the singular good-fortune to be,
perhaps, even more celebrated abroad than at home; so that, to form a just
idea of the great and deserved reputation of Dr. Franklin, we must read the
foreign publications on the subject of electricity, in many of which the terms
'Franklinism,' 'Franklinist,' and the 'Franklinian System' occur in almost
every page. In consequence of this, Dr. Franklin's principles bid fair to be
handed down to posterity as equally expressive of the true principles of
electricity, as the Newtonian philosophy is of the system of nature in
general."
The observations and theories of Franklin met with high favor in France,
where his experiments were repeated and the results verified to the admiration
of the scientific world. In the year 1753 his friend Peter Collinson wrote to
him from London: "The King of France strictly commands the Abbe Mazeas to
write a letter in the politest terms to the Royal Society, to return the
King's thanks and compliments, in an express manner, to Mr. Franklin, of
Pennsylvania, for his useful discoveries in electricity, and the application
of pointed rods to prevent the terrible effect of thunder-storms." And the
same Mr. Collinson wrote as follows to the Reverend Jared Eliot, of
Connecticut, in a letter dated London, November 22, 1753: "Our friend Franklin
will be honored on St. Andrew's Day, the 30th instant, the anniversary of the
Royal Society, when the Right Honorable the Earl of Macclesfield will make an
oration on Mr. Franklin's new discoveries in electricity, and, as a reward and
encouragement, will bestow on him a gold medal." This ceremony accordingly
took place, and the medal was conferred.
"Philadelphia, 28 Mch., 1747.
"To Peter Collinson:
"Sir - Your kind present of an electric tube, with directions for using
it, has put several of us on making electrical experiments in which we have
observed some particular phenomena that we look upon to be new. I shall
therefore communicate them to you in my next, though possibly they may not be
new to you, as among the numbers daily employed in those experiments on your
side of the water, it is probable some one or other has hit upon the same
observations. For my own part, I never was before engaged in any study that
so totally engrossed my attention and my time as this has lately done; for
what with making experiments when I can be alone, and repeating them to my
friends and acquaintance, who, from the novelty of the thing, come continually
in crowds to see them, I have, during some months past, had little leisure for
anything else. I am, etc.,
"B. Franklin."
"Philadelphia, 11 July, 1747.
"To Peter Collinson:
"Sir - In my last I informed you that in pursuing our electrical
inquiries we had observed some particular phenomena which we looked upon to be
new, and of which I promised to give you some account, though I apprehended
they might not possibly be new to you, as so many hands are daily employed in
electrical experiments on your side of the water, some or other of which would
probably hit on the same observations.
"The first thing is the wonderful effect of pointed bodies, both in
drawing off and throwing off the electrical fire. For example:
"Place an iron shot of three or four inches diameter on the mouth of a
clean, dry glass bottle. By a fine silken thread from the ceiling, right over
the mouth of the bottle, suspend a small cork ball about the bigness of a
marble, the thread of such a length as that the cork ball may rest against the
side of the shot. Electrify the shot, and the ball will be repelled to the
distance of four or five inches, more or less, according to the quantity of
electricity. When in this state, if you present to the shot the point of a
long, slender, sharp bodkin, at six or eight inches distance, the repellency
is instantly destroyed, and the cork flies to the shot. A blunt body must be
brought within an inch and draw a spark to produce the same effect. To prove
that the electrical fire is drawn off by the point, if you take the blade of
the bodkin out of the wooden handle and fix it in a stick of sealing-wax, and
then present it at the distance aforesaid, or if you bring it very near, no
such effect follows; but sliding one finger along the wax till you touch the
blade, the ball flies to the shot immediately. If you present the point in
the dark you will see, sometimes at a foot distance and more, a light gather
upon it, like that of a firefly or glow-worm; the less sharp the point, the
nearer you must bring it to observe the light, and at whatever distance you
see the light you may draw off the electrical fire and destroy the repellency.
If a cork ball so suspended be repelled by the tube, and a point be presented
quick to it, though at a considerable distance, it is surprising to see how
suddenly it flies back to the tube. Points of wood will do near as well as
those of iron, provided the wood is not dry, for perfectly dry wood will no
more conduct electricity than sealing-wax.
"To show that points will throw off as well as draw off the electrical
fire, lay a long sharp needle upon the shot, and you cannot electrize the shot
so as to make it repel the cork ball. Or fix a needle to the end of a
suspended gun-barrel or iron rod so as to point beyond it like a little
bayonet, and while it remains there the gun-barrel or rod cannot, by applying
the tube to the other end, be electrized so as to give a spark, the fire
continually running out silently at the point. In the dark you may see it
make the same appearance as it does in the case before mentioned.
"The repellency between the cork ball and the shot is likewise destroyed,
1st, by sifting fine sand on it - this does it gradually; 2dly, by breathing
on it; 3dly, by making a smoke about it from burning wood; 4thly, by
candle-light, even though the candle is at a foot distance - these do it
suddenly. The light of a bright coal from a wood fire, and the light of a
red-hot iron, do it likewise, but not at so great a distance. Smoke from dry
rosin dropped on hot iron does not destroy the repellency, but is attracted by
both shot and cork ball, forming proportionable atmospheres round them, making
them look beautifully, somewhat like some of the figures in Burnet's or
Whiston's Theory of the Earth.
"N.B. - This experiment should be made in a closet where the air is very
still, or it will be apt to fail.
"The light of the sun thrown strongly upon both cork and shot by a
looking-glass, for a long time together, does not impair the repellency in the
least. This difference between firelight and sunlight is another thing that
seems new and extraordinary to us.
"We had for some time been of opinion that the electrical fire was not
created by friction, but collected, being really an element diffused among and
attracted by other matter, particularly by water and metals. We had even
discovered and demonstrated its afflux to the electrical sphere, as well as
its efflux, by means of little, light windmill wheels made of stiff paper
vanes fixed obliquely, and turning freely on fine wire axes; also by little
wheels of the same matter, but formed like water-wheels. Of the disposition
and application of which wheels, and the various phenomena resulting, I could,
if I had time, fill you a sheet. The impossibility of electrizing one's self,
though standing on wax, by rubbing the tube, and drawing the fire from it; and
the manner of doing it by passing it near a person or thing standing on the
floor, etc., had also occurred to us some months before. Mr. Watson's
ingenious Sequel came to hand; and these were some of the new things I
intended to have communicated to you. But now I need only mention some
particulars not hinted in that piece, with our reasonings thereupon; though
perhaps the latter might well enough be spared.
"1. A person standing on wax and rubbing the tube, and another person on
wax drawing the fire, they will both of them (provided they do not stand so as
to touch one another) appear to be electrized to a person standing on the
floor; that is, he will perceive a spark on approaching each of them with his
knuckle.
"2. But if the persons on wax touch one another during the exciting of
the tube, neither of them will appear to be electrized.
"3. If they touch one another after exciting the tube, and drawing the
fire as aforesaid, there will be a stronger spark between them than was
between either of them and the person on the floor.
"4. After such strong spark neither of them discover any electricity.
"These appearances we attempt to account for thus: We suppose, as
aforesaid, that electrical fire is a common element, of which every one of the
three persons above mentioned has his equal share, before any operation is
begun with the tube. A, who stands on wax and rubs the tube, collects the
electrical fire from himself into the glass; and, his communication with the
common stock being cut off by the wax, his body is not again immediately
supplied. B (who stands on wax likewise), passing his knuckle along near the
tube, receives the fire which was collected by the glass from A; and his
communication with the common stock being likewise cut off, he retains the
additional quantity received. To C, standing on the floor, both appear to be
electrized; for he, having only the middle quantity of electrical fire,
receives a spark upon approaching B, who has an over quantity; but gives one
to A, who has an under quantity. If A and B approach to touch each other, the
spark is stronger, because the difference between them is greater. After such
touch there is no spark between either of them and C, because the electrical
fire in all is reduced to the original equality. If they touch while
electrizing, the equality is never destroyed, the fire only circulating.
Hence have arisen some new terms among us. We say B (and bodies like
circumstanced) is electrized positively; A, negatively. Or rather, B is
electrized plus; A, minus. And we daily in our experiments electrize bodies
plus or minus, as we think proper. To electrize plus or minus no more needs
to be known than this: that the parts of the tube or sphere that are rubbed
do, in the instant of the friction, attract the electrical fire, and therefore
take it from the thing rubbing; the same parts immediately, as the friction
upon them ceases, are disposed to give the fire they have received to any body
that has less. Thus you may circulate it as Mr. Watson has shown; you may
also accumulate it or subtract it, upon or from any body, as you connect that
body with the rubber or with the receiver, the communication with the common
stock being cut off. We think that ingenious gentleman was deceived when he
imagined (in his Sequel) that the electrical fire came down the wire from the
ceiling to the gun-barrel, thence to the sphere, and so electrized the machine
and the man turning the wheel, etc. We suppose it was driven off, and not
brought on through that wire; and that the machine and man, etc., were
electrized minus - that is, had less electrical fire in them than things in
common.
"As the vessel is just upon sailing, I cannot give you so large an
account of American electricity as I intended; I shall only mention a few
particulars more. We find granulated lead better to fill the vial with than
water, being easily warmed, and keeping warm and dry in damp air. We fire
spirits with the wire of the vial. We light candles, just blown out, by
drawing a spark among the smoke between the wire and snuffers. We represent
lightning by passing the wire in the dark over a China plate that has gilt
flowers, or applying it to gilt frames of looking-glasses, etc. We electrize
a person twenty or more times running, with a touch of the finger on the wire,
thus: He stands on wax. Give him the electrized bottle in his hand. Touch the
wire with your finger and then touch his hand or face; there are sparks every
time. We increase the force of the electrical kiss vastly, thus: Let A and B
stand on wax, or A on wax and B on the floor; give one of them the electrized
vial in hand; let the other take hold of the wire; there will be a small
spark; but when their lips approach they will be struck and shocked. The same
if another gentleman and lady, C and D, standing also on wax, and joining
hands with A and B, salute or shake hands. We suspend by fine silk thread a
counterfeit spider made of a small piece of burnt cork, with legs of linen
thread, and a grain or two of lead stuck in him to give him more weight. Upon
the table, over which he hangs, we stick a wire upright, as high as the vial
and wire, four or five inches from the spider; then we animate him by setting
the electrical vial at the same distance on the other side of him; he will
immediately fly to the wire of the vial, bend his legs in touching it, then
spring off and fly to the wire of the vial, playing with his legs against
both, in a very entertaining manner, appearing perfectly alive to the persons
unacquainted. He will continue this motion an hour or more in dry weather.
We electrify, upon wax in the dark, a book that has a double line of gold
round upon the covers, and then apply a knuckle to the gilding; the fire
appears everywhere upon the gold like a flash of lightning; not upon the
leather, nor if you touch the leather instead of the gold. We rub our tubes
with buckskin and observe always to keep the same side to the tube and never
to sully the tube by handling; thus they work readily and easily without the
least fatigue, especially if kept in tight pasteboard cases lined with
flannel, and sitting close to the tube. This I mention because the European
papers on electricity frequently speak of rubbing the tubes as a fatiguing
exercise. Our spheres are fixed on iron axes which pass through them. At one
end of the axes there is a small handle with which you turn the sphere like a
common grindstone. This we find very commodious, as the machine takes up but
little room, is portable, and may be enclosed in a tight box when not in use.
It is true the sphere does not turn so swift as when the great wheel is used;
but swiftness we think of little importance, since a few turns will charge the
vial, etc., sufficiently. I am, etc.,
"B. Franklin."
(Read before the Royal Society, December 21, 1752)
"Philadelphia, 19 October, 1752.
"To Peter Collinson:
"Sir - As frequent mention is made in publick papers from Europe of the
success of the Philadelphia Experiment for drawing the electric fire from
clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings, etc., it
may be agreeable to the curious to be informed that the same experiment has
succeeded in Philadelphia, though made in a different and more easy manner,
which is as follows: Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms
so long as to reach to the four corners of a large thin silk handkerchief when
extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross,
so you have the body of a kite; which, being properly accommodated with a
tail, loop, and string, will rise in the air, like those made of paper; but
this being of silk is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust
without tearing. To the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be fixed
a very sharp-pointed wire, rising a foot or more above the wood. To the end
of the twine, next the hand, is to be tied a silk ribbon; and where the silk
and twine join, a key may be fastened. This kite is to be raised when a
thunder-gust appears to be coming on, and the person who holds the string must
stand within a door or window, or under some cover, so that the silk ribbon
may not be wet; and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame
of the door or window. As soon as any of the thunder-clouds come over the
kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them, and the kite,
with all the twine, will be electrified, and the loose filaments of the twine
will stand out every way, and he attracted by an approaching finger. And when
the rain has wetted the kite and twine, so that it can conduct the electric
fire freely, you will find stream out plentifully from the key on the approach
of your knuckle. At this key the vial may be charged; and from electric fire
thus obtained spirits may be kindled, and all the other electric experiments
be performed which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe or
tube, and thereby the sameness of the electric matter with that of lightning
completely demonstrated.
"B. Franklin."
Benjamin Franklin Experiments With Electricity
Author: Bigelow, John
Date: 1747
