riments, that the electricity did not refide in the coating, as had been fuppofed, but in the pores of the glass itself. After a phial 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 thundergufts, 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 reasoning from facts, in fupport of his pofitions. In the fame year he conceived the aftonishingly bold and grand idea of ascertaining the truth of his doctrine, by actually drawing down the forked lightning, by means of fharp-pointed iron rods raifed into the region of the clouds. Even in this uncertain ftate, his paffion to be useful to mankind displays 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 fire filently and imperceptibly, he suggests the idea of securing houses, ships, &c. from being damaged by lightning, by erecting pointed iron rods, which should rife fome feet above the most. elevated part, and defcend fome feet into the ground or the water. The effect of this, 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 ftroke to the earth, without any injury to the building.

It was not until the fummer 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 fome high tower, or other elevated place, a centry-box, from which fhould rife a pointed iron rod, infulated by being fixed in a cake of refin. Electrified clouds paffing over this, would, he conceived, impart to it a portion of their electricity, which would be rendered evident to the fenfes by fparks being emitted, when a key, a knuckle, or other conductor, was presented to it. Philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind. Whilft 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 attaching two cross sticks to a filk handkerchief, which would not fuffer so much from the rain as paper. To this upright stick was affixed an iron point. The ftring was, as ufual, of hemp, except the lower end, which was filk. Where the hempen ftring terminated, a key was fastened. With this apparatus, on the appearance of a thunderguft approaching, he went into the commons, accompanied by his fon, to whom alone he communicated his intentions, well knowing the ridicule, which, too generally for the intereft of science, awaits unsuccessful experiments in philofophy. He placed himself under a fhed to avoid the rain. His kite was raised. A thunder cloud paffed over it. No fign of electricity appeared. He almost despaired of success; when

fiddenly he obferved the loose fibres of his string to move towards an erect pofition. He now prefented his knuckle to the key, and received a ftrong fpark. How exquifite muft his fenfations have been at this moment! On this experiment depended the fate of his theory. If he fucceeded, his name would rank high amongst those who have improved fcience; if he failed, he must inevitably be fubjected to the derifion of mankind, or, what is worse, their pity, as a wellmeaning man, but a weak, filly projector. The anxiety with which he looked for the refult of his experiment, may eafily be conceived. Doubts and defpair had begun to prevail, when the fact was afcertained in fo clear a manner, that even the most incredulous could no longer withold their affent. Repeated fparks were drawn from the key, a vial was charged, a fhock given, and all the experiments made, which are usually performed with electricity.

About a month before this period, fome ingenious Frenchmen had completed the discovery, in the manner originally propofed by Dr. Franklin. The letters which he fent to Mr. Collinfon, it is faid, were refufed a place amongst the papers of the Royal Society of London. However this may be, Collinfon published them in a feparate volume, under the title of New Experiments and Obfervations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia in America. They were read with avidity, and foon tranflated into different languages. A very incorrect French tranflation fell into the hands of the celebrated Buffon, who notwithstanding the difadvantages under which

the work laboured, was much pleased with it, and repeated the experiments with fuccefs. He prevailed upon his friend, M. D'Alibard, to give his countrymen a more correct translation of the work of the American electrician. This contributed much towards fpreading a knowledge of Franklin's principles in France. The King, Louis XV. hearing of these experiments, expreffed a wifh to be a fpectator of them. A courfe of experiments was given at the feat of the Duc D'Aven, at St. Germain, by M. De Lor. The applauses which the King bestowed upon Franklin, excited in Buffon, D'Alibard, and De Lor, an earnest defire of afcertaining the truth of his theory of thunder-gufts. Buffon, erected his apparatus on the tower of Montbar. M. D'Alibard at Mary-la-ville, and De Lor at his houfe in the Eftrapade at Paris, fome of the highest ground in that capital. D'Alibard's machine first fhewed figns of elec tricity. On the 10th of May, 1752, a thunder-cloud paffed over it, in the absence of M. D'Alibard; and a number of sparks were drawn from it by Coiffier, a joiner, with whom D'Alibard had left directions how to proceed, and by M. Raulet, the prior of Mary-la-ville. An account of this experiment was given to the Royal Academy of Sciences, in a memoir by M. D'Alibard, dated May 13th, 1752. On the 18th of May, M. De Lor proved equally fuccessful with the apparatus erected at his own house. These difcoveries foon excited the philofophers of other parts of Europe to repeat the experiment. Amongst thefe, none fignalized

themselves more than father Beccaria of Turin, to whofe obfervations science is much indebted. Even the cold regions of Ruffia were penetrated by the ardour for discovery. Profeffor Richman bade fair to add much to the stock of knowledge on this fubje&, when an unfortunate flash from his rod put a period to his existence. The friends of science will long remember with regret the admirable martyr to electricity.

By thefe experiments Franklin's theory was established in the most firm manner. When the truth of it could no longer be doubted, the wanity of men endeavoured to detract from its merit. That an American, an inhabitant of the obfcure city of Philadelphia, the name of which was hardly known, fhould be able to make difcoveries, and to frame theories, which had escaped the notice of the enlightened philofophers of Europe, was too mortifying to be admitted. He muft certainly have taken the idea from somebody elfe. An American, a being of inferior order, make difcoveries! Impoffible. It was faid, that the Abbe Nollet, in 1748, had fuggefted the idea of the fimilarity of lightning and electricity, in his Lecons de Phyfique. It is true, that the Abbe mentions the idea, but he throws it out as a bare conjecture, and propofes no mode of afcertaining the truth of it. He himself acknowledges, that Franklin firft entertained the bold thought of bringing lightning from the heavens, by means of pointed rods fixed in the air. The fimilarity of electricity and lightning is fo trong, that we need not be furprised at notice. being taken of it, as foon as electrical pheno