Observations on a series of electrical experiments / By Dr Hoadly, and Mr Wilson.

  • Hoadly, Dr. (Benjamin), 1706-1757.
Date:
1756
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on a series of electrical experiments / By Dr Hoadly, and Mr Wilson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    This aether likewife pervades the pores of all bodies, and lies hid in them : and whilft the bodies with this fluid in them are left to themfelves, (undid:urbed by any external violence) this fluid from its elaftic nature con¬ forms itfelf, as to its degree of denfity, to the particular make of that body it is in. e. gr. It is not fo denfe in denfe bodies, as in rare ones. Whence it feems to follow, that every body we have it in our power to make any experiment upon, has na¬ turally within it (before it is difturbed by our experi¬ ment) one certain quantity of this fluid, in fuch a ftate of rarity or denfity, as is moft agreable to the nature of each particular body. And hence it feems reafonable to conclude, that there will naturally arife fome refiftance to every endeavour, that is made, any how to alter the degree of denfity in the whole of any body, or in any particular part of it. And hence, that it will require fome degree of force to alter the natural quantity of this fluid contained in every particular body; and more or lefs force according to the nature, and make of each. Nov/, as it is univerfally agreed among thofe, who are moft converfant with electrical experiments, that the appearances, which occur in thofe experiments, arife from the force and aftion of a fluid of the fame elaftic nature, communicating, and freely palling in and out at the furface of the earth, and pervading likewife the pores of bodies: and as the cleared: definition of what we mean, when we fay a body is electrified, is this, that either