New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-12-22
gnGgNIS L


in my swn tine public opinion was divided. But
when rank ms ,he,-v was brou-n; under the Sc
we're scrutiny Of mathematics - il has beer within
the .a-i 20 years, BY processes need not nov ez-
tam II was found that ERE were crc instances
for WHICH It would not suffice; but which could
easily be explained by the theory of Two fluids.
winch are often called ;he ritreoas and rrsinons
/ elecrr iii-s shall then take il for granted thlt
the mathematical world concur in rejecting frank
/ In heory and the ;heory prevails that there are
lads OF opposite properties, the natsra! state OF
which "a in combination.
The theory OF Franklin, il it mas ben rejected.
has been made respecabie by its beauty and lnge-
nuity; for is scarcely possible to mention IN th9
history Of hypotheses theory 50 ingenious and
elegant And still greater vii! be our al niration
when we consider tina: it was not the product OF
scientific mind Look nj the difference between
FRANKLIN and NsWTO: the one was reared In
the most profound mahe NAUTICAL university IN the
world h- associates we're mathemailcans and
philosophers; his emulation was stimulated by
their Ijvarv, and his mind urged - farther inquiry
by their daily converse. Surrounded by these ad-
yanages. il i impossible IL say what ish;s ne de-
rived nom thar inilaence How different vas il
with Franklin Reared here. three thousand miles
from al scientific -ur~us, TO matters OF business,
Z
urinter. The wonder is not that he should have
formed beau itu. theory but to ME ii Is almost
iacarnprchensioe how he could have formed any
al all His was 0n2 OF ttIose original minds,
stamped with the highest. most tar-seeing tacs-
tie- and had il been cast in 1 University and sub
j-cted to ~ discipline, it is hard to say what limits
would have placed "A bar to hi discoveries. His
theory. now demolished. however il but small
part OF his valuable contributions &c the cause OF
Science.
In Leydrn, the celebrated Professor MuscHFN-
BROCK, with friend named CUSEu. AID nook,
kLEIsT, pursued their lahe-s iogether on subjects
which were al,raciins 80 much attention. and IN
the course of their studies they tell upon disco@e
~ OF Remarkable importance, ANA the clFcunlstan-
ces attending it were of profound interest. The
effect produced by the passage of \ spark from an
electrified body was understood be n pusgent
slightly painful sensation. 1t occurred to Mus
chenbroeck. or one OF the three. what effect would
be ufoducrd Il stronger influence could be OBJ
tanned if spark produced this result, what
would be the effect ofu power ten, twelve or TWEEN
" times a. great. But the question arose how 10
Try this experiment; with philosophical acumen
he, Judged thnt il; they could contrlve 10 get
20, recpen, Of the electricity. and manage 20 IN
sula;r IT, they might then accomplish their object.
But bow should this br done One OF them said
that water was good recipient, and glass viii
guard IT, bcca .sc the fluid cannot pass through
gliss Vow, said they. why not pour water
into glass 1r and impart tho electricity to the
water it must remain there--the water VIII be
charged. an vii. get shock hundred i'rnes
as great As usual This WAS all just and Philos"-
hical. and on this reasoning they proceeded The
lar was partly filled with wafer; Muschenbroeck
took it into his hands; metallic wire was let
down int the water, by which the electricity was
communicated TO the fluid. Mu.chenbroeck, hold
ing the Jar in one hand after the water was charged,
touched the metallic wire with the other. He re-
ceived shock from which he said he suffered more
than from any paia he ever before experienced
and he declared that for the whole kingdom OF
France he would not tepeat the experiment. tie
was even thrown into commissions, and nothing
could ever induce him to Try it again.
The astonishrueui which filed all Europe when
this was published was unqualified Philosophers
hardly da, ed to repeat the experiment. but sradu-
a " they became treasured, and NJ. Al sna7d did
repeat it. His suiieriogs, in consequence, were
quit. equal TO those of Nus.henb eek ne &c Jared
that ho should lose the of his arms he was
seized with commissions ana violent bleeding nj
the nose. and suffered in various other ways
Wincklcr was the next to try the experiment, and
he suffered in the same manner. With mixture
of the curl )sitv of her and the courage OF our,
Madam Wnckler next attempted II, and was
seized with ihc same pains Her curiosity, how
.er soon GOT the better OF fears, aud she re-
heated the trial. with the same result. We know
now that the cause of these suti-rinss was nothing
else than tear and the imagination These exPe-
riment, soon spread all cser the civilized world
and soon passed from the hands OF philosophers TO
those Of charalans and iugslers.
Meanwhile the philosophical inquiries were pro-
ceeding and i; is interesting 10 mole the struggles
with which Truth comes into the w0rld-the tnrdcS
and aaas with which the na first gets into being
Inc theory of the Leyden phial was sooR explained
10 depend upon the presence OF the two fluids.
The inner and outer coats are separated by tn
glass. Suppose the wire connected with the inner
coating 10 he touched to q conductor charged win
posltig- electricity the positive tuid goes 10 ,hc
inner coat and exerts an attraction and repulslon
upon IN. outer coating. This IS u point OF the
las imoes;ance and must ask for it your closest
st,eption The outside OF the Jar and the hand IN
c3nact With /, are in their natural state the post
i've electricity 81 the inside drives off the positive
contained on the outside, through the hand nnc
person, to the earth, while it attracts to"arls i
self th,. negative. This IS the physical law Tor
which We ran give 10 reason. Ii YOU ask why It
/. 50. can eLiy say that YOU know Gluch about
II =. do or am one else. It is OF those ulu-
mate fact. which depend upon experience only
rhs consequence Of this action going on is, tina,
the outside coating Is charged with Hegatigs and
the inner With positief electricity. Inc glass Will
M, allow them TO combine; it stands liz" senti-
ael with fixed bayonet TO pr nj tie uni ~. II
connection be formed in any way, the ivo iiuids
viii rush together Now Muscnenbroeck held the
ont, l.. in one hand and touchsd the wire with the
other The instant tins was done connection
600, ord ~. A,1ids r-lshed rogafter through
! his beis. Al the mighty effect, experienced BY
,b,s sb5,k. II must beremembered, were produced
~. lar p5, Iaraer than a comalon lumber. Mus
( - - l.. 49, Ea-I had any