Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-04
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
A NEW THEORY OF ELECTRICITY,

NEW THEORY OF ELECTRICITY.
Though il is much more rarely than we could
wish that we can at this season of the year devote
any portion Of our space to articles of scientific
character, we cannot consent to overlook them alto
gether for the long period of prolonged session
! of Congress. We have pleasure therefore in be-
ing able to-day to direct the attention of readers
to tract which has lately issued from the Phila-
dephia press, (and may be had at Taylor's Book
store in this city, the title of which is follows
COLLECTIONS 10 The Theories seueraly Of Fraak-
In Dufay and Ampere, toh Effort captain Electri-
cal Phenomena By StaticaL Uaduatory Polarization
By Robert Hare, Md, Emeritus Professor Of Chemistry
in The University Of Pennsylvania"
We cannot of course offer to readers the
whole Of this Scientific Essay from the pen Of a
profoundly learned man, but we have no ques-
ton that many of them will be as much interested
and instructed as we ourselves have been by the
following Summary, which closes the pamphlet:
From the facts and reasoning which have been stated,
presumed that the following deductions may be
sdered highly probable not altogether susceptible of de-
monstraiion.
The theories Of Franklin Duay and Ampere are irrecon
cabe with the premises which they founded, and with
facts on all sides admitted.
charge of FRACTIONAL electricity that species of electric
excitement which produced by friction due any
accumulation any deficiency either Of Of two
fluids but the opposite polaes induced in mponderabe
ethereal matter existing throughout space however otherwise
void and likewise condensed less within ponderabc
bodies into combination with their PARTICLES
forming atoms which may be designated ethereo-pon-
derable.
FRACTIONAL charges Of electricity seek the surfaces Of bodies
to which they may be impaired without sensby affecting the
ethereo-ponderabe matter Of which they consist.
When surfaces thus oppostey charged or other words
having about them oppoey poarzed ethereal atmosphees
made communicate, current takes place any
transfer of the polazed matter yet any conductor touching
both atmosphercs furnishes channel through which the OPP
pose polarties recproca neutrazed by being
ncated wave-like to a intermediate point
Gavano-eectric discharges likewise effected by
Of opposite polarization, without any flow of mering
to be called a current
But such not propagaed specifically through the
purely ethereal mediums they in formed both Of
the ethereal and ponderable matter If the generation Of
ctonal electricity, sufficient to influence the godleaf cleo
rometer indicate that there purely ethereal
caused by the gavanoeecc reaction such from
the nducve influence of those created the ehereopon
derabe matter.
When the intensity fictional discharge is increased
become eneebed destroyed by ignition, and ultimately
deagraon if the diameter Of the wire be increased the
surface proporonaly augmented enables Of the ehe
real to pass specifically producing propoonaly less
ethereo-ponderable undulation.
Magnetism, when stationary, in magnetic needles and
other permanent magnets appears be owing enduring
polarization of the ethereoponderabe atoms like that
silently produced by gavanc discharge
The magnetism transieny exhibited by galvanized wire
is due to opposey polazng impulses seyeraly proceeding
waveke intermediate part of the where recpro-
cal naturalization
When magnetism is produced by fctona discharge ope
rating upoa conducting wire, be deemed secondary
effect arising from the polazng influence of the ethereal
upon the ethereo ponderable atoms of the wire.
Such pass specifically in preference but when the
wire is comparatively small the reaction between the
and eheeoponderabe becomes sufficiently powerful
poarze them and thus render them competent for
tremey minute period Of ime produce all the affections Of
galvanoelecc current whether Of ignition, Of electroysis
magnetizsion. Thus, the ehereo ponderabe
produce such purely ethereal purely ethereal
may produce such etherco ponderabe.
The polarization OF hair upon electrified scaps supposed
be due 10 superficial association with the surrounding po
arzed ethereal atoms while that of iron filings, by magnet
galvanized wre conceived arise from the influence OF
parzed ponderabe atoms consisting of ethereal and
ponderable matter in a state Of combination.