Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-03-27
Lecture Of Capt. W. H. Kable.

S,atcal Electricity accompanied by many
interesting experiments, by the above named
gentleman, the able aud learned Principal OF
Charlcsiown Academy.
After few Introductory sentences from Mr.. /
David Howell, Capt. X. announced that tho
The newspapers aud the gentleman who prece-
ded l:m bad been 50 Supplementary as to say
that be was 90 deliver lecture be only
termed tia "scLool. room talk" TO which De
had requested particularly all the children
should be invited without the usual restric-
tons. aud which. while ius,rueting them. lie
hoped would revive in the older portion of bis
hearers some recollection OF their early studies.
Electricity, lie said, is nothing more than
great force which scientific men are expert
mentug with to produce q cheaper aud better
NsL: aud 20 tara It's vast power 70 account
ns motive uses, and tho as yet bat partially
successful be doubted not /. would in tine be
accomplished lie proposed to show by a
series Of experiments, the effects Of ibis
mighty agent. even when oxer,ed to q very
small extent. With glass tube on which
electricity was excited by rubbing with a
niece Of silk coated with amagam, be showed
how string aad other substances are attracted
also ia q hook suspended by broad ribbon
be placed O wooden roj and with a bar OF
sealias.wax 10 which be bad excited elcct,ici-
tyby friction. De showed how The wood drawn
by The electric power, followed tie sealing
wax uua, IL twisted the ribbon round num-
Der Of times. lie then proceeded by num-
Der Of experiments to show the different kinds
Of electricity positive and negative. The
only difference. be said, is iu their manifesto
lion, there being none 10 their force or work
lug iu attraction ana repu,siou, which really
constitute tie science, it may be termed, Of
electricity. aud on these elementary studies
depend tbe knowledge Of its workings. This
much thc Ola Greek philosopher discovered 10
tie amber from which tue agent is uamci.-
He proceeded by further experiments 10 illus
tra,e the difference between positive aud neg
alive electricity. aaI also the great principle
ol induction. With plate Of coated un
insulated by glass handle, laid "a another
Of rubber iu which the fluid is excited 10y
friction, De showed how it passed TO the upper
plate, and thence was conveyed through his
hand ty spagk 70 Tie ground. The rubber
plate contains tie negative, aud Induced posi-
i've iu The mc,al All substances. be said,
contain this force 20 a greater OF less degree;
these experiments could De tried as well ou an
apple or parsuip. ID they arc Insulated they
show the same results. lie then produced au
Eleclrcscope. aud performed the experimeuto
Ty1j8U, bayiog ramel sheet OF glass be-
tween two pieces Of tin Gil. charging the fol
by exciting tie glass tube aad passing it
over the connecting wire. the gold leaf in the
Picturesque showing ths lishtes; touch Of lis
hand on tie loil That moisture is great
L.ndrauce 90 tlccxpcrimcuter in electricity be
proved ly showing tlot tlo glass needed 20 lie
thoroughly dried before tie operation can be
successfully performed, therefore a damp
atmosphere may seriously interfere wi,h sue
cess 10 his researches. lis also showed the
llleuat conducting power Of different sub
stances by s-spoading three weights, one with
copper wire. one with cord. aud ne ,lird
vi,b sik-tle weights being applied TO thc
E.ee,5,score DE copper wirc conducted inn
mclat,,y aul with force, Toe cotton much
less yio.c.dy. aud the sil6 noe atau, until it