B. FRANKLIN.
FOOTNOTE:
[75] James Alexander. Editor.
FROM MR. KINNERSLEY TO B. FRANKLIN, ESQ.
[Experiments on boiling Water, and Glass heated by boiling Water.—Doctrine of Repulsion in electrised Bodies doubted.—Electricity of the Atmosphere at different Heights.—Electrical Horse-race.—Electrical Thermometer.—In what Cases the electrical Fire produces Heat.—Wire lengthened by Electricity.—Good Effect of a Rod on the House of Mr. West, of Philadelphia.]
Philadelphia, March 12, 1761.
Sir,
Having lately made the following experiments, I very chearfully communicate them, in hopes of giving you some degree of pleasure, and exciting you to further explore your favorite, but not quite exhausted subject, electricity.
I placed myself on an electric stand, and, being well electrised, threw my hat to an unelectrised person, at a considerable distance, on another stand, and found that the hat carried some of the electricity with it; for, upon going immediately to the person who received it, and holding a flaxen thread near him, I perceived he was electrised sufficiently to attract the thread.