The Philadelphia philosophers discovered the power of metallic points to draw off electricity.
"Electricity is not created by friction," observed one of these men. "It is only collected by it."
"And all our experiments show," argued Franklin, "that electricity is positive and negative."
During the winter of 1746-'47 these men devoted as much of their time as they could spare to electrical experiments.
"William," said one of the philosophers to the son of Franklin one day, "you have brought your friends here to see the vial genii; he is a lively imp. Let me show you some new things which I found he can do."
He brought out a bottle of spirits and poured the liquid into a plate. "Stand up on the insulating stool, my boy, and let me electrify you, and see if the imp loves liquor."
The lively lad obeyed. He pointed his finger down to the liquor in the plate. It burst into flame, startling the audience.
"Now," said another of the philosophers, "let me ask you to give me a magic torch."
He presented to his finger a candle with an alcoholic wick. The candle was at once lighted, emitting sparks as it began to burn.
"Hoi, hoi!" said the philosopher to the young visitors, "what do you think of a young man whose touch is fire? We have a Faust among us, sure!"