Electricity, when it exists, or is excited, in any body, to an amount which is in excess of the amount natural to that body, is called positive (called also vitreous).
569. What is negative electricity?
Electricity, when it exists, or is excited, in any body, in an amount which is less than is the amount natural to that body, is called negative (called also resinous).
570. Why is "positive" electricity called also "vitreous," and "negative" electricity called also "resinous"?
Because some philosophers believe that there is but one electricity, but that it is liable to variations of quantity or state, which they distinguish by positive and negative; while other philosophers believe that there are two electricities, which they name vitreous and resinous, because they may be induced respectively from vitreous and resinous substances, and they display forces of attraction and repulsion.
571. Upon what do the electrical phenomena of nature depend?
Upon the tendency of electricity to find an equilibrium between its positive and negative states (assuming there to be but one fluid); or upon the tendency of vitreous electricity to seek out and combine with resinous electricity (assuming that there are two fluids).
"The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hailstones and coals of fire."