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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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APPENDIX. 459Summary.From <strong>the</strong> facts and reasoning wliicli have been above stated, it is presumedthat <strong>the</strong> following deductions maybe considered as highly probable,if not altoge<strong>the</strong>r susceptible <strong>of</strong> demonstration :The <strong>the</strong>ories <strong>of</strong> Franklin, Dufay, and Ampere arc irreconcilable with<strong>the</strong> premises on which <strong>the</strong>y are founded, and with facts on all sidesadmitted.A charge <strong>of</strong> frictional electricity, or that species <strong>of</strong> electric excitementwhich is produced by friction, is not due to any accumulation, nor to anydeficiency ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> one or <strong>of</strong> two fluids, but to <strong>the</strong> opposite polarities inducedin imponderable e<strong>the</strong>real matter existing throughout space howevero<strong>the</strong>rwise void, and likewise condensed more or less within ponderablebodies, so as to enter into combination with <strong>the</strong>ir particles, forming atomswhich may be designated as e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderable.Frictional charges <strong>of</strong> electricity seek <strong>the</strong> surfaces <strong>of</strong> bodies to which<strong>the</strong>y may be imparted, without sensibly affecting <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderablematter <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong>y consist.AVhen surfaces thus oppositely charged, or, in o<strong>the</strong>r words, having about<strong>the</strong>m oppositely polarized e<strong>the</strong>real atmospheres, are made to communicate^no current takes place, nor any transfer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> polarized matter : yet anyconductor, touching both atmospheres, furnishes a channel through which<strong>the</strong> opposite polarities are reciprocally neutralized by being communicatedwave-like to an intermediate point.Galvauo-elcctric discharges are likewise effected by waves <strong>of</strong> oppositepolarization, without any flow <strong>of</strong> matter meriting to be called a current.But such waves are not propagated superficially through <strong>the</strong> purelye<strong>the</strong>real medium • <strong>the</strong>y occur in masses formed both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>real andponderable matter. If <strong>the</strong> generation <strong>of</strong> frictional electricity, sufficient toinfluence <strong>the</strong> gold-leaf electrometer, indicate that <strong>the</strong>re are some purelye<strong>the</strong>real waves caused by <strong>the</strong> galvano-electric reaction, such- waves arisefrom <strong>the</strong> inductive influence <strong>of</strong> those created in <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderablematter.When <strong>the</strong> intensity <strong>of</strong> a frictional discharge is increased be3'ond a certainpoint, <strong>the</strong> wire remaining <strong>the</strong> same, its powers become enfeebled ordestroj'cd by ignition, and ultimately deflagration : if <strong>the</strong> diameter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>wire be increased, <strong>the</strong> surface, proportionally augmented, enables more <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>real waves to pass superficially, producing proportionally less e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderableundulation.Magnetism, when stationary, as in magnetic needles and o<strong>the</strong>r permanentmagnets, appears to be owing to an enduring polarization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderable atoms, like that transiently produced by a galvanic discharge.The magnetism transiently exhibited by a galvanized wire, is due tooppositely polarizing impulses, severally proceeding wave-like to an intermediatepart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> circuit where reciprocal neutralization ensues.AVhen magnetism is produced by a frictional discharge operating upon aconducting wire, it must be deemed a secondary eftect, arising from <strong>the</strong>polarizing influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>real waves upon <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>reo-ponderableatoms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wire.Such waves pass superficially in preference; but when <strong>the</strong> wire is com-

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