APPENDIX. (continued 2)
Reading edition
83. There may be some resemblance imagined between this luminous discharge between the poles, and that which has already been designated as disruptive; but this flaming arch discharge does not break through the air; it only usurps its place gradually, and then sustains this usurpation. It differs from the other as to its cause, so far as galvanic reaction differs from friction; moreover, it requires a volatilizable, as well as a polarizable ponderable conducting substance to enable its appropriate undulations to meet at a mean distance from the solid polar terminations whence they respectively proceed.
84. The most appropriate designation of the phenomenon under consideration is that of ethereo-ponderable undulatory deflagration. Under this head we may not only place the flaming arch, but likewise the active ignition and dissipation of fine wire or leaf metal, or when attached to one pole, and made barely to touch the other.
85. In one of Farraday’s experiments, a circuit was completed by subjecting platina points, severally proceeding from the poles of a voltaic series, while very near to each other, to the flame of a spirit lamp. This was ascribed by him to the rarefaction of the air, but ought, as I think, to be attributed to the polarizable ethereo-ponderable matter of the flame, performing the same office as the volatilized carbon in the flaming arch, between charcoal points, to which reference has been made.
Summary.
From the facts and reasoning which have been above stated, it is presumed that the following deductions may be considered as highly probable, if not altogether susceptible of demonstration:
The theories of Franklin, Dufay, and Ampere are irreconcilable with the premises on which they are founded, and with facts on all sides admitted.
A charge of frictional electricity, or that species of electric excitement which is produced by friction, is not due to any accumulation, nor to any deficiency either of one or of two fluids, but to the opposite polarities induced in imponderable ethereal matter existing throughout space however otherwise void, and likewise condensed more or less within ponderable bodies, so as to enter into combination with their particles, forming atoms which may be designated as ethereo-ponderable.
Frictional charges of electricity seek the surfaces of bodies to which they may be imparted, without sensibly affecting the ethereo-ponderable matter of which they consist.
When surfaces thus oppositely charged, or, in other words, having about them oppositely polarized ethereal atmospheres, are made to communicate, no current takes place, nor any transfer of the polarized matter: yet any conductor, touching both atmospheres, furnishes a channel through which the opposite polarities are reciprocally neutralized by being communicated wave-like to an intermediate point.
Galvano-electric discharges are likewise effected by waves of opposite polarization, without any flow of matter meriting to be called a current.
But such waves are not propagated superficially through the purely ethereal medium; they occur in masses formed both of the ethereal and ponderable matter. If the generation of frictional electricity, sufficient to influence the gold-leaf electrometer, indicate that there are some purely ethereal waves caused by the galvano-electric reaction, such waves arise from the inductive influence of those created in the ethereo-ponderable matter.
When the intensity of a frictional discharge is increased beyond a certain point, the wire remaining the same, its powers become enfeebled or destroyed by ignition, and ultimately deflagration: if the diameter of the wire be increased, the surface, proportionally augmented, enables more of the ethereal waves to pass superficially, producing proportionally less ethereo-ponderable undulation.
Magnetism, when stationary, as in magnetic needles and other permanent magnets, appears to be owing to an enduring polarization of the ethereo-ponderable atoms, like that transiently produced by a galvanic discharge.
The magnetism transiently exhibited by a galvanized wire, is due to oppositely polarizing impulses, severally proceeding wave-like to an intermediate part of the circuit where reciprocal neutralization ensues.
When magnetism is produced by a frictional discharge operating upon a conducting wire, it must be deemed a secondary effect, arising from the polarizing influence of the ethereal waves upon the ethereo-ponderable atoms of the wire.
Such waves pass superficially in preference; but when the wire is comparatively small, the reaction between the waves and the ethereo-ponderable atoms becomes sufficiently powerful to polarize them, and thus render them competent, for an extremely minute period of time, to produce all the affections of a galvano-electric current, whether of ignition, of electrolysis, or magnetization. Thus, as the ethereo-ponderable waves produce such as are purely ethereal, so purely ethereal waves may produce such as are ethereo-ponderable.
The polarization of hair upon electrified scalps is supposed to be due to a superficial association with the surrounding polarized ethereal atoms, while that of iron filings, by a magnet or galvanized wire, is conceived to arise from the influence of polarized ethereo-ponderable atoms, consisting of ethereal and ponderable matter in a state of combination.
Farradian discharges are as truly the effects of ethereo-ponderable polarization as those from an electrified conductor, or coated surfaces of glass are due to static ethereal polarization, (39, 40, 41.)[79]
THE END.
PRINTED AND STEREOTYPED BY HOLMAN & GRAY
INVOCATION OF SPIRITS.[80]
Spirits on high, or far or near, Who happen our humble chanting to hear, Our circle with your presence bless; Our souls with pious emotions impress. Come, spirits, come! our sand runs fast; Death waits for his due, and life may be past. In mercy teach us truth to know, And, passing death’s portal, whither we go; Of your abodes the wonders teach, And how to deserve that haven to reach. Come, spirits, come! our sand runs fast; Death’s portal may yawn, and life may be past. Say how far in the azure sky The magical homes of immortals lie:[81] Tell us how angels draw their breath— That breathing beyond the power of death.[82] Say, spirits, say I our sand runs fast; Death’s warrant may come, and life may be past. The bliss portray which the good enjoy, The pain and remorse which the bad annoy, The sun which sheds on earth no rays, Yet glorious light in heaven displays![83] Haste and portray’ our sand runs fast; Death’s mandate may come, and life may be past.
Query to the High Spirits.
Throughout the azure realms of space Do blessed spirits cheerly fly To orbs too far for thoughts to reach, Or Ross’ reflector to descry? Or bide they near their natal orb, To mingle with their mundane friends, Striving their minds to impress with truth Which to their future welfare tends?
Reply of the Spirits.
‘Tis not to orbs vastly remote That earth-born spirits wend their flight; About their own planet to rove Will ever be their great delight. Attached by love in lieu of weight, Throughout its vast orbit they move, Ever striving with lively zeal The fate of mortals to improve.[84]
PORTUGUESE HYMN SPIRITUALIZED.
Adeste fideles læti triumphantes, Venite, venite in circulum Ortam videte cœli cognoscentiam. Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Venite adoremus Dominum. Ecce in nostro tempore quæ nata Veritati tibi sit gloria Patris æterni verbum clarefactum. Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Venite adoremus Dominum. Valde exultat chorus angelorum Resonant aulæ celestium Gloria in excelsis Deo. Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Venite adoremus Dominum.
Translation of Portuguese Hymn, as altered.
Come hither, ye faithful, joyfully triumphing; Come, come into a circle; Behold, a knowledge of heaven is born to us. Come let us adore, come let us adore our God. O truth, to you who art just born to us, Let there be glory rendered, The word of God being made evident. Come let us adore, &c. Greatly does the chorus of angels exult, Causing the temples of heaven to resound: Glory be to God on high. Come let us adore, &c.