Electrical Phenomenon

Abstract

LAST night I noticed a powerful development of electricity in a curious manner. I had thrown a piece of common, thick, white, unglazed paper upon a low fire which was tolerably full of ashes. When it was charred so as to be black and brittle, I happened to take it up and break bits off. To my astonishment they stuck firmly to my fingers. I broke off two pieces each an inch long, and resting them on the tips of my two fore-fingers, each was capable of rotating (though with very great friction). When brought near each other they repelled each other forcibly. I experimented with these pieces for several minutes without perceiving any diminution in their electrification. Both sides of the paper seemed to be in the same condition. I then laid them down, and left the room to fetch a piece of sealing-wax to test the nature of the electricity. But by the time I returned, all trace of electricity was gone, and by no means could I repeat the experiment so as to get the slightest charge of electricity.