William Henly to Benjamin Franklin, December 30, 1772

[December 30, 1772 3 ]

Dear Sir:

I send you herewith the paper of your experiments, and shall think myself under great obligation for the addition. 4 I am quite at a loss what to think or say about the Bell. The effects are so contrary to the notions I [had] entertained of Electricity; and yet I scarse know how to disbelieve my Friends relation, for though by his Letter he appears to be no Schollar at all, yet [he] is as sensible, and as clever a Man in Conversation as you would wish to converse with. 5

Mr. Nairne Mr. Lane 6 and I were yesterday from [about?] 3 O Clock at St. Pauls. I took my fishing Rod. 7

Going up. In the Stone Gallery Thermometer 28. no Ch[arge 8 ]. Wind very troublesome quite round the Building. In the Golden Gallery Thermometer 31. Balls diverged 1 Inch full. In the Lanthorn a very warm Room Thermometer 35. The Rod being projected through a Hole its whole length, on the side opposite to that, from which the Wind blew: the balls diverged I think 1¾ Inch and were nearly stationary .

Coming down. In the Stone Gallery Thermometer 29. Balls diverged ½ Inch. The Wind while we were there got round more to the Southward, and the Air grew more hazy, which I believe brought on, or increased the Electricity. 9

Monday Evening 5 O Clock Mr. Bell 1 went there, and observed that in the Stone Gallery Balls diverged when held at Arms length 2 ½ Inch, Thermometer 34. In the Golden Gallery, held in the same manner they diverged ½ Inch Thermometer 33. In all these cases the Mercury had time to subside before observation. I am Dear Sir sincerely yours

W Henly