Spitalfields Mathematical Society
Texts from The Receptacle
Description of an Apparatus for Atmospherical Electricity
A.A. is the roof of a house, B.B. the upper room, C the chimney to which is fixed the rod d e 15 or 20 feet long, to the top of this rod is attached the cross piece e f figs 1&2, g is a pulley and h is a hood for covering it, i i is an arm into which is inserted the square spindle k, and glass stem i l, carrying the funnel l, and branched wire l m; to the edge of the funnel is attached the conducting wire n o; p is an arm screwed into the window frame carrying a glass funnel O, on a glass stem p o; s s is a glass tube passing through the sash frame into the room B.B., this rod is also provided with a funnel q, the wire n is passed through the loop or hook O, and the tube s s, to the conductor r, i t is a line passing over the pulley g and through one end of the arm i i, by which means it is drawn up into its proper situation and lowered down at pleasure. ~
The whole of the installations of this apparatus being easily and expedentially accessible, and its construction cheap and simple it is presumed that it will not be unworthy a place in this receptacle.
extracted from CPE 1806, presented by Mr Joseph Steevens Oct 1813
From the introduction to The Receptacle
As large streams are produced by the confluence of many smaller ones, so will the scientific productions of many, (however trivial in themselves) form an aggregate of magnitude and intrinsic worth. ~ It is therefore hoped that no one will hesitate on account of the trifling nature of his productions to place them in this repository; for whether they be original or copies, if connected with the pursuits of the society, and tend to promote its interests, they cannot but be acceptable; for there are few productions so trivial as to be void of utility.
The Receptacle texts are used by permission of University College London, Library Services.