Various Views of the Electric Current 67

quantity of electricity passing, whatever may be its intensity or
its source, and that the same is probably true for all cases (113),
even when the utmost generality is taken on the one hand, and
great precision of expression on the other (241).

247. In speaking of the current, I find myself obliged to be
still more particular than on a former occasion (19), in conse-
quence of the variety of views taken by philosophers, all agree-
ing in the effect of the current itself. Some philosophers, with
Franklin, assume but one electric fluid; and such must agree
together in the general uniformity and character of the electric
current. Others assume two electric fluids; and here singular
differences have arisen.

248. MM. Riffault and Chompre, for instance, consider the
positive and negative currents each as causing decomposition,
and state that the positive current is more powerful than the
negative current,1 the nitrate of soda being, under similar
circumstances, decomposed. by the former, but not by the
latter.

249. M. Hachette states 2 that "it is not necessary, as has
been believed, that the action of the two electricities, positive
and negative, should be simultaneous for the decomposition of
water." The passage implying, if I have caught the meaning
aright, that one electricity can be obtained, and can be applied
in effecting decompositions, independent of the other.

250. The view of M. de la Rive to a certain extent agrees with
that of M. Hachette, for he considers that the two electricities
decompose separate portions of water (226).3 In one passage
he speaks of the two electricities as two influences, wishing
perhaps to avoid offering a decided opinion upon the independent
existence of electric fluids; but as these influences are considered;
as combining with the elements set free as by a species of chemi-
cal affinity, and for the time entirely masking their character,
great vagueness of idea is thus introduced, inasmuch as such
a species of combination can only be conceived to take place
between things having independent existences. The two elemen-
tary electric currents, moving in opposite directions, from pole
to pole, constitute the ordinary voltaic current.

251. M. Grotthuss is inclined to believe that the elements of
water, when about to separate at the poles, combine with the
electricities, and so become gases. M. de la Rive's view is the
exact reverse of this: whilst passing through the fluid, they are,

1 Annales de Chimie, 1807, torn. Ixiii. p. 84. 2 Ibid. 1832, torn. li. p. 73*
3 Ibid. 1825, torn, xxviii. pp. 197, 201.attraction of the particlest of these Researches.pouring a little water in at the top of this vessel