I don't know what kind of 'electrical machine' he was speaking of, but one thing is pretty sure, it wasn't what we think of, electricity flowing into a machine to do work. Much more likely, it is a machine for generating static charge. Here is what is described as an actual machine of that type made by David Rittenhouse. It is a glass sphere which generates static charge when rubbed on cloth.
amphilsoc.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/5CE8077D-E949-491B-93E1-932185903635People in the 18th century were fascinated by electricity, but had no idea what it really was. They played with it in many ways, such as Franklin and his kite in a storm, but they also used 'electrical machines' to generate electrical charge for entertainment, as in this show described in the Pa Gazette in 1751:
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Philadelphia,
April 11, 1751.
Notice is hereby given to the CURIOUS, That on Wednesday
next, Mr. Kinnersley proposes to begin a Course of Experiments
on the newly discovered ELECTRICAL FIRE, containing not only
the most curious of those that have been made and published in
Europe, but a considerable Number of new Ones lately made in
this City; to be accompanied with methodical LECTURES on the
Nature and Properties of that wonderful Element, viz.
LECTURE 1.
Of Electricity in General, giving some Account of the
Discovery of it. II. That the Electric Fire is a real Element,
and different from those heretofore known and named, and
collected out of other Matter (not created) by the Friction of
Glass, &c. III. That it is an extreamly subtile Fluid.
IV. That it doth not take up any perceptible Time in passing
thro’ large Portions of Space. V. That it is intimately mixed
with the Substance of all the other Fluids and Solids of our
Globe. VI. That our Bodies at all Times contain enough of it
to set a House on Fire. VII. That tho' it will fire
inflammable Matters, itself has no sensible Heat. VIII. That
it differs from common Matter in this; Its Parts do not
mutually attract, but mutually repel each other.
IX. That it is strongly attracted by all other Matter.
X. An artificial Spider, animated by the Electric Fire, so as
to act like a live One. XI. A perpetual Shower of Sand, which
rises again as fast as it falls. XII. That common Matter in the
form of Points attracts this Fire more strongly than in any
other Form. XIII. A Leaf of the most weighty of Metals suspended
in the Air, as is said of Mahomet’s Tomb. XIV. An Appearance like
Fishes swimming in the Air. XV. That this Fire will live in
Water, a River not being sufficient to quench the smallest
Spark of it. XVI. A Representation of the Sensitive Plant.
XVII. A representation of the seven Planets, shewing a
probable Cause of their keeping their due Distances from each
other, and from the Sun in the Center. XVIII. The Salute
repulsed by the Ladies Fire; or Fire darting from a Lady
Lips, so that she may defy any Person to salute her.
XIX. Eight musical Bells rung by an electrified Phial of
Water. XX. A Battery of eleven Guns discharged by Fire issuing
out of a Person’s Finger.
LECTURE II.
I. A Description and Explanation of Mr. Muschenbrock’s
wonderful Bottle. II. The amazing Force of the Electric Fire
in passing thro' a Number of Bodies at the same Instant.
III. An Electric Mine sprung.
IV. Electrified Money, which scarce any Body will take when
offered to them. V. A Piece of Money drawn out of a Persons
Mouth in spite of his Teeth; yet without touching it, or
offering him the least Violence. VI. Spirits kindled by Fire
darting from a lady’s Eyes (without a Metaphor.) VII. Various
Representations of Lightning, the Cause and Effects of which
will be explained by a more probable Hypothesis than has
hitherto appeared, and some useful Instructions given how to
avoid the Danger of it: How to secure Houses, Ships, &c. from
being hurt by its destructive Violence. VIII. The Force of the
Electric Spark making a fair Hole thro' a Quire of Paper. IX.
Metal melted by it (tho' without any Heat) in less than the
thousandth Part of a Minute. X. Animals killed by it
instantaneously (if any of the Company desire it, and will be
pleased to send some for that Purpose.)
XI. Air issuing out of a Bladder set on Fire by a Spark from a
Person’s Finger, and burning like a Volcano.
XII. A few Drops of electrified cold Water let fall on a
Person’s Hand, supplying him with Fire sufficient to kindle a
burning Flame with one of the Fingers of his other Hand. XIII.
A Sulphureous Vapour kindled into Flame by Fire issuing out of
a cold Apple. XIV. A curious Machine acting by means of the
Electric Fire, and playing a Variety of Tunes on eight musical
Bells. XV. A Battery of eleven Guns discharged by a Spark,
after it has passed thro' ten Foot of Water.
As the Knowledge of Nature tends to enlarge the human Mind,
and give us more noble, more grand and exalted ideas of
the AUTHOR of Nature, and if well pursued seldom fails
producing something useful to Man, it is hoped these Lectures
may be thought worthy of Regard and Encouragement.
Tickets to be had at Mr. Kinnersley’s House in Arch
street, Price Seven Shillings and Six pence for each Person to
go thro’ the Course. The Lectures to begin precisely at 4 in
the Afternoon of each Day, in the same Room Mr. Dove lately
used for his Course of Natural Philosophy.
Spence
