PEEYENTION OF DAMAGE BY LIGHTNINO* «Q7 



little doubt, but that all, or nearly all of the fluid would be 

 carried off bv these conductors, and little or uo damage, or- 

 <3eath would erer be occasioned by the lightning. 



The expense of erecting conductors at different station* 

 throughout the kingdom would be saved in a few years, 

 and the safety of men's lives would be of more value than 

 any expense that could be incurred. If every parish 

 would agree throughout the kingdom to appropriate a part 

 of the rate for the erection of 4, 6, or more conductorss, ac- 

 cording to the size of the parish, on the different parts that are 

 most elevated, the expense would not be felt — indeed it 

 would not be worth naming. If the different noblernen, 

 gentlemen, &c., of the different parishes were lo tnke it into 

 consideration, first considering the certain security it would 

 provide for their cattle, buildings, and the lives of them- . 

 selves and servants; and secondly, when they estimate the 

 very small expense these conductors might be erected for ; 

 I do think every parish wo.uld instantly be induced to adopt 

 the plan. 



But there are several great imperfections and objections Faults of the 



against the present iron conductors. common iron 



, . conductors. 



The first is, the very short time they stand without being 



deeply corroded with rust, and when first put up the iron is 



so very irregular on the surface, that it is a great hindrance 



to the descent of the electric fluid, and calculated in a 



great measure to cause it to fly off to any other conducting 



substance in its way or near to it; and when up for a feiv 



years it becomes still worse, and so incrusted with rust, that 



the irregularity and imperfections of the conductor are in* 



creased. Another fault is, that the tops of the conductor* 



are not raised high enough above the building they are 



placed to protect; the point of the rod is in general placed 



just above the chimney. The rod ought to rise 6 or 8 feet 



above the top of the house or building, and to end in a 



single point only. If conductors are used, in every instance 



the best materials should be used to make them. Iron is 



the very worst material, and yet all conductors are made of 



iron ; but this arises from the cheapness of the article. 



According to the experiments of Mr. Henly, (published Conducting 



Un Dr. Rees*» Cyclopedia, under the article Conductors), ^^'^^^ ^iJf^' 



