PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING. ^QQ 



whether what I have asserted is true, namely, the great da- a 



naage done yearly by Imhtning, and aiso the great necessity 

 of providing, if it is possible, some remedy; and if conduc- 

 tors are the only means that promise a remedy, those con- 

 ductors which atibrd the most beneficial and lasting results 

 wiU certainly ue chosen. This is. Sir, very much like rt- 

 commending my own invention : but if my rods are the best, 

 which 1 leave to every candid man to judge; and if society 

 is benttitted, 1 see uo reason why I siiould not be benefitted 

 al&o. The pres<?nt conductors on chipboard, where any are Conductors for 

 used, are I believe constructed of chains, which are the^^'P'* 

 worst of all conductors, as the lightning has to run down 

 the most irregular of surfaces, besides their being so clumsy. 

 But my brass rods might be so attached to the mainmast, 

 and the collecting point raised above the top ; and where the ' 



joints of the mast are, there might be a round universal 

 joint, that would bend in every direction with the mast. The 

 rod might be carried down thus into the sea, and the expense 

 of them would be so trifling, that one would hardly think 

 any vessel would be without one, especially when it is con- 

 sidered, they would be made of a metal allowed by all who 

 have written on electricity to be the best conductor of 

 lightning. 



I am. Dear Sir, 



B. COOK, 



Annotation. W. N, 



The subject of conductors for lightning being still ob- Conductors foi 

 8cure, I have with ples^sure inserted Mr. Cook's communi- figl^tning. 

 cation without considering, as at all needful, that an ac- 

 quiescence in its contents should be implied throughout on 

 my part. Being founded on the generally admitted doc- 

 trine, it is in many respects entitled to coniideration, and, 

 like all other ingenious researches, is calculated to excite 

 investigation. On the present occasion I would remark, 

 that the course, disposition, and striking places of thunder 

 clouds appear to be governed in a very great measure by 



certain 



