PROTECTION FROM LIGIITNING. 57 



The number of losses 222 



The number of losses by lightning 11 



Mr. Wiggin adds, " I do not find a loss among these eleven that 

 was protected by lightning rods." 



No man has a right to suppose from the claims made by any 

 intelligent advocate of lightning rods, that old rusty irons about 

 a building, with, loose joints and perhaps with actual breaks, and 

 with one end planted simply beneath the surface of the soil, can 

 furnish anything like adequate protection ; but from a sufficient 

 number of rods as large as recommended, in good condition, prop- 

 erly poinded, in perfect metalMc continuity, and extending into 

 the earth -in the manner and to the depth previously indicated 

 necessary, almost absolute security from lightning may with the 

 fullest confidence be expected. 



I have yet to learn of the first instance in which the conditions 

 of protection shown to be needful, have been fully complied with, 

 and disastrous consequences from lightning have followed. 



In noticing the properties and effects of lightning — St. Elmo's 

 fire — a discussion of the questions, "Do persons struck by light- 

 ning see the flash ?" " What organs are most usually affected in 

 death or injured by lightning?" and several other points in- 

 volving considerations of exceeding interest, were necessarily 

 omitted to give place to the treatment of topics, if not so fraught 

 with interest, yet deemed indispensable. 



This paper already too long protracted should not be concluded 

 without a word in favor of that agent, which throughout has been 

 treated as an enemy. By it the air we breathe is made purer ; 

 by it, from the combinations it effects in the elements of the atmos- 

 phere, the results of which are brought to the earth in summer 

 showers, the soil we cultivate is made richer ; by it, when under 

 the control of man as he is learning to control it, the homes we 

 inhabit are made happier through the advantages derived from the 

 encomparable swiftness with which it flashes our thoughts from 

 continent to continent, and almost literally around the world. 



While remembering and acknowleding its beneficience, let us 

 not forget that He who " directeth his lightning unto the ends of 

 the earth," has pointed out the means by which we may protect 

 our firesides and all we hold most clear from its otherwise terrific 

 or fatal attacks. 



