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VJII. Biographical Memoranda respecting Edward Hussev 

 Dki.avai., Esq. F.R.S. 



To Mr. Tlllodi. 



Sm, — As you have occasionally given place in your valu- 

 able Magazine, to some accounts of men of genius and real 

 merit, permit me through the same medium to pay a tril)ute of 

 respect to the memory of the late Edward Hussey Delaval, Esq. 

 of Parliament Place, Westminster, who died on the 14th of 

 August last, aged 85 years, and was buried in Westminster 

 A!)!)ey. 



■ Tliis gentleman was of a very ancient and noble family, and 

 the only surviving brother of the late John Hussey Lord Delaval, 

 which title is now extinct. 



Edward Hussey Delaval was Master of Arts and Fellow of 

 Pembroke Hall, Cambridge; an excellent classical scholar, and 

 well conversant in most languages both ancient and modern. 

 Chemistry and experimental philosophy were his favourite 

 pursuits. He was a great judge of music and the polite arts; 

 and the complctest set of musical glasses e\er produced in Eng- 

 latul, were made under his direction many years ago, and com^ 

 municated bv him to Dr. Franklin. 



()u the 2Sth of .June, 17(>4, he published an Account of the 

 Effects of Lightning- in St. Bride's Church, Fleet-street, which 

 happened on the i8th of that month. It was addressed to. 

 B. WiNon, Esq. F.R.S. with explanatory plates, and was read 

 at the Royal Society, c;f whicii Mr. Delaval had been elected a 

 Member in December 175i). 



On June 7, 1769, by desire of the Dean and Chapter of St. 

 Paul's, a Report was delivered to the Roval Society from 

 W. Watson, B. Franklin, B. Wilson, and E. Delaval, on the 

 means of securing St. Paul's Church from Lightning ; and mea- 

 sures were in consequence taken for that ]5ur]3ose. 



On the 22d of .ALircli 1772, St. Paul's Church was struck 

 with lightning, it was examined 1)y Mr. Delaval about a week 

 afterwards, and the effect stated to the Roval Society. 



.^oon after this jjeriod a difference of opinion arose amongst 

 the philosophers who had paid attention to electricity relative 

 to the choice of pointed or blunt conductors for the safety of 

 public buildings; and on February 20, 177'J, ?vlr. Delaval in u 

 letter to Mr. \A'ilson, published his observations on the subject, 

 and gave the preference to the use of blii'.it conductors ; statin^T, 

 that the intent of conductors is to guard the building from dan- 

 ger rather tiian to solicit it ; and adding; th.c following rcmtirk 



on 



