32 On Paratonnerres. [Jan. 



Article VII. 



On Paratonnerres. 



(To the Editors of the Annals of Philosophy.) 



GENTLE3IEN, Dec. 10, J824. 



I HAVE read with much interest the article in your last num- 

 ber by M. Gay-Lussac, uu Paratonnerres ; and as I have long- 

 wished to erect one on my house in London, I should take it as 

 a great favour if you could, in one of your next numbers, devote 

 a few lines to satisfy me and some more of your constant readers, 

 who feel equally anxious on the subject with myself, as to the 

 practicability of placing a conductor to a house in a street in 

 London, without endangering, by the attraction of the electric 

 fluid, the safety of the houses contiguous, and also whether you 

 know of any persons who are in the habit of undertaking the 

 erection of such conductors. 



I remain, Gentlemen, your very humble servant, 



A Constant Reader. 



A " Constant Reader " need be under no apprehension of 

 endangering the neighbouring houses by erecting a paratonnerre 

 on his own. He will observe in our translation of Gay-Lussac's 

 article on that subject, in our last number, that paratonnerres 

 are in general use in the large towns in America, and we believe 

 there is no instance on record of mischief of the nature he 

 apprehends, having been produced by them. When raised to a 

 sufficient height above the chimney'^, and furnished with sharp 

 copper poinis (if well gilded so much the better), they may not 

 only save a building if struck, by conveying the lightning in a 

 harmless current to the ground, but also, for the reasons given 

 in our last number, pp. 4'Jy and 438, prevent the stroke altoge- 

 ther. The directions given by M. Gay-Lussac, both as to the 

 mode of constructing the apparatus, and of fixing it, should be 

 carefully attended to, especially observing that there must be no 

 breaks in any part of the paratonnerre, and that it descend to a 

 sufficient depth into a well of water, or ground that is constantly 

 moist. 



We are not acquainted with any artist who has paid particular 

 attention to the subject, but from our knowledge of his abilities, 

 and the excellence of all the philosophical apparatus that we 

 have had occasion to employ, which has been made by him, we 

 should recommend Mr. jVewman, of Lisle-street, "Leicester- 

 square, as the fittest person we know to be employed on such 

 an occasaion. — C. and P. 



