THE REASON WHY. 137 



1 After it a voice roareth : he thundereth with the voice of his excellency ; and 

 he will not stay them when his voice is heard." JOB xxxvii. 



lightning-, therefore, has been proved to be equal to the raising of 

 384,000,000 Ibs. one foot in a minute. This is equal to the united 

 power of twelve of our largest steamers, having collectively 24 

 engines of 500 horse-power each. The velocity of electricity is so 

 great that it would travel round the world eight times in a minute. 



The church alluded to was St. George's church, Leicester, a new edifice, which 

 was completely destroyed on the 1st of August, 1846, by a thunderstorm. The 

 steeple was rent asunder, and massive stones were hurled to a distance of 

 thirty feet. The vane rod and top part of the spire fell down perpendicularly 

 a;id carried with it all the floors of the tower. A similar disaster occurred to 

 St. Bride's church, Fleet-street, London, about 100 years ago. The lightning 

 first struck upflri the metal vane of the steeple, and then ran down the rod and 

 attacked the iron -cramps, smashing the large stones that lay between them. 

 The church was nearly destroyed. By the same wonderful force, ships have 

 been disabled, trees split asunder, houses thrown down, and animals struck 

 dead. 



596. Why is it dangerous to stand near a tree during an 

 electric storm ? 



Because the tree is a letter conductor than air, and electricity 

 would probably strike the tree, and then pass to the person stand- 

 ing near. 



597. If trees are good conductors, why do they not convey 

 the electricity to the ground ? 



Trees are only indifferent conductors, and the electricity would 

 quit the tree to pass through any letter conductor. 



598. Why is it dangerous to sit near a jire during an 

 electric storm ? 



Because the chimney, being a tall object, and smoke a good 

 conductor, would probably attract the electricity, and convey it to 

 the body of a person sitting near the fire. 



599. Why is it dangerous to be near water during an 

 electric storm ? 



Because water is a good conductor, and the vapour arising from 

 it might attract the electricity. Man, being elevated over the 

 water, might form the first point attacked by the electricity. 



600. Are iron houses dangerous during an electric storm ? 

 No j they are very safe, because their entire surface is ft good 



