ELECTRICITY. 



ardor by philosophers in every part of Europe. The 

 first experimenters incurred considerable risk in their 

 attempts to draw down electricity from the clouds, as 

 was soon proved by the fatal catastrophe, which, on the 

 sixth of August, befel Professor Richman, of Peters- 

 burgh, whose name has been already before us. He had 

 constructed an apparatus for observations on atmosphe- 

 rical electricity, and was attending a meeting of the 

 Academy of Sciences, when the sound of distant thun- 

 der caught his ear. He immediately hastened home, 

 taking with him his engraver, Sokolon, that he might 

 delineate the appearances that might present themselves. 

 While intent upon examining the electrometer, a large 

 globe of fire flashed from the conducting rod, which was 

 insulated, to the head of Richman, and passing through 

 his body, instantly deprived him of life. A red spot 

 was found on his forehead, where the electricity had 

 entered, his shoe was burst open, and part of his clothes 

 singed. His companion was struck down, and remain- 

 ed senseless for some time ; the door case of the room 

 was split, and the door itself torn off its hinges.' 



