214 CONDITIONS OF ELECTRICAL MANIFESTATIONS. 



We find electricity in the atmosphere, which the 

 electrical kite of Dr. Franklin proved to be identical 

 with that principle produced by the friction of glass. In 

 the grandeur and terror of a thunderstorm, many see 

 nothing but manifestations of Almighty wrath. When 

 the volleys of the bursting cloud are piercing the 

 disturbed air, and the thunders of the discharge are 

 pealing their dreadful notes above our heads, the 

 chemical combinations of the noxious exhalations 

 arising from the putrefying animal and vegetable 

 masses of this earth are effected, elements fitted for the 

 purposes of health and vegetation are formed, and 

 brought to the ground in the heavy rains which usually 

 follow these storms. Science has taught man this: has 

 shown him that the " partial evil" arising from the 

 "winged bolt" is a "universal good;" and, more than 

 this, it has armed him with the means of protecting his 

 life and property from the influence of lightnings. So 

 that, like Ajax, he can defy the storm. By metallic 

 rods, carried up a chimney, a tower, or a mast, we may 

 form a channel through which the whole of the 

 electricity of the most terrific thunder-cloud may be 

 carried harmlessly into the earth or the sea ; and it is 

 pleasing to observe that at length prejudice has been 

 overcome, and " conductors" are gene-rally attached to 

 high buildings, and to most of the ships of our navy.* 

 It was discovered that the devastating hailstorms of the 

 south of France and Switzerland, so destructive to the 

 vineyards and crops, were accompanied by evidences of 

 great electrical excitation, and it was proposed to dis- 

 charge the electricity from the air by means of pointed 

 metallic rods. These have been adopted, and, it is said, 



* On Lightning Conductors, by Sir William Snow Harris ; 

 Observations on the Action of Lightning Conductors, by W. Snow- 

 Harris, Esq., F.R.S. London Electrical Society's Transactions. 

 Numerous valuable papers On Electricity, by Sir William Harris, 

 will be found in the Philosophical Transactions. 



