THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. 153 



imagined before his time that a similarity existed between 

 lightning and the electric fluid ; but Franklin brought this 

 supposition to the test, and proved the truth of it by the sim- 

 ple means of a boy's kite covered with 9, silk handkerchief 

 instead of paper, and some wire fastened in the upper part, 

 which served to collect and conduct the fluid. When he 

 had raised this machine into the atmosphere, he drew elec- 

 tric fluid from the passing clouds, which descended through 

 the flaxen string of the kite as a conductor, and was after- 

 wards drawn from an iron key which he tied to the line at 

 a small distance from his hand. This important experiment 

 immediately led to the formation of conductors to secure 

 buildings from the effects of lightning. 



When aqueous vapour is condensed, the clouds formed are 

 usually more or less electrical, and the earth belov^ them be- 

 ing brought into an opposite state, a discharge takes place 

 when the clouds approach within a certain distance, consti- 

 tuting lightning; and the collapsing of the air, which is ra- 

 refied in the electrical circuit, is the cause of the thunder, 

 which is moie or less intense, and of longer or shorter du- 

 ration, according to the quantity of the air acted upon, and 

 the distance of the place where the report is heard from the 

 point of the discharge. 



In gloomy pomp, whilst awful midnight reigns, 

 And wide o'er earth her snournful mantle spreads, 

 Whilst deep-voiced Thunders threaten guilty heads, 



And rushing torrents drown the frighted plains. 



And quick-glanced Lightnings, to my dazzled sight, 

 Betray the double horrors of the night : 



A solemn stillness creeps upon my soul. 

 And all its powers in deep attention die ; 

 My heart forgets to beat ; my steadfast eye 



Catches the flying gleam ; the distant roll, 

 Advancing gradual, swells upon my ear 

 With louder peals, more dreadful as more near. 



Awake, my soul, from thy forgetful trance ! 



The storm calls loud, and meditation wakes ; 



How at the sound pale Superstition shakes, 

 Whilst all her train of frantic fears advance ! 



