VOL. LIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 133 



far frf)m an iron bar, which goes round, and rent out several large stones; some 

 of which fell into the bell, which was very near this part of the steeple, and was 

 the largest in the steeple; and passing below the bell, tore out at another place, 

 in a line with the former, a great number more. One of the stones, torn out 

 above the bell, was thrown to the north-east side of the tower. Between the 

 two places, in which the lightning had here exerted its fury, the wooden block, 

 which confined the axis of the frame of the great bell, and was fastened down 

 with two iron staples, was thrown off, and the staples tore out. No damage at 

 present seems done to the bell. 



It is remarkable, that less than 20 years ago, one of the stones of the obelisk 

 of this steeple was observed to be moved from its place, and project some inches 

 over those under it. This stone was about 7 feet from the top of the obelisk. 

 Danger being apprehended from this state of the spire, it was taken down to the 

 place where the stone was removed, and rebuilt with new stone. This accident 

 at that time was supposed to be owing to the ringing of the bells; but it is highly 

 probable, from what has lately happened, that as that stone was removed from 

 its place, very near to that part of the spire where it is now cracked and shivered 

 quite across, and several pieces of stone thrown down, it was owing to the same 

 cause as the pre!?ent damage, viz. lightning, though not at that time adverted to. 

 The lightning on June 18 came from the west and south west; the damage 

 done both to St. Bride's church and South Weald, was on the east and north 

 east sides, except that in the bell-loft at St. Bride's. The stones, both from the 

 steeple of St. Bride's, and in its tower, were thrown to the east and north-east. 



Since the communication of this paper to the Royal Society, the steeple of 

 St. Bride's has been surveyed, and found so very much damaged in several of its 

 parts, that 85 feet have been taken down, in order to restore it substantially. 

 Within these 85 feet are comprehended the obelisk, placed at the top of the 

 steeple, the small dome immediately under it, the space between that and the 

 uppermost or composite story, the composite story, and the Ionic story. This 

 last, on the east and north sides, was taken down to its bottom ; but on the 

 other sides, as they were not injured, some parts were permitted to stand. Three 

 piers were likewise taken down of the second Tuscan story, and one pier of the 

 Hrst. The scaffolding to take this down and rebuild it enabled me minutely to 

 examine, not only the damages occasioned by the lightning, but the manner of 

 its progress. This examination confirmed the opinion of the cause and manner 

 of this accident, which I communicated to the Royal Society soon after it hap- 

 pened i and before a near inspection could be obtained. It completely indicated 

 the great danger of insulated masses of metal to buildings from lightning ; and 

 on the contrary evinced the utility and importance of masses of metal continued, 

 and properly conducted, in defending them from its direful effects. The iron 



