/ 



JLffcSls of Light nktg upon a Dwelling Houfe, c^^ 



laetween the breflwork and die marble mantle piece,' entered 

 the chimney and went oflF. 



«^ *W W 



It may be a "queflion, why the whole charge did not go 

 down the condu(5lor to the earth ? ^'^ " 



P« 



I imagine the rod did not enter fufficicntly deep into the 

 ground. From its explofion through the cellar wall, it is evi- 

 dent the earth was not fufficlently wet to carry it eafily ojff. 

 Meeting with an obftrudion in its direct courfe, it fought an- 

 other ; and the irorfs for the bell machinery, abovementlon- 

 ed, afforded the moil; ready condu(5ling matter. The water 

 alfo, which fell in a torrent, rendered the paffage of the light- 



^ 



ning eafy, from the condudlor to the part of the houfe where 



it entered. 



With two obferA^ations I will finifh this account, which I 

 fear is too long. 



r 



The firfl is, that the part of the rod which enters the 

 ground, fhould go deep enough to be always in moid 

 earth, and that it fhould turnyro/« the building. Had thefe 

 things been attended to, it is probable there would have been 

 no explofion into the cellar from the foot of the rod. 



i *« 



The other is, that great care fliould be taken not to have 

 any good conducing matter near the rod. The iron machine- 

 ry for houfe bells, being about eighteen inches from the 

 condudling rod, no doubt, attraded that portion of the charge, 



which entered the houfe, and produced the effeds which ha\tr 



been 



