94 Mr. Alden’s account of the effects of lightning. 
ty into the middle of the room. A part of the fluid passed from the 
moulding before mentioned, three or four feet, to the ornamental wood 
work over the mantle piece, where it split off, about six feet from the 
floor, a strip of several inches in length, threw down a small picture, 
and greatly tarnished the gilding of an elegant sours frame, which 
was fixed directly over the fire place. 
The room, of which we speak, is remarkably tight. The wind 
shutters, which are of the sliding kind, were all closed. The door 
was bolted. The fire board, which is fitted very nicely to the jambs, 
was in its place, previously to the tempest, but was thrown forward a 
few inches by the percussion, and rested against the top of the andirons, 
oa 
which were not removed. 
The members of the family, at home, were, providentially, ina 
part of the house remote from the scene of destruction, and were not 
aware of the injury done to the building, till informed by some of thei 
neighbours. If they had been in the room, which was so greatly dam- 
aged, at the time of this explosion, their lives, I think, must have 
been in the most imminent danger. 
Iam, reverend and dear sir, 
your humble servant, 
; Laer 
TIMOTHY ALDEN, ipo 
odes 
