on the Wires of the Electric Telegraph. 31 
gles to the spires; and such. was its intensity and quantity, that 
all the wires across which it passed were melted at points in the 
same straight line as if they had been cut in two by a sharp 
knife. 
The effects of the powerful discharges from the clouds may be 
prevented in a great degree, by erecting at intervals along the 
ine, and aside of the supporting poles, a metallic wire, connected 
with the earth at the lower end, and terminating above at the 
distance of about half an inch from the wire of the telegraph. 
By this arrangement the insulation of the conductor will not be 
interfered with, while the greater portion of the charge will be 
drawn off. I think this precaution of great importance at places 
where the line crosses a river, and is supported on high poles. 
Also in the vicinity of the office of the telegraph, where a dis- 
charge, falling on the wire near the station, might send a current 
into the house of sufficient quantity to produce serious accidents. — 
The fate of Prof. Richman, of St. Petersburg, should be recol- 
lected, who was killed by a flash from a small wire, which 
entered his house from an elevated pole, while he was experi- 
the wire, would, in preference, be conducted down the nearest 
pole. It will, however, in all cases, be most prudent to keep at 
mind at this time for obviating the effect, but that of increasing 
the size of the battery, and diminishing the sensibility of the 
