PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING. JQg 



fluid might have passed so near the buildings, that every 

 part that was a conductor drew down the fire, as soon as the 

 rods, which had lost a part of" their power by rust. I say 

 all this might have been the case, and we therefore ought 

 not to say, that electric rods have been found ineffectual to 

 ward off destruction. 



I am desirous this subject should be fairly investigated, The subject 

 indeed it is a national concern, and 1 do wish some able .iJl?;,*'"'^*^ 

 person would take up the subject ; and if any of your cor- 

 respondentscould produce any one instance, where the rods, 

 having been found in proper order and position, have failed, 

 it would in a great measure prove their inutility. On the 

 other hand, if any one instance could be brought forward, 

 where they have proved beyond a doubt the protectors of a 

 building, that without them would have suffered, some 

 basis might be laid down to form a just idea upon. — This is 

 certain, that we have each year to record great losses, both 

 in property and lives, by the electric fluid ; and if some 

 plan could be devised, to remedy, ifbutinpart, the evil 

 experienced and complained of, great advantage and safety- 

 would be procured to society. — My opinion is, that electric 

 rods are sure and certain preservatives to every house, where 

 tliey are properly attached, if of the proper kind ; and if a 

 house can be secured, why not by the same means a whole 

 parish, by a proper number of conductors ? 



But conductors are of little or no use made in the way Conductors ia 

 they commonly are, of a piece of iron wire one quarter of p"®'"^' ^^' 

 an inch in diameter, or perhaps less ; for in many I have 

 examined they have not been so thick, some merely a strong 

 wire. These in a year or two are nearly or quite corroded 

 through with rust ; and they are attached in a careless way, 

 with a number of rusty points at top, directed to every point 

 of the compass, and rising just above the chimney. It ap- 

 pears, that, if a rod is placed against a house or building, 

 no matter how, the building is supposed to be safe ; and if 

 this house or building is injured by lightning, it is the rod 

 that was to have protected it, that is declared inefficacious. 

 These rods are generally put up by some carpenter, or • 

 builder, who knows nothing of the nature or properties of 

 the fluid he is guarding against, and therefore brings the i 



rod 



