[ 9 6 ] 
fixed to a ring In the top of an Iron flake, that was driven 
about four or five feet into the ground. The above 
mentioned iron rod had a hole in the top of it, about 
two inches deep, wherein was inferted a brafs wire, 
about two lines thick, and, when firft put there, 
about ten inches long, terminating in a very acute 
point ; but now its whole length was no more than 
leven inches and a half, and the top very blunt. Some 
of the metal appears to be miffing; the flendereft 
part of the wire being, as I fufpedt, confumed into 
i'moke. But fome of it, where the wire was a little 
thicker, being only melted by ffie lightning, funk 
down, while in a fluid ftate, and formed a rough ir- 
regular cap, lower on one fide than the other, round 
the upper end of what remained, and became inti- 
mately united therewith. 
This was all the damage, that Mr. Weft fuftained 
by a terrible ftroke of lightning. A moft convincing 
proof of the great utility of this method of prevent- 
ing its dreadful effects. Surely it will now be thought 
as expedient to provide conductors for the lig 
as for the rain. 
Mr. Weft was fo good as to make me a prefent of 
the melted wire ; which I keep as a great curiofity, 
and long for the pleafure of (hewing it to you. In the 
mean time, I beg your acceptance of the beft repre- 
fentation I can give of it; which you will find by 
the fide of the thermometer, drawn in its full dimen- 
fions as it now appears. The dotted lines above are 
intended to ffiew the form of the wire before the light- 
ning melted it. 
And now, Sir, I moft heartily congratulate you on 
the pleafure you muft have in finding your great and 
well 
