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as the rain begins, and falls upon fo much of the ap- 
paratus, as is placed in the open air, the belis of the 
apparatus in the houfe ring, and the ele&rical fnaps 
fueceed each other in a very extraordinary manner. 
This demonftrates, that every drop of rain brings 
down part of the ele&ric matter, of a thunder cloud, 
and diffipates it in the earth and water; and prevents 
thereby the mifchiefs of its violent and fudden cx- 
plofion. Hence, when the heavens have a menacing 
appearance, a ihower of rain is much to be wifhed for. 
From thefe confiderations, 1 have no doubt, but 
that the mifchief done to St. Bride’s deeple was ow- 
ing to the efforts of the lightning, after it had 
poffcffed the apparatus of the weathercock, en- 
deavouring to force itlelf a paffage from thence to 
the iron work, employed in the ffeeple. As this 
mud. be done per J'altim , there being no regular me- 
tallic communication, it is no wonder, when its force 
is vehement, that it rends every thing which is not 
metallic, that obdru&s its eafy paflage ; and in this 
particular indance, the ravages increafed as the light- 
ning to a certain didance came down the deeple. 
To procure this eafy pafl'age and avert the ravage oc- 
cafioned by the want of it, in future, as much as our 
prefent knowledge in thefe matters will enable us to 
do, I cannot fudiciently recommend metallic com- 
munications between the metal at the top and water, 
either as has been before mentioned, or in any 
other convenient manner, taking care not to be too 
frugal of the metal employed. This was fird fug- 
geded by that excellent Philofopher Dr. Franklin; 
and fince much ufed in Philadelphia, and other parts 
of North America. 
Near 
