[ 22 3 ] 
gallery to thofe, which bring the water thence ; care 
being taken that, from the bottom of thefe lad, 
there lhould be a metallic communication, if there 
fhould be found to be none at prefent, with the wa- 
ter in the common fewer. Thus, without much 
expence, a compleat metallic communication may 
be made between the top of St. Paul’s church, and 
the water ; which had it been done at St. Bride’s, the 
ravages fo lately experienced had in all probability 
been prevented. 
From confidering the circumdances of this thun- 
der dorm, I cannot but be of opinion, that the in- 
jury done to St. Bride’s prevented mifchief to St. 
Paul’s. St. Bride’s is a very high building, and 
within a fmall didance nearly Wed of St. Paul’s. 
When this didance is confidered, and that the light- 
ning came in the direction of St. Bride’s to St. Paul’s, 
and that when the thunder cloud came near the for- 
mer, it exploded there, and parted with much of its 
force; what was left did no damage to the latter, tho’ 
the much higher and more expofed building, and 
having a metallic crofs at its top. 
I have recommended as metallic conductors copper 
wires of the fize of a goofe quill ; as, when of that 
thicknels, they may eafily be bent to any direction ; 
and, where thought neceflary, any number may be 
employed. I look upon this as a kind of dandard, 
from what Dr. Franklin wrote to Monf. Dalibard of 
Paris upon this fubjeCt *. He obferves, in a church 
which fuffered greatly by lightning at Newbury in 
Nevv-England, that though a fmall wire was beaten 
to pieces by lightning, and didipated by its force, 
the rod of a pendulum conducted the whole without 
* See Phil. Tranf. Vol. XLIX. p. 305. 
being 
5 
