' [ 22 ^ ] 
feen, as in M. Romas’s kite*, to pafs from one of 
thefe to the other, as the beft and nearefl condudor. 
If danger however is apprehended, a piece of chain 
may be always at hand to be hung occafionally upon 
the upper knob, lb as readily to fall in comad with 
the lower. Orherwife, if while the metallic com- 
munication is divided, though when entire it is ap- 
prehended it may be touched with fafety, a perfon 
fb.ould touch the rod above the divifion and at the 
lame time touch or come very near the rod below 
the divifion with any part of his body; and at the 
fame inflan t if a fmart llroke of lightning affeded the 
apparatus, he would certainly be deftroyed, as hap- 
pened to profeffor Richmann at Peterfbourg ; the 
lightning going through his body from one part of 
the apparatus to the other, which it is believed it will 
not do, while the metallic communication is com- 
pleat. 
VIII. I have not heard that there has been here of 
late any particular mode of buildings, adapted to 
powdermagazir.es, to diminilli the fhock of the ex- 
ploiion in cafe of accident : nor do I believe that 
any attention has been here given, in conflruding 
thefe buildings, to prevent, by an apparatus of this 
kind, the effeds of lightning. 
Thefe, my Lord, are my anfwers to M. Calan- 
drini’s queftions. If they are fatisfadory to that 
ingenious gentleman, or have the leafl tendency to 
public utility, I fhall be gratified. As I know your 
Lordfhip’s zeal for philofophical difeuffions, I have 
taken the liberty of fending you thefe queries and 
* Philofophical Tranfa&ions, Vol. LII. p. 341. 
my 
