I 
16 Mr Dunn''s Descrlptlo^i of the Whirlwind 
more violent effects. Impenetrable as the arcana of Nature seem 
to bej the eye of the philosopher must turn to electrical science 
alone, veiled as she is in darkness and uncertainty, for a true 
explanation. The connection of electricity with galvanic, mag- 
netic, and chemical attraction,- — its universal agency in pointing 
the thunderbolt, as well as in forming a drop of water, unequi- 
vocally elevate it, as far as finite search can reach, to the dignity 
and station of first causes. Kir wan observes, that winds ap- 
pear to begin at that point towards which they blow.” Hence 
we may easily suppose the operation of this powerful agent act- 
ing in one common centre, in the opposite currents of wind ; 
the violent and instantaneous agitation of the clouds, — their ra- 
pid attraction and repulsion from one common point, — their sud- 
den descent from this centre to the earth,— their partial influ- 
ence on the waters below ; the whole immediately following a 
thunder-storm of undoubted electrical origin, and taking the 
same direction from the west with both that and the violent 
storm a few days afterwards, 
Dr Franklin’s opinion of the identity of water-spouts and 
whirlwinds, is strongly corroborated by the instance before us. 
The ancients seem also to have considered them modifications of 
each other. Lucretius thus describes the prester or water-spout : 
“ For as the cone descends, from every point 
A dread tornado lashes it without, 
In gyre perpetual, through its total fall ; 
Till, ocean gained, the congregated storm 
Gives its full fury to th* uplifted waves. 
Tortur’d and torn, loud howling midst the fray. 
Oft, too, the whirlwind from the clouds around 
Fritters some fragments, and itself involves 
Deep in a cloudy pellicle, and close 
Mimics the prester, length’ning slow from heaven ; 
Till, earth attain’d, th’ involving -web abrupt 
Bursts, and the whirlwind vomits, and the storm,” &c. &c. 
Good’s Translation. 
As the thunder-storm on the 29th was unusually severe, and 
as it is somewhat connected with my subject, for I am convinced 
it settled the unseasonable state of the weather, I perhaps may 
be excused in detailing its effects on a house which it struck, in 
the occupation of my friend Mr Greave. This building faces 
the south ; the tempest came from the S.SW. ; the lightning 
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