The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-28 00:00:00

ELECTRICITY AND ITS EFFECTS.

It will be remembered that on the anniversary of
Shrewsbury show, this year, the town and neigh-
bourhood was visited by a terrific thunderstorm,
which injured, among other places, the spire of the
Cemetery Chapels and the tower of St. Chad's
Church. The eminent firm of Lewis and Hibbert,
Manchester, thought this a fitting opportunity to
tender their services in fixing conductors upon ele-
vated buildings, chimneys, &c., by a most inexpen-
sive mode. Their services were accepted by the
officials of St. Cbad and St. Alkmund, the Asylum,
at Bicton, the railway works at Coleham, and vari-
ous places in the neighbourhood. The means used
to fix the wire; being a kite of very large dinien-
' sions, which is flown immediately over the summit
of the object, upon which the string of the kite is al-
lowed to rest, and by ancther stt ingthe kite is lowered
and a ci r t drawn up, by which a larger rope and
pulley is drawn up. Through this pulley a strong
rope is run, at the one end a seat is fixed sufficient
for a man to sit comfortably in, and se curing himself
there he may freely use his arms ; at the othei• end
are attache I weights to counterbalance the weight
of the man, and thus enable him to remain station-
ary, or draw himself up or down at pleasure. The
conductor is a copper rope, consisting of seven
strands of seven wires each, giving -a conducting
surface equal to a rod three inches in circumference.
This being once fastened at the top, is secured by a
number of insulators, in which are fixed glass
" holders," so to speak, through which the wires
run, thus effectually cutting off communication with
the stone-work ; the wire is then sunk several feet
into the earth, SO that the electricity may there spend
itself as it pleascs The officials of St. Alkmund's
also took the opportunity of having the vane taken
off and gilded while the conductor was bung fixed.
During the time they were engaged at St. Alkmund's
Mr. Falkener tried a few experiments with two of
his kites, both being fled from the same s'r:ng,
which practically proved the amount of electr:clty
in theatmosphere when there was not the slightest
appearance of a thunder cloud. The string with
which the kites were fled bad a small copper wire
ruoning through it, and down this came the electri-
cir y in such quantities that smart shocks were expe-
rienced by those who touched the rope. In order,
however, to give a few scientific gentlemen at
opportunity f witnessing the experiments, it
teas determined by Mr. Falkener to raise his
kies on Kinggand, on Friday last, and try
some more extensive operations with a Leyden jar,
but being without his own extensive apparatus these
were comparatively limited. The air was found to
be well charged, and instead of two kites three were
mounted, all, as hetore, from the same string, be-
ing about 50 or 60 yards apart. After the whole of
the string, amounting to 1,000 yards, -had been
payed our, and it was calculated that the kites were
at-out 600 yards high, several very smart shocks
were felt, which became very much stronger when
the jar was put into requisition ; the company pre-
sent formed themse!ves into a circle, and received
the shocks iu that position. After some time it was
determined to try if the electricity was strong
enough to fire gunpowder, a quantity of which was
exposed; after a short delay the experiment suc-
ceeded to the admiration of all present. It being
now late it was found necessary to haul d iwn the
kites, and the assemblage, which included several
scientific gentlemen, dispersed. Alas, whether
from old age, or a jerk, or too hard pulling, we
know not, but the string broke and the kites fled
away with the speed of the birds whose name they
bear, and were found late at night in the neigh-
tourhood. of Capthorn, we believe uninjured. We
need. not say that Mr. Falkener received the thanks
of those present fur permitting them to witness
' some of the effects of electricity. Shrewsbury
Journal.