The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-07-29
From the Boston CentineI.

Some particulars attending Thunder Clap
IN dorchester, on the afternoon Of the l5th
inst.
A gentleman sitting at his window dur
ing the shower, was sensibly affected by
the vivid lightning and simultaneously
bursting explosion. He saw smoke rise
Tor nearly a minute from the surface of the
ground in pasture about twenty rods dis
tant, and thus indicating the place where
the bolt had struck. When the rain was
over he visited the place, as has the writer
'ot thus. The effects are very observable.
The electric auid forced a hole into the
ground, perfectly round, four inches iii di-
aineter and twenty inches deep, throwing
out some small stones which were marked
with livid blue streak, and incrusted with
4 yeHowlSh brown coat, which smelt strong
~ sulphurlc. Around the larger hole, and
at the distance of from six to twelve inches,
were seven or more small ones, about an
inch IN diameter, and of the same depth.
lie surrounding grass appears withered,
out not scorched, which seems singular, as
tne smoke, Indicating fire, was SO perceiva-
Ole at the time of the explosion. 1t is re-
markable, too, that, though there were sever
al large elm trees and barn in the vicinity,
the lightning was not attracted to them, but
struck on the grassy plain. H.
The above is another instance of the Gu
rlous effects of lightning. When it strikes
near the spectator, the sound and flash
must necessarily be almost simultaneous
But the sulphuric smell is remarkable
We have h; ii two opportunities to witness
the effect of lightning near at hand. 1t
was when the ship New York was repeat
edly struck at sea. Some of the same eff
fects were observable, as in this case
The rigging was enveloped with smoke:
there was a strong smell of sulphur left.
Wherever the fluid passed down the mast,
and along the deck, it left a dark streak.
When it struck the first time, there was no
lightning conductor up; and the conse-
quence was that il shattered the main-mast,
opened the planks between wind and water,
and we'll nigh sunk the ship. In the second
instance, chain conductor was up, and
though the second blast was much more
powerful than the first, yet it passed down
the chain into the sea, without doing other
injury than melting the chain. This is
proof of the efficacy of lightning conduct
ors at sea.
We copy from late paper, the following:
rheumatism. 1t appears that during
the recent earthquake in Spain, several per-
sons afflicted with violent rheumatism were
perfectly cured. This phenomenon is at
tributed to the effect of electricity, or the
revolution produced in the system by fright"
We can mention another curious fact
connected with this case, which we rarely
speak of, lest people should set it down as
kind of fish story, yet we can vouch for it.
J An old gentleman was on board, who was
violently afflicted with the govt, or rheuma-
tism: his wife stated that he not been able
to walk for months: after the ship re-
ceived this shock oflightning, this old gen.
tleman rose from his birth, and was not
confined to his birth afterwards during the
voyage. He was an Englishman, who had
for many years resided in New York
This curious fact s attested by many wit
! nesses.