The New York herald., 1844-12-13
sUBJEor--" LIoHrNINa RODS"

WADNASOAi SNhNtNds Lev -
SUBJECT" LIGHTNING RODS"
The peculiar interest of this subject OF enquiry,
whether regardedia its philosophical causes, or itu
well experienced effects as nigh. be supposed. at
uacted many to the scene OF investigation, and
the room presented not only an audience Of the
highest responsibility, but several of those TO whom
the public are largely Indebted for many promine nj
effortsto extend the discoveries N modern science,
and thereby promote the development OF human
genius in the cultivation or further Improvement In
intellectual research. The chair was taken by the
President, Professor MAPEs, and Mr.. MRIGs, as
usual, recorded the proceedings.
The PRESIDENT, In concise manner explained the
turs the SUBJECT they invited 70 investigate and
which the respective merits Of the ball and the point
formed exciting debate He then asked, Why light
n'Sk NJ S olSss @ s.rs ross and with vosby Of expires
sion which could follow, and sngularity OF ac
tion which could initiate entered into descri
oi electricity % Al rst we supposed that Mr. Oliver
smith had prepared himself by gavanic process for the
could Distinguish an occasional spark from the battery
evidently communicated to the President and elec
tfifed all within its contact
had formed for himself certain definitions Of terms that
for brevy he would introduce into his remarks. and fur
r whsn he "hsd to de-
scribe positive electricity he would de gnate 1t BY the
word uiro." contraction Of vitrious (glassl and
electricity he would use the term, Reno" (ether). If
science wanting in his amusing illustrations, vast
sistent with truth and reason This gentleman having
spun out his thread Of legitimate time,
TO question from the Chair " Should Lightning Rods
have y? Dr. JONES stated the fact Of ST.
Peters in Rome being 50 frequently struck with lightning
to render investigation necessary how such ca
tipped with gold thmbls, 10 prevent oxcidation.
For seven subsequent years the church was never
c'ed n gn % ne t Was y, o. eaD sna a
to be proved what the silent action Of the rods consist
ed inbut from this fact alone, he was in favor Of
President afforded proofs Of steam being powerful
ductor OF electricity and furnished ncontesbs evidence
By dscnS
from he circle, in which the rod was the radius. DR.
Jones expressed his opinion upon the careessness Of
rods" and suggested the propriety of Insurance oces
regulating their polices according to the means adopted
Susstion"The power depends on the quantity Of
sur.ace" DR.. Jones exempl6ed Morse's telegraph =
During thunder storm he heard snapping the
is conductor of electricity, and that the points
the attraction light heat aud electricity being the
Mr. MEIos read an article from the London Quarterly in
favor Of fiat bars running the ridge the roof instead
Of round rods and descending from the ridge to the clay
well ether fiat bars enclosed within the cfcc, &c
The PRESIDENT put number Of highly important ques
tions such as" The best mode Of attaching lightning
rods 7" Are glass rings used ~" What kind OF points
are now used ~" Whether platina used which is
capable of oxidation ~ Here q gentlemen stated that
paint Is conductor, provided the point is bare Of
paint variety Of other questions, tending to show the
advantages TO be derived from electricity proposed
by the President and will become the means Of further
extending their research into science thapresents many
useful applications in the progress arts agriculture and
medicine el
This being the evening for eecng officers for the
sNing year it proposed by Mr. LEACH that Professor
Mapes should beS reelected President H. R. linton
ADD Thos Stephens Vice Presidents and Judge Megs
Secretarya Of which carried by acclamaton
when the meeting adjourned. first announcing the SUBJ
ect Of Electricity" for the consideration Of the
bers for the next evenings meeting It will be remem
bered that these conversations Free and worthy
Of the attention of the young well the advanced in
age and experience.