The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-06-17

any one may see that there is danger TO be
apprehended from thunder. The danger is
over, when we hear the noise of the eec,ri-
city.
The ancien,s were much afraid OF thunder.
bolts, as they called electrical discharges
Their ways of protecting themselves were
the results Of superstition and ignorance, and
were very foolish. The Romans believed
that seal-skins were q sure defence against
lightning. Augustus always kept one by
him! The emperors Of Japan were, until
quite recently, accustomed 10 enter cave,
for safety, on The approach of tempest; and
a reservoir was kept filled with water before
the mouth OF the cave, 10 extinguish the fire
Of the lightning. In Russia, it was formerly
the custom 10 close tie doors and windows,
and 10 fill up the key-holes, 10 prevent the
.evil spirits, whom God was supposed to be
pursuing in the storm, from entering. In
many countries, there are thunder-s.ones, SO
called, which are supposed, by ignorant peo-
pie, to have the power 10 keep out lightning,
if the door-posts Of the house are struck three
times with one of them.
But, now tha, the nature of lightning is
known, we are enabled to understand the
proper method of protecting ourselves and
our property against lis violence. AS we
know how easily electricity can be conducted
by metals, we are taught 10 put up metallic
rods, with the expectation that lightning will
obey its own laws, and follow such rods on
its way 10 the earth, if it eome upon build
lng provided with them. And this il uni
formly does, unless the discharge is so grea.
that the rods will not hold it. Then some of
the fluid may branch of, and do some dam
age on it's track, while still the larger part
goes harmlessly into the ground, on the con.
duclors.
AS il IL very important that lightning rods
should be perfect, they should always be put
up in the best manner, and by pracliced
hand. A few dollars saving may cost many
lives and much property. There are many
persons employed 10 do this work who do
not understand their business, and know
nothing of the science upon which il depends.
DR.. King, formerly Of Boston, made the sub.
ject careful s!udy,'an invented method
which has since been improved upon by Mr..
Orcutt, so that nothing seems desired in this
direction. There are probably other plans
quite as effectua, which are followed in 9th
er neighborhoods, and, like Mr.. Orcutl's, pro.
vide all possible security and permanence,
with due economy.
Most persons are now aware that il is not
safe TO seek shelter from the .ain, which usu-
ally accompanies a thunderstorm, under
Tree. 1t may be we'll to know the reason for
this danger. The poinled leaves oil trees
were arranged by the Creator 10 be eanh's
Lightning g-conduclor A metal point will not
discharge electricity SO fast as blade OF
grass! But The trunks and roots Of trees are
not very good conductors. So The lightning,
which the leaves attract, will be most certain
10 leave the tree on It's way 10 the ground,
for the hu nan body, which is a much better
conductor.
Moisture is good conductor Of electricity.
Therefore, every lghtnns-rod should termi.
nate in moist ground; or, when convenient,
in sink-drain or we'll. 1t Is owing 10 this
conducting power of moisture. that lightning
is less likely 10 do injury when 1t rains vio-
lenlly, than when the air is dry. When il
begins TO rain before the thunderstorm has
become violent, we may be always sure that
the storm will be less severe than ii Otherwise
would have been. A thunderstorm withou,
rain is usually very disastrous. Such storms
are most common in the tropical regions.
SCOT IS good conductor. Therefore, when
the discharge of electricity falls upon house
which has no metallic conductor, the fluid is
quite likely to follow the chimney flue; and
i, is not very safe to occupy seat ir such
house near The fireplace.
The danger from lightning is not so great
as many suppose. 1t is said that twenty per-
sons are annually killed by drowning for one
injured by lightning. 1t is not we'll, therefore,
10 be always timid al the approach OF thun-
der.s,orm, SO as TO adopt ary needless or RI
diculous method Of protection, such as dress
lHS III DIN fOpo, uiuiHS III Ctfol iusuiHS
down cellar, lying upon feather, bed, or
sitting in chair in the middle Of the room
with The feet upon the rundles.
II is best 10 keep the mind free from unne-
cessary anxiety at all times; and quite as
much SO in thunderstorm as at oihertimes.
If person be uneasy, and feel desirous of
doing all that is possible 10 prevent the dan.
ger of injury from lightning, some things may
be attended TO. But, in ordinary showers
which do not pass immediately over us, no
precaulion is needed. When the storm is
more threatening, it may be we'll to remem.
ber some OF the laws which govern The dis
charges, or determine their direction.
Therefore, avoid position near tree, in
a draft of air, near fireplace, or close by a
large surface of metal which is not connected
with the ground. And, besides, every one
should cultivate such sense of dependence
upon the Creator, as to know that he will
,are for us, as we'll when the forked light.