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

apprehended from thunder. The danger II
over, when we hear The noise Of the electri'
city.
The ancieuts 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 sure defence against
lightning. Augustus always kept one by
himl The em2erors OF Japan were, until
quite recently, accustomed to enter a cave,
for safety, on the approach of tempest; and
q reservoir was kept filled with water before
the mouth Of the cave, 10 extinguish the fire
Of the lish.ning- 10 Rassia, il was formally
the custom 10 close tie doors and windows
and 10 fiji 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 tbundef-stoaes, 50
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 that the nature Of lightning is
known, we are enabled to understand the
proper method of protecting ourselves and
our property against lie 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 il come upon build
ing provided with them. And this Il uni.
formly does, unless the discharge is 60 grea!
that the rods will not hold IL. Then soma nf
the fluid may branch of, and do some dam
age on It's track, while still the larger par,
goes harmlessly into the ground, on the con.
ductors. ~
AS ii Is very important that lighlning-rods
should be perfect, they should always be put
up in the best manner, and by pracliced
hand. A lew 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.
jsct careful study, and 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 efeclual, which are followed 10 9TH
er neighborhoods, and, like Mr.. Orcutt's, pro.
vide all possible security and permanence,
with dug eveuomys' y
Most persons are now aware that il is not
safe to seek shelter from the -ain, which usu-
ally accompanies thunderstorm, under a
Tree. 1t may be we'll to know the reason for
this danger. The pointed leaves OF trees
were arranged by the Creator 10 be eahh's
lightning.conductors 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 its way 10 the ground,
for the human body, which is much better
conductor.
Moisture is good conductor Of electricity.
Therefore, every lightning-rod should termi.
nate in moist ground; or, when convenient,
in sink-drain or well. II Is owing to this
conducting power of moisture, that lightning
is less likely 10 do injury when 1t rains yio-
lently, than when The air is dry. When ii
begins 10 rain before The thunderstorm has
become violent, we may be always sure that
the storm will be less severe than il 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 fiue and
ii is not very safe to occupy a seat ir such o
house near the fireplace.
The danger from lightning is not SO great
as many suppose. II is said that twerty per-
sons are annually killed by drowning for one
injured BY lightning. tits not we'll, therefore,
TO be always timid al the approach Of thun-
der.storm, SO as 10 adopt any needless OF ri
diculous method Of protection, such as dress
ing in a silk robe, hiding in cave, rushing
down cellar, lying upon tssiher.bed, OF
sitting in chair in the middle Of the room
with the feet upon the rundles. ~
I |, is best 10 keep the mind free from unne.
cessary anxiety at all times; and quite as
much so in thunderstorm as al oihertimes.
If person be uneasy, and feel desirous Of
doing all that is possible TO prevent the dan.
ger ofiniury from lightning, some things may
be attended 10. But, in ordinary showers
which do not pass Immediately over us, no
precauiion is needed. When the storm is
more threatening, it may be we'll to remem.
Der some Of the laws which govern the dis
charges, or determine their direction.
Therefore, avoid q position near a tree, in
a DRAFT ofair, neara 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 Crea'or, as 10 know that he will
care for rs, as well when the forked light
Eings play around our homes, and the heavy
thunder rolls tefrifcaly over our heads, as
when we cit in the quiet OF q calm summer
evening.
g No. long since, youth, older in vii
Than in years afier being catechised conce rn-
ing the poWer of Natura repli ed-WMa.