The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-07-25
lightning Rods.

which has been reported from various quar-
tiers, has called attention to the subject off pro
tecting buildings by Lightning Rods. and thi
more particularly since two of the houses re
Gently struck, i'll one of which the occupan
was Instant killed, were furnished with thi
means of protection. Do these conductor
of the electric fluid furnish any reliable securi
ty against its destructive agency, is ques
ton asked by some, just now, as if, in view
of the fact just stated, an affirmative answer
could not be confidently given. Scientific in
vestigations and experiments have, however
established certain facts in relation to thu
subject which cannot be called in question
NJ. -Arago, distinguished French experiment
er and collector OF facts pertaining to clectri
ca! phenomena, gives as the result of his re.
searches the most satisfactory testimony
to the reliability of properly con-
structcd and adjusted Lightning Rod to pre-
tcct building from injury Hardly case
is on record, where building having rod
has been injured by lightning, i'll which sub.
sequcnt investigation has not been able to
show the cause. either in defective construc-
ton or attachment of the conductor. Too lit
tie attention has been given to this latter
point by those who have been recently furn-
ishing their houses with this reputcd safe
guard from lightning. \ few suggestions in
respect to certain facts established by hume
rous experiments may be of service to them
and others in future
In this immediate vicinity. where the soil
is destitute of springs and moisture to con-
siderable depth, the point most needing at
tention is the termination of the Rod in the
earth. If it be allowed to terminate in bed
of dry sand or coarse gravel at the depth of
three or four feet beneath the surface. lust as
many rods probably Go, it will Frequently
furnish 10 protection to the building wl,atcv-
er, but rather invite injury. Our surface soil
to the depth of eight or ten feet, is usually. at
tins season. 4 non-conductor of electricity :
and Rods should always extend deep enough
to reach moist or conducting portion of the
earth \ reliable connection with sucl, Dor
ton of the soil will be secured hv tcrmna-
ting the rod where the water from a waste
pipe or sink keeps the earth in a conducting
state.
AS to the extension of the rod upw ards the
rule :yncrallv assigned. and which is proha-
bly, not without facts III its support. requires
an elevation equal to onc-tour,h of the diam
ctcr of the circles it is to protect But hou>-
cS with several ch mne.s often require sever
al rods. and in such cases each rod should de-
>ccnd to the earth. and that bv the most di-
rect route. \ connection between the rods
i'll such cases is said to increase the pro.cc-
ton sought
Some rods are too small. An iron rod
should. for elevated buildings. be- at least
thrcc-tourths Of an inch in diameter. E,r
when several rods are attached 10 the same
building. and each extends directly 10 the
ground. 4 small size will furnish the requisite
security. Copper is a better material for rods
than iron. being better conductor Of clcc-
tricitv and less fable To lose its conducting
power from exposure to the weather.
Among The facts collected hy NJ. .\rago in
his inquiries upon this subject we add the fol
lowing. which may not be without interest to
our readers:
THE Temple at Jerusalem stood from the
time of Solomon ill the year 20 of the Chris
tan Era a period of above 4 thousand wears.
1t was remarkably exposed to The frequent
and violent storms incidental to Palestine.
BmH ~"snr'r S''7rk by lightning. Ncith-
cr the Bible nor .Ioscphu> mention any such
fact. which. if it had occurred would have cx-
cited general attention. and have been Ger
tanlv recorded. Besides it was covered with
wood both within and without. and must have
b cn set on fire if it had been struck. The
cause of its protection through period of
ten centuries. in the midst of ror tinual tl,n
der storms. and ages before the invention of
lightning rods. is easily explained. Bv cir
cum>tancc apparently forfri,nn~ the Temple
was provided with conductors similar in prin-
ciple to those invented by Franklin. The
roof of the building was formed of cedar COW
cred with thick gilhng, and from end to end
was adorned with a row of lanccs of iron or
steel pointed and Sildcd According to Jo-
sephus. the Architect intended these to pre-
vent Birds from dcfiling the roof. The sew
eral fronts of the building were constructed
throughout their whole extent of wood thick
ly gilt. Finally. under the porch were els
terms into which the waters frorl the roof
were discharged through metallic pipes pro-
vlded for that purpose. 1t appears, there
tore, that tie roof was protected BY large
number of pointed metallic rods. communca-
ting with metallic conductors which were con-
tinued to cisterns Of water below, so that the
most carefully constructed lightning rods of
the present day could not confer greater safe
IT,"
AfFRAY.-By private letter to one of our
citizens from gentleman lately living here
but now resident of Georgia, we learn
that in Amcricus, Georgia, July :, II. W.
Shaw gave {. W. Hancock beating for
abusive language. Hancock associated with