Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-06-04
Advice about Lightning.


1t is calculated that at least fifty per-
sons are killed by lightning every year in
this country, and as the season is ap"
preaching when casualties Of this kind
are Imminent, a few words of advice aud
caution upon the subject may serve as a
safeguard, if carefully observed.
During the prevalence of recent thun-
der-slOrm which visited the town and vi
emily of ST. Petersburg, Ill.,, two men
were suddenly killed by stroke OF light-
ming, which descended the chimney OF
the house in which they we're residing.
One OF the unfortunate victims was in the
act of winding clock that stood on the
mantle-piece, and the other was standing
Immediately behind him, when both were
struck Ilfeless. Two women were a! the
same time sitting in The room and escap-
ed injury, as they happened to be seated
some distance from the chimney.
When the lghtning's fash and the
thunde.'s crash are seen and heard al
most simultaneously, ii is sign that dan
ger is at hand, and the next bolt may
strike the tenement which affords US shell
ter. TO know the place of greatest safe
~ upon such an occasion is important
knowledge. This science clearly teaches
us, and as faithful monitor, It's voice
should be heard with attention.
The earth and atmosphere are satura'
ted with electricity, which ordinarily re-
mains in state of equilibrium. When
this condition is disturbed we have the
phenomena Of thunder-storms-which is
simply an effort Of nature 10 restore The
electric equilibrium between the atmos-
phere and the earth. The atmosphere in
such cases is converted into huge Ley
den air ; the Lightning is simply disrup-
tive discharges through the intervening
air and thunder is the sound caused by
the violent and sudden compression o.
the air producing waves. hence the long
continued roll like the discharge of artil-
lery. Lightning is the most subtle and
irresistible power Of nature. A single
flash can shiver the tall mast OF q war
ship tha! might bid defiance TO cannon
ade, or rend the lofty oak Of the forest 10
splinters in an instant and single bolt
has toppIed the TALL church spire 10 the
dust in the ,winkling Of an eye. What
is the puDy power Of man before such a
mighty agent! II is physically frail as
feather or a trembling leaf. Armed in
the panoply oS science, however, man,
like weak but skillful general, can man.
euvre his forces against this otherwise
destructive power, and convert danger in
10 comparative safety.
The discovery was made when Frank
lin proved the identity of lightning and
electricity with his little kite. Electrlci-
" possesses the peculiar property OF flow
ing quietly along or through what are
called conductors such as copper,
GOLD, iron, &c., and taking advantage of
this, the American philosopher suggested
the erection of tall rods of iron or COPPER
or houses and ships 10 tap the Leyden
jars of the atmosphere, and convey their
charges quietly and safely 10 the earth
This suggestion carried out saved thou
sands Of lives and millions worth OF prop
erty, hence all houses should be provided
with such conductors, but as is The case
now, perhaps the great majority OF the
buildings will always be supplied with
such agencies. In all such cases, it,
should never be fore ollen that the light
nIng always seems 10 pass to The earth
by the nearest prominent conductors,
hence we have an explanation OF the
cause why trees, masts of ships, steePIes
of churches, towers, and chimneys are so
often struck, and why the persons refer
red TO above should not have been stand
ing so near the fire place on The occasion
of q lhunder storm which sOsl them their
lives. In such storms, persons In houses.
should sill or lie in some place as far as
possible from the chimney corner, and Me
most exposed parts of the wslls-ihe mid
die of The room, if il is large, is the safest
locality. Sailors on the seas should keep
as far as possible from Tue masts. and tar
mers in fields should never seek shelter
nnder trees, The Horizontal strokes OF
l;ob,nino sometimes take place, and sew
-raI persons have been struck while SIT
,ipq a, open windows during thunder
storms. Every window of room IN
W bich persons are sitting in such eases.
should be closed, fash Of fluid, which .