Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-05-19
From the Scientific American
aN-u- - -. a Na-u.--H

1t is calculated that at least fifty persons are
killed by lightning every year in this country,
and as the season is approaching when casual
ties OF this kind are imminent, few words of
advice and caution upon the subject may serve
as a safeguard, if carefully observed.
During the prevalence of recent thunder
storm which visited the town and vicinity of St.
Petersburg, III two men were suddenly killed
by stroke of lightning which descended the
chimney of the house in which they residing
One of the unfortunate victims was in the act
winding a clock that stood on the mantlepiec
and the other was standing Immediately behind
him, when both were struck liieless Two
women were at the same time sitting in the
room and escaped injury, as they happened to
be seated some distance from he chimney.
When the lightning's flash and the thunder's
crash are seen and heard almost simultaneous
ly, it is a Sign that danger is at hand, and the
next bolt may strike the tenement which affords
us shelter. To know the place of greatest safe.
ty upon such an occasion is important in know
ledge This science clearly teaches us, aud as
faithful monitor, its voice should be heard
with attention at.
The earth aud atmosphere are saturated with
electricity, which ordinarily remains in state
of equilibrium. When this condition is disturb
ed we have the phenomena Of thunderstorm
which is is simply an effort of nature TO restore
the electric equilibrium between the atmosphere
and the earth. The atmosphere in such cases
is converted into huge Leyden jar the light
ming is amply disruplive discharges through the
! Intervening air; and thunder is the sound cauB-
ed by the violent and sudden compression Of the
airproducing waves, hence the long continued
roll like the discharge of artillery. Lightning
is the most subtle and irresistible power of ma.
turc. A single flash can shiyor the tall mast Of
war ship that might bid defiance to a canon
ade, OF rend the lofty oak of the forest TO spln-
ters in an instant; and a single bolt has tOppled
tho tall church spre to the dust in a twinkng
OF AN eye. What is the puny power Of man be-
fore such mighty agenti It's physically frail
as a feather or a trembling leaf Armed in tho
panoply of science, however, man, like weak
but skilliul general, can manmuvre his forces
against Ibis otherwise destructive power, and
convert danger into comparative safety
This discovery was made when franklin
proved the identity of lightning and electricity
with his little kite. Electricity possesses the
! peculiar property Of flowing quietly along or
/ through what are called "oonductors," such as
copper gold, iron, DC; and taking advantage
Of this, the American philosopher suggested the
erection Of tall rods of iron or copper on houses
and ships, to tap the Leyden jars OF the atnos-
pheFe, and convey their charges quietly aud
safely to the earth This suggestion carried out
has saved thousands of lives aud millions worth
Of property, hence all houses should be provid-
wish such conductors but as is the case now,
perhaps the great majority Of buildings will al
ways be unsupped with such agencies, In all
such cases il should never be forgotten that the
lightning always seeks to pass to the earth by
the nearest prominent conductors, hence we
have an explanation Of the cause why trees,
masts Of ships, steeples Of churches, towers and
chimneys are 90 often struck, and why the per
sons referred TO above should not have been
standing so near the fireplace on the occasion
Of thunder storm which cost them their lives
In such storms, persons in houses should sit OF
lie in some place as far distant as possible from
The chimney, aud the most exposed parts Of the
walls-tho middle of the room, il it 10 large, ia
the safest locality Sailors on the sea should
keep as far from the masts as possible, ant
farmers in the fields should never seek shelter
under trees Horizontal strokes Of hghlninI
sometimes take place, and several persons havl
been struck while sitting at open windows dur
ing thunder storms. Every window Of room
ia which persons are sitting, ia such cases
should be closed a fash Of the fluid, whicl
would pass through an open window into al
apartment will be conducted down through th
hoor and wall to the earth If the window Is shut
; We have thus given some direction IN be fol
lowed by all persons during the prevalence q
lightning, and wo have set forth the science d
tho question, so that all may not only soc th
reasonableness Of our remarks, but their sea
sonablenoss also.