The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-03
Misftllaaeous.



There are indications that we may an
'ticipate severe electrical disturbances
during the coming summer. The winter
has been unusually long and severe Alb
normal weather has occurred over most
parts Of the globe. Reports Of severe
thuudentorms reach us from the Cape and
the anaipOdes Exceptional conditions Of
this kind abroad usually presage similar
conditions in England Coming events
cast their shadows before But whether
the coming summer be above or belowihe
average, We are bound to call attention TO
the fearful apathy and gross carelessness
evineed in not protecting buildings from
atmospheric electrical discharges,
During two severe storms in England
in June, 1872, there we're ten deaths ard
fifteen eases Of injury to human beings;
sixty houses struck, and fifteen burnt
down; and twenty-three horses and cattle,
and ninety-nine sheep, killed Those ac-
cidents that are not recorded are innum.
cradle. In large towns damage to property
is more frequentthan destruction Of human
life; but in the open country, destruction
of life is perhaps more frequent than des-
truction of property, unless we except
trees, which are ruined in thousands every
year, and unfOrtunately-from their size
and growth-the finest suffer.
Lightning protection is therefore not
only a necessity, but il is a source Of salts
faction and comfort. 1t is difficult to
comprehend the reasons why il is not
more largely adopted. 1t is not its inutil.
ity-for the beneficial effect of lightning
conductors among outbuildings and our
shipping is incontestible. II is not its
expense-for house can be protected for
less sum of money than is required to
bed out parterre. 1t is not its difficulty
for any skilled workman or energetic
landlord can do it with ease.
DIR, Mann, the President of the Mete-
geological Society, has done good service
in reading an exhaustive aud able paper
on the subject before the Society of Arts,
and an admirable notice of it was given
in the London Times DIR. Mann has
supplemented this notice with an excellent
letter to the leading Journal on the pre-
cautions to be taken, especially with the
tall zinc tubes now so largely used for
chimney tops. Mr. Preeee had previous
ly called attention, in the Times, to the
danger of ehimneys, lined as they are with
SCOT, flled with ascending currents of heat
ed air and smoke, and terminated in CRATES,
acting as lightning conductors. If all
such chimney pots be connected with the
water pipes by galvanized iron ropes, and
If all these pipes make good earth Chat is
to say, have large metallic surface in
contact with the earth house is as safe
from lightning as 4 collier in mine.
All lightning protectors should be con-
structed on proper scientific principles,
and we have published in our columns
many valuable papers on the subject The
great desiderata to be urged arc the en-
ployment of perfectly continuous metallic
ropes or rods, the use of good earths, and
the termination Of the conductors in the
air in points A great fact to be remem-
bered is that joints, and earths, and points
deteriorate, and lose their efficiency; they
therefore require frequent examination
aud frequent renewal. Lightning eonduc-
tors require annual inspection and care
full oyerhauling. 1t is needless to point
out to telegraphists the necessity of good
earths, for they all know that their circuits
are unavoidable without them; but It is
lamentable to see the condition Of the
earths to the lightning protectors of the
steeples Of some of our cathedrals and
churches. The splendid new spire of
LANDAU cathedral is positively in dan
gerous condition from this cause. Nine
out Of every ten churches are IN the same
condition. Earth wires are plunged into
the interior of cisterns; they are loaded
into stones they are bedded in dry sand.
One was carefully put into a glass bottle
buried in the dry earth; another was coiled
carefully into the interior Of a wooden
pail, in the basement floor of the house it
was meant to protect Every case of the
inefheieney Of lightning protectors that has
been examined has been proved to be due
to gross ignorance of the principles of cleo.
trical science - Teleqrapkic Journal