The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-09-20

The accidents from lightning report
ed this summer have been very numer-
GUS. Many lives have been lost by
them, both in England and in this
country. A fear OF lightning is often
ridiculed, but these fatalities indicate
too general neglect Of proper precau-
tons in thunder storms. Its desirable
that people should be sufficiently APP
prehcnsiye of danger to adopt such safe
guards as science recommends, especi-
ally where failure to do 80 may be fol-
lowed by such terrible results.
1t will be noticed that lightning does
comparatively little damage in the heart
OF large cities. The innumeraDle me-
tallic conductors to the earth which
modern architecture supplies probably
carry of in silence many discharges of
electricity which would otherwise be ex-
plosive. Then the highest points, such
as church spires, are usually furnished
with efficient lightning-rods. Country
dwellings, however, and prominent un-
protected buildings on the outskirts Of
cities are liable to be struck, and
1t is these and country churches
which have suffered most during
the present summer. II is altogether
probable that complete protection is
afforded by lightning-rods, when they
are of the right size and material, and
suitably distributed and attached. Such,
at least, is the opinion Of the great ma
jority Of competent physicists in all
countries. Its correctness has been
strongly confirmed by the experience Of
the inhabitants Of the British colony Of
Natal. In that part of South Africa, at
certain seasons, thunder-storms are Of
constant occurrence. Sometimes there
will be four or tive in a day, each sepa-
rate and distinct from the others, and
frequently they are Of great violence
The destruction of life and property
effected by the lightning early demanded
some preventive action; and this was
taken by providing the houses Of the
colonists with metallic conductors of
the most approved pattern. Since this
was done accidents from lightning,
which formerly often occurred there,
are stated TO have been unknown in the
capital.
1t seems plain enough, then, that
country houses and barns should be pro-
tected by lightning rods, which, indeed,
ought to be considered indispensable in
districts visited BY thunder storms. The
need is even more obvious in the case Of
country churches, which are usually the
I! Hottest buildings of the neighborhood
\ II would be difficult to find a more dam
gerous situation indoors during thun-
der shower than lofty-steepled village
church without any lightning-rod. This
view has been verified by sad and fatal
experience in several instances within
the last few weeks. Some churches,
however, are in worse condition than
4 II they had no lightning-rod at all. We
have known of several in New England
on which the rods had accidentally be-
come disconnected from the earth by q
break at considerable distance above
the ground, and were carelessly allowed
to remain so for weeks at time.
A foolish and dangerous habit which
\ some persons indulge in we are sorry
70 say some of them are young girls lis
that Of sitting by an open window during
the prevalence Of q heavy thunder show
er. Displays Of lightning are doubtless
attractive, but they are not worth risk
ing ones life for; besides, they are best
seen at distance, and when thunder
bolts are crashing all around the neigh
boring fields and hedges, il Il wiser to
withdraw from the window or close IT,
The practice we speak Of is by no means
prudent, even in a properly protected
house,; while in any other ii involves
very great risk. And even in ciiie:
there have been several instances with
- IL l.~s -. - AnAfh Ax- linhe
ming while sitting at open windows.
Neither Is II wise to take refuge I'm
der . tree during thunder-shower
There is no objection to remaining in
q woodland, indeed, it Is much safel
there than on an open plain--il
care is taken to avoid being near thu
. taller trees. Sometimes, however, thu
, traveller must choose between remaining
on the open plain or seeking shelter un
der single tree. Under these circum
. stances the best authorities seem agrees
/ that the safest situation Is spot Is IA
from the trunk as the tree Is high.
! While IL is true that the comparative
mortality caused by lightning is YER,
: small, we are confident Il could ID
largely reduced by the exercise Of sccl
, precautions as we have Indicated. II
} regard TO lightning;rods, we know tina
views differ greatly as TO the best mate
/ rial and form; but perhaps the safes
course in this respect, for persons with
: out scientific training, would be TO adop
3 the sort used by the nearest college o
other prominent institution Of learning
In so doing. they would be almost Ger
tain to secure good system Of protec
ton, II not the best.--NcU York Sun
Gambling In England, whose evil
! were staid for time BY the prompt &C
I ton taken by the Government in clos
!. - f~.,,l- <..rJsa 4. ~ s;x.sslor x.1nnao y.