Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 054.pdf/260

 sent me the following questions, which he thinks tend to throw further light upon this subject, and has desired my opinion upon them. As these may possibly hereafter be of public utility, I have taken the liberty of communicating them to your Lordship.

I. What sort of apparatus is used at Philadelphia?

II. Whether there is not some improvement to be made to their methods?

III. In what manner this apparatus may be adapted to powder magazines?

IV. Into what place the thunder may be conducted, where there is no river near, to answer the purpose of the sea about ships?

V. Whether the apparatus might not electrify the air, so as to occasion lightning, which was, he believes, the cause of the death of Professor Richmann of Petersburg? This apparatus may not be dangerous to dwelling houses, where the fire may slip without any manner of risk; but may be attended with the most dreadful consequences to a powder magazine, where the smallest spark may occasion the explosion of the whole.

VI. Whether the square, or the circular form of building, will be easiest adapted to the apparatus?

VII. Whether an iron bar fixed on the top of the building, to support a weather-cock, may not attract the thunder bolt, and be consequently dangerous to all buildings; but more especially to powder magazines?

VIII. Whether there is not some particular manner of buildings, invented of late, adapted to powder magazines; either to diminish the shock of the explosion, or to secure them against any accident, by the method used at Philadelphia? Rh