A. Yes; if the rod be not big enough to conduct the whole current to the earth, the lightning will fuse the metal, and greatly injure the building.
Q. How stout is it needful for the copper wire to be, that it may conduct the fluid safely to the earth?
A. It should be (at least) one inch in diameter.
Q. Why does lightning sometimes knock down houses and churches?
A. The steeple, or chimney is first struck; the lightning then darts to the iron bars and cramps employed in the building; and (as it darts from bar to bar) shatters to atoms the bricks and stones, which oppose its progress.
Q. Can you tell me how St. Bride’s Church (London) was nearly destroyed by lightning, about 100 years ago?
A. The lightning first struck the metal vane, and ran down the rod; it then darted to the iron cramps, employed to support the building; and (as it flew from bar to bar) smashed the stones of the church, which lay between.
Q. Why did the lightning fly about from place to place, and not pass down in a straight course?
A. Because it always takes in its course the best conductors; and will fly both right and left, in order to reach them.