nd the
loadstone, as both attracted particles. And here another curious thing
resulted. Amber will attract particles other than metals. The magnet did
not; and from this imperfect observation and understanding, grew a
belief that electricity, or magnetism would attract all substances, even
human flesh, and many devices were made from magnets, and used as cures
for the gout, and to affect the brain, or to remove pain.

Even as early as 2,500 years before the birth of Christ the Chinese knew
of the properties of the magnet, and also discovered that a bar of the
permanent magnet would arrange itself north and south, like the
mariners' compass. There is no evidence, however, that it was used as a
mariner's compass until centuries afterwards.

But the matter connected with light, as an electrical development, which
interests us, is its manifestations to the ancients in the form of
lightning. The electricity of the earth concentrates itself on the tops
of mountains, or in sharp peaks, and accounts for the magnificent
electrical displays always found in mountainous regions.

Some years ago, a noted scientist, Dr. Siemens, while standing on the
top of the great pyramid of Cheops, in Egypt, during a storm, noted that
an electrical discharge flowed from his hand when extended toward the
heavens. The current manifested itself in such a manner that the hissing
noise was plainly perceptible.

The literature of all ages and of all countries shows that this
manifestation of electrical discharges was noted, and became the subject
of discussions among learned men.

All these displays were regarded as the bolts of an angry God, and
historians give many accounts of instances where, in His anger, He sent
down the lightning to destroy.

Among the Romans Jupiter thus hurled forth his wrath; and among many
ancient people, even down to the time of Charlemagne, any space struck
by lightning was considered sacred, and made consecrated ground.

From this grew the belief that it was sacrilegious to attempt to imitate
the lightning of the sky--that Deity would visit dire punishment on any
man who attempted to produce an electric light. Virgil relates accounts
where certain princes attempted to imitate the lightning, and were
struck by thunderbolts as punishments.

Less than a century ago Benjamin Franklin devised the lightning rod, in
order to prevent lightning from striking objects. The literature of that
day abounds with instances of pro