The New Hampshire Gazette

PROVIDENCE, July 4.

LIGHTNING.

Last Saturday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, this town and its vicinity experienced a severe thunder-storm; the clouds were highly charged with the electric fluid, which fell in various directions. A large store at South end, the property of Samuel Nightingale, Esq. and the heirs of the late Col. Joseph Nightingale, was struck--it contained, among other goods, a few tons of hemp, and was almost instantly in a blaze: Great exertions were made to preserve it, but they proved unavailing. A quantity of India goods belonging to Messrs. Gibbs and Channing, of Newport, and some other articles, were fortunately preserved from the flames. The heat was so excessive, that the building could not be approached with fire-hooks, and this circumstance contributed to endanger some adjacent buildings, which were saved by persevering exertion. The house of Mr. Samuel Aborn, jun. on the West side of the river, was also struck, but did not receive any material injury, some hay-stacks were burnt, and several trees injured. The rain fell in torrents, accompanied by high wind and some large hail stones.

A remarkable circumstance took place in the house of Mr. Aborn, above mentioned. A handsome portrait of Franklin (whom Porcupine has indecently styled "old Lightning-Rod") was placed over a chimney-piece. The destructive fluid ran down the frame, and damaged it, but the portrait itself remained untouched and uninjured.