Effects of lightning

READING.- EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING.— On Tuesday morning last, this town and neighbourhood were visited by a heavy thunderstorm. It passed from the east to the north-west, with violent rain, and loud and repeated peals. About eleven, whilst two teams were at plough in an open field, and on low lands, belonging to Mr. William Dodd, of Checkendon, Oxon, the electric fluid burst on one of the teams, and instantly deprived of life two lads, aged sixteen and eighteen, and the two fore horses; the ploughman of the other team received a violent blow on the head, but did not fall: the distance between the teams was about fifty yards. The bodies of the unfortunate youths were immediately taken to Mr. Dodd's farm; that of the eldest, named Prior, exhibited shocking marks of the power of the.electric fluid; a deep wound on the temple, burnt furrows on the chest, the bottom of the foot torn, and toes mutilated; his dress torn open and laid back, his high shoes forced off and shivered; his face was also covered with blood which had proceeded from the ear. The other, named Goodey, had not received so much injury: the only apparent wounds were on the temple and the foot.