, .. I.UWmOUS METEOR. .. ^^ 28| 



ta the fi gilt, yet of no lefs. importance than our own gnnd 

 luminary. But ours is ftiil fupplied abundantly with relplen- 

 dent particles, while Sobiefki's variable (lar has them moft 

 fparingly diCperfed over its fphere: a fcantinels that apparently 

 niuft occalion to its furrounding planets, conftant viciiruiides 

 of uncertain darknefs, and repletion of light and heat. How- 

 far more enviable feems our liluation; I mean that which 

 we enjoy at prefent; there being (Irong reafons to believe, 

 that the fun's luminous appearance has been at times confi- 

 ^Wably dirainlftied ; and I have little hefitalion in conceiving 



•'M it may alfo be reduced at fome future period to fma II though it may 

 patches, and then the apparent irregularities of its Periodical .^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ 

 rotations, which at prefent are only perceived by the obfer- 

 vations of trifling dark fpots, would become evidently confpi- 

 cuous, particularly when feen at a diftance as remote as the 

 variable ftars are from us. But fuch conjedural flights of 

 fancy cannot too loon be dropt. I therefore (hall conclude 

 with obferving, that thefe inquiries on the alterations of light 

 of the ftars have been fo little difculTed, that it is to be hoped 

 they will not be dilcontinued ; and although I have already 

 troubled the Society with many papers concerning fuch 

 changes, I neverthelefs propofe, ere long, having tl>e honour 

 of prefenting them with one more, moll probably vay lad, on 

 this fubjed. 



EDW. PIGOTT. 



VIII. 



Account of a Luminous Meteor, Bj/ a Constant Reader, 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 SIR, 



JulAVING found it frequently flated, that it might be ufeful, Defcription of 

 ihould every one who has a fair opportunity of noting; with ^^^^ appearance, 

 reaionable accuracy, the courle and altitude of meteors, def-rationof a lumi- 

 cribe their appearances as well as they are able ; I fend you ^o^s meceor, 

 the following account to make what ufe of you pleafe. 



Laft night (Sunday the 21ft) pafling along the Stratid, I 



ftopped at the door of the Crown and Anchor, the vacant 



fpace before it lately caufed by the pulling dowa of houfes 



■wj-:'> i' Offering 



