on Monday, the llt/i of February 1850. 229 



XIII. From Hampstead, as taken from the Illustrated 

 London News of Feb. 16, 1850. 



"Last evening I saw a most extraordinary meteor, of which 

 I send you a sketch* as it appeared over Hampstead. A 

 straight black cloud extended from south to north, and the 

 stars on either side of this cloud were unusually brilliant. When 

 the phaenomenon alluded to occurred, it issued from about 

 S.W., and appeared to travel slowly in a direction about 

 N.N.E. On its first emerging from its hiding-place it was a 

 clear white light; about midway of its flight it assumed the 

 brilliant yellow of the light produced in the combustion of 

 sodium ; and before it departed its colour was of that peculiar 

 pink colour of potassium when burning. 



Feb 11, 1850. RoBERT LoNGBOTTOM." 



XIV. From Brompton Hospital of Consumption, as ex- 

 tracted from the Illustrated London News of Feb. 16, 1850. 



" The brilliant meteor which passed over the metropolis on 

 Monday night, had a singular effect on the numerous patients 

 in the several wards of this hospital. It appeared to rise im- 

 mediately at the back of the new chapel now erecting in con- 

 nexion with the institution, and rushing over the hospital, 

 diffused a light of the most fearful intensity. To those only 

 slightly acquainted with meteorological phaenomena, the sight 

 was alarming; but to the naturally timid the effect was most 

 distressing. The shock was felt so severely by the matron of 

 the establishment, that a severe (it of illness supervened, from 

 which it is to be regretted that on Thursday she had scarcely 

 recovered." 



XV. Dr. Lee, at Hartwell, says that the meteor was not 

 seen there, biit that its light was, and the report was heard. 

 Mr. Samuel Horton at Hartwell says that he heard that 

 William Miller, a watchman at Dinton, which is situated at 

 about two miles from Hartwell, saw the meteor, and from him 

 he learnt the following particulars: — " That about a quarter 

 to eleven o'clock on Monday evening, February 1 1, he ob- 

 served something like a great mass of fire in the heavens in 

 the west, having a long tail ; and the mass was as large as the 

 full moon, but giving a great deal more light; it passed along 

 the sky from west to east, gradually decreasing in height in 

 its progress. It lasted, he thinks, about two or three minutes 

 before it exploded, and then it had the appearance of a rocket ; 

 when it burst, a report like thunder followed about two or 

 three minutes after the light was gone ; and he says that he 



* The sketch is engraved in the paper. 



