on Monday, the Wth of February, 1850. 223 



appeared, though I listened, and was at the time favoured by 

 perfect stillness around. Although I mention that it was 

 larger than an orange, I do not intend that it was perfectly 

 round, as the edge appeared to be very jagged and irregular. 

 Some friends in the town who had retired to rest were also 

 alarmed by an unusual flood of light, which, at the same time 

 as I have noted, illuminated their bed-chambers." 



IV. From Yeovil, Somersetshire. J. Hannane, Esq., fa- 

 voured me with the following information : — 



" I saw on Monday, the eleventh instant, about half-past ten, 

 a brilliant meteor ; it first appeared of a red colour like Mars, 

 but twice or three times its apparent magnitude; a little to the 

 west of north, at an angle as far as I can judge of about 60 

 degrees, rather more than less, its course was easterly, form- 

 ing a slight curve; the tail and meteor increased in brilliancy 

 until I lost sight of it, owing to some houses intervening ; but 

 the light, after I had lost the view of the meteor itself, increased 

 to that of the moon in a clear night when half-full. 



From a red it assumed a brilliant white light; and I think 

 it was not in one compact light, but rather like several lights 

 together, as I was losing sight of it. The time that I first 

 saw it, for I saw its commencement, until the reflexion of it 

 was gone, may be about seven or eight seconds; the sky was 

 not at all clouded in that direction. The day had been re- 

 markably wet and stormy, but it had cleared about nine 

 o'clock or a little before." 



V. From Uckfield. C. L. Prince, Esq. favoured me with 

 a letter containing the following particulars : — 



" A very large meteor passed over this place on Monday 

 night (11th inst.), and at a very low elevation, so that I can- 

 not give you any idea of its path, further than its direction 

 was from N.W. to S.E., and it at last burst at an apparent 

 distance of four miles, making a rumbling noise like distant 

 thunder, and which was distinctly heard by persons indoors*. 

 The light was most intense, and I could have read a small 

 print very distinctly. It was of bluish colour, and the time of 

 its appearance was about 10^ SO'" to 10^ 40™ p.m. I cannot 

 say exactly. It was seen by many persons in this locality, 

 and some of the country people were much frightened by it. 

 There had been much rain {'51 inch) during the afternoon, and 

 the night was densely overcast and dark." 



VI. From Langport, Somersetshire, and for which I am 

 obliged to Wm. Bond Paul, Esq. 



"1 was fortunate to witness the splendid meteor which 



• This sound must have been a deception. 



