92 [October, 1844. 



In a short time, a white cloud was seen to form over the black 

 smoke, which rose over the fire with great rapidity, nearly per- 

 pendicular. The white cloud rolled outwards above, especially 

 towards the North and South, and probably towards the East as 

 the wind was gentle in that direction, and as the rain which fell 

 from it increased as it proceeded East, as far as heard from. It 

 did not swell out far towards the West. In less than an hour 

 from the commencement of the burning, very large drops of rain 

 were seen descending by many inhabitants of Coudersport from 

 the cloud, glittering in the rays of the sun like diamonds. 



It rained but little in Coudersport, which is about one hundred 

 rods west of the fire, and none at all one half mile west of the 

 village. 



This latter fact was remarked particularly by Charles Lyman, 

 who was ten miles west of Coudersport, at the time of the burn- 

 ing, and who found the road very dusty until he came within a 

 few rods of the village, when the first edge of the shower made 

 its appearance. Mr. Lyman lives two miles east of Coudersport, 

 and he found the quantity of rain which had fallen constantly in- 

 creased as he advanced. When he got home he found the ground 

 quite wet; previous to the rain it was quite dry and parched, 

 suffering much for want of rain. 



Samuel Taggart lives six miles east of the fire, and at his 

 place the shower was very violent, and lasted about thirty minu- 

 tes. Some of our citizens watched the whole formation of the 

 cloud and its gradual recession towards the East after the rain, 

 and we have understood from credible authority that it rained 

 hard and much longer many miles to the East the same after- 

 noon. 



We are unanimously of the opinion that the rain was produced 

 by the burning of the fallow, and we think it due to your zeal in 

 the cause of science to make this communication to you. 

 Yours, 



John S. Mann, Att. at Law. 



Charles Lyman, 



W. C. Butterworth, Att. at Law. 



Samuel Taggart, 



John B. Pradt, Epis. Clergyman. 



David T. Hall. 

 To Prof. Espy. Coudersport, Pa., July 27, 1844." 



