Proceedings, 69 



the heaviest and accompanied by an unusual roaring of the 

 wind. April is of note for a remarkable gale, commencing 

 on the 28th from the S.W., and veering in some parts to the 

 S.S.E. on the 29th (with a very low temperature for the time 

 of year and having regard to the direction of the wind), when 

 the gale was of a most tremendous character. It must have 

 raised the foam of the sea so that the salt from the water was 

 carried over land as far as the line of hills by Norwood ; the 

 windows in Eedliill facing the south were encrusted with salt. 

 The young leaves of the trees were blackened and bruised as 

 with sharp frost. The fruit trees in blossom were devastated, 

 and the promise of a fruitful season was at once dissipated. A 

 storm so damaging for foliage and fruit-blossoms has pro- 

 bably not been experienced for very many years. There was 

 a smart gale from the W.S.W. on August 28th, and one 

 on September 2nd ; these were the only summer gales expe- 

 rienced. There was also a heavy gale on October 28th. 



A fine Aurora was observed on November 17th, which 

 lasted many hours, assuming a bright rose tint, like the 

 reflection of a great fire, and flashing up to the zenith late at 

 night and early in the morning. Of late years the Aurora 

 has not been much seen in the neighbourhood of London ; 

 there were frequent disj)lays about twenty to twenty-five 

 years ago. 



Thunder and Lightning. — Eedhill is not much visited by 

 thunderstorms of a severe character, and the past year has 

 not experienced great electric disturbances. Thunder was 

 heard on June 27th, August 12th, and October 1st. 



On Monday, February 13th, there occurred a most beautiful 

 sunrise, surpassing in loveliness anything of the kind I ever 

 saw. To describe it with anything approaching to accuracy 

 would be impossible. It was seen over a large district. A 

 cloud appeared like an island of rosy hue situated in a sea of 

 most beautiful azure ; around this sea clouds represented 

 land swelhng into mountains of varied and beautiful outline, 

 then* peaks terminating in an atmosphere of light yellowish 

 green. What added charm to the whole was the exceeding 

 clearness of the air, and the stillness, freshness, and quiet of 

 the early morning. 



