174 ACCOUNT or a METEOR. 
the two poles. I have amufed myfelf with fuppofing that 
magnetifm is only a fpecies of electricity, whofe matter is 
as yet not difcovered by human fight; as that of eletrici- 
ty was, when a few years ago, it was perceivable only by 
its effects in attracting or repelling light bodies, as mag- 
netifm now is in attracting or repelling iron. Experi- 
ments by which polarity may be given to needles by means 
of electricity, perhaps, further improved and clofely at- 
tended to, might throw great light on this fubje&. 1 with 
we had more cafes ftated of the effects of lightening and 
the Aurora Borealis on the needle. But mentioning the 
Aurora Borealis recalls to my mind, the meteor which was 
feen at many diftant places in Virginia on the 31ft of Oc- 
tober, at about 6° 1o™ P. M. It was what is vulgarly 
called a falling ftar. It fell as feen at Rofewell about 
three or four degrees to the north of weft and left a bright 
trail of light behind it; which extended from the horizon 
perpendicularly above 7°; unluckily [loft a view of it when 
falling, but was called out time enough to fee the grand 
and beautiful appearance of its trail of light. It was. feen 
for near 15™, it was as bright as fhining filver, and as broad. 
as the enlightened part of the new moon, when firft vifi- 
ble, and about 7° in length. It might be pas bee by 
N° 1, when I firft faw it, and by the 
other figures at intervalsof aboutami- Ir 2 3 4 § 
nute after. Juft before it difappeared 
it refembled the edge of acloud. The 3 
fky was remarkably clear and ferene. g 
It appeared in the fame manner exa&t- | 
ly to feveral gentlemen above an hun- f 3 
dred miles from Rofewell, but on a dif- 
ferent point of the compafs. I have not yet had fo accu- 
rate an account of its bearing as to afcertain its height and 
diftance. Did you fee any thing of it? 
I am, dear fir, yours moft fincerely, 
JOHN PAGE. 
