142 REPORT—1857. 
portion of its brilliancy and became nearly stationary. At first the appear- 
-ance was like a long oblique line of fire, which gradually swelled out towards 
the centre, and curved itself not unlike a huge gilded serpent. Its apparent 
length was between 20 and 25 feet[?]. The phenomenon was visible about 
fifteen minutes—becoming more attenuated, and at length entirely dissipated 
or diffused in the atmosphere.’"—Brighton Examiner. 
“ To the Editor of the Times. 
« Sir,—Having just witnessed a very remarkable meteor, I hasten to send 
you the particulars of it as observed from this place. At nine minutes to 5 
(4°51 P.M., or, perhaps, 4" 51™ 30%) a brilliant ball of white light fell from a 
point in the S.S.W., 3° or 4° south and east of Jupiter. It grew brighter as 
it fell, but did not appear to burst, and vanished about 12° from the horizon ; 
its course was nearly perpendicular, but slightly inclined to the east. It left 
behiad it a brilliant streak of white light, tapering to both ends, about 6° in 
length, which immediately assumed a curved or spiral form, exceedingly like 
a serpent rearing itself up. The middle part of this tapering band of light 
gradually expanded, taking the form of small fleckering clouds (cirro-eumult). 
This became gradually more curved, or rather spiral, and the whole mass 
drifted very slowly towards the south-east, the middle part having apparently 
a more rapid motion than the extremities. It continued distinctly visible for 
upwards of 10 minutes, when some heavy mist clouds drifting up from the 
north-east obscured it. Being near the house, I got out an astronomical 
telescope with a glass of low power, but was unable to decide whether the 
light seen was vapour in the atmosphere (which it much resembled), or dif- 
fused nebulous light. 
“ The sky at the time the meteor appeared was perfectly clear and bright 
with the rays of twilight. Its size was somewhat difficult to estimate, but I 
should guess it at about four times the apparent diameter of Jupiter, which 
was close at hand. 
«“ Whatever wind there was came from E.N.E., but there were no clouds 
in the upper sky to indicate the direction of currents there. Not the slight- 
est sound was perceptible. The point at which it first became visible was, 
as nearly as possible, 20° above the horizon, ascertained by an altitude circle. 
I had not time to get out an azimuth instrument to verify its position in 
azimuth; but the foregoing particulars may be useful for comparison, as it 
has, doubtless, been observed in many places. 
“Tam, Sir, yours faithfully, 
“ River-hill, Sevenoaks, Jan. 8, 5°15 p.m.” “ Joun Rocers.” 
“ To the Editor of the Times. 
«« Srr,—Nearly due south a meteor of a most remarkable and brilliant cha- 
racter was observed this evening. The sky was clear overhead, but not 
bright, and there arose from the horizon, to the height of about 10°, black 
and jagged clouds. A falling star was said to have been first seen, and im- 
mediately afterwards the writer had an uninterrupted view of the meteor, 
which at first seemed to emerge from the dark clouds in a strictly vertical 
direction, and stretched at least to a height of 30° from the horizon. In form 
its first appearance was that of a wand, and it gradually tapered at the ends 
and expanded in the middle, at which time its appearance was most brilliant, 
its edges distinct and smooth ; and it was of such intense whiteness as to seem 
an opake body, though bright as the new moon. As the expansion at the 
centre increased, the ends were bent in contrary directions, and Hogarth’s 
‘line of beauty’ was inscribed in the heavens on a gigantic scale. 
« After a short time the meteor seemed to be broken at regular intervals, 
