365 



i% (Swat TOtejjiw jJtorm 



Of December 30th, 1859. 

 By the Rev. Alfked Chables Smith, M.A. 

 ^INCE remarkable atmospheric and meteorological pheno- 

 mena, which have been observed in Wiltshire, do undoubt- 

 edly belong to its Natural History, I shall offer no apology to the 

 members of our Society for bringing before them a detailed account 

 of the terrific hurricane, (of unprecedented violence in this country, 

 as I believe,) which swept over a long but narrow district in 

 the Northern division of the county on December 30th, 1859. 

 This has been deemed of sufficient importance and interest, not 

 only to attract hundreds of the curious from various distant parts 

 to see the scene, but to call forth the attention of Mr. Gh A. Rowell 1 

 the scientific assistant keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, at Oxford, 

 who has for many years given his attention to such subjects, and 

 who has carefully investigated the phenomena of our hurricane, to 

 ascertain their bearings on the theory of storms, and with a view 

 (as I understand) of bringing the subject under the consideration 

 of the Meteorological department of the Board of Works. 



But I would crave the indulgence of my readers for the imper- 

 fect manner in which I have explained some of the details, arising 

 from an insufficient acquaintance with the science of meteorology. 

 At tho same time, as I am well aware that in giving a full aocount 

 of this most extraordinary tornado, I shall have to state facts which 

 will appear to the uninitiated to border on the marvellous, and to 

 relate occurrences, which at first sight seem almost impossible (but 

 which, as I know them to bo true, I shall not on that account flinch 

 from detailing) I would disarm tho incredulity of tho sceptical, by 



1 1 would beg hero at the outset to express my warmest thanks and obligations 

 to Mr. Rowell, not only for tho kindnoss and courtesy with which he has replied 

 to my numerous questions, but for very much usoful information, and many valu- 

 able hints, of which I have availed myself largely throughout this paper passim. 



