114 " REPORT—1850. 
became illuminated with the most brilliant light. Astonished at the cir- 
cumstance, we all at the same instant looked out of the carriage window, and 
beheld a most brilliant substance descending towards the ground. It ap- 
peared not more than fifty or sixty yards from us. The head of the light 
appeared of the most splendid and brilliant red colour, whilst the tail was of 
a pale bluish tinge. It had very much the appearance of a sky-rocket, though 
much larger and brighter. Just before reaching the earth it seemed to ex- 
plode, though we could hear no noise. This took place about twenty minutes 
or a quarter before eleven o'clock on Monday night. 
“Tf you think this curious appearance, which has shown itself at nearly 
the same time in places so distant from each other, worthy of a place in your 
columns, it is much at your service. 
“1 remain, Sir, your obedient Servant, 
“¢ PeteR C. MaxwELt.” 
No. 14.—The following account is most remarkable with respect to the 
mode of disappearance of the meteor. 
[From the same Journal. ] 
** Mr. Whitmore of Kennington Lane, Lambeth, says, ‘On Monday night, 
at about a quarter or ten minutes to eleven o’cluck, a very beautiful shooting 
meteor of dazzling appearance was visible in the heavens, taking, as it seemed 
to me, a direction bearing west to east. The night in the early part of it had 
been rainy, with a fair amount of wind, from the westward and southward 
(as during the day), but at the time of the above luminous appearance it had 
partially cleared off, and the stars were visible, with only a few light clouds, 
which served materially to heighten the effect when illuminated. The course 
the light described was a fine curve, commencing with a small feathery ap- 
pearance, gradually expanding in width and radiance as it proceeded, and its 
duration was of some seconds. At first it occurred to me it was a trial rocket 
of some description, as it dropped precisely as they do when near exploding, 
but it afterwards lighted up still more brilliantly, and resumed its course with 
increased splendour, leaving in its track a long train of intense light. It ap- 
peared rounded or bulbed at its head or point of combustion, and went off to 
an elongated taper, as some of the comets have been represented. Its alti- 
tude I should judge was not great, as its edges were distinct, and one slight 
wave in its progress was to me very discernible. As it brightened it displayed 
the most lovely colours, which could be distinctly traced to the radial colours 
produced by the sun—at one period green, violet (deep), pale red, &e., and 
their effects through the thin stratum of clouds which were in its path were 
most gorgeous. Before vanishing it appeared to roll over, like to something 
molten, and contracting all its light at once, suddenly disappeared. It was 
perfectly silent, although my expectation was that from its extent and bril- 
liancy a report might possibly be produced.’ ” 
No. 15.—“ The following is from Manchester, which also differs from the 
others in some respects :—In passing along Renshaw Street, Hulme, on Monday 
night, at ten to eleven o'clock, I saw the most singular phenomena that I ever 
heard of, in the form of a meteor. I observed what appeared to be a bright 
star, situate about E. by S., when suddenly it fell straight downwards, leaving 
a stream of fire of the most beautiful colours—crimson, purple and green. The 
light was so great from it, that it cast my shadow along the ground, as clear 
as at noonday. It appeared to burst in the air like a rocket, and made a 
noise like distant thunder, accompanied by a thick cloud all around the light. 
: 
