of November 1836. 8T 



night of Saturday and morning of Sunday last, and is gratified 

 in being able to announce the reappearance of this phenomenon 

 with considerable brilliancy. 



" During the evening, but few meteors were observed, but 

 from eight o'clock until near the dawn, successive flashes were 

 observed in the east, supposed by some to be lightning. At 

 eight o'clock, a very beautiful auroral light was seen of a pinkish 

 colour. This continued for a short time only, although a ge- 

 neral luminous appearance in the north remained during the 

 night. 



" About two o'clock in the morning several meteors were 

 seen to dai*t across the Great Bear, and from this time constant 

 watch was kept up until day-light. From two to three o'clock, 

 ninety-eight meteors were counted, some being very small, but 

 the greater number of great size and brilliancy, resembling a 

 rocket both in the explosion and trail left behind, — the trails 

 lasting in some instances for nearly two minutes. 



" With two or three exceptions, the course of the meteors 

 was divergent from a point in Leo, declination 20°, right ascen- 

 sion 150°, nearly. The place of this point was fully confirmed 

 during the night. 



" From three to four o'clock, 150 meteors were counted, and 

 300 in all were enumerated. After this time we kept no ac- 

 count of the number, though many more appeared. From the 

 situation of the observer, it is probable that more than half 

 escaped notice. Several were seen in the clear light of the 

 dawn ; and Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, all shining with great 

 brilliancy, were alternately outshone by these transient rivals. 

 No doubt now exists in the mind of the writer, as to the dis- 

 tinct and peculiar character of the phenomenon ; for though an 

 attentive observer of such matters, he has never seen any thing 

 bearing the slightest resemblance to this display, except on the 

 night of November 1^13. 1832, when he had the good fortune 

 to observe the same appearance while at sea, off the harbour of 

 Pernambuco, one year before the far-famed shower of 1833. 



*' G. O. S." 



