Mttsorology. 1 91 



Extract of a Let kr from M. Ganwln. 



Moscow, October 5. 

 My thirty-fifth ascent took place tlie day before yesterday 

 daring calm weather^ the wind being at north-west. I 

 ascended at five o'clock with my countryman, M. Aubcrt, 

 who suffered considerably in his ears by the rarefaction of 

 the air. I saw for the first time an image of my balloon 

 formed in the clouds in very bright prismatic colours. We 

 descended at six o'clock at the country scat of prince Via- 

 semsky. Next morning I made another ascent at eight 

 o'clock. I passed throuoh ditl'erent regions of the air, and 

 rose to the height of more than 4000 toiscs, without expe- 

 riencing any other inconvenience than a cold of 4° Rcau- 

 nmr (41** f'ahr.). I galvanised myself, and observed flashes 

 of light. I discharged a musket twice: the report appeared 

 to be fainter than at ilie earth. I should have continued 

 my voyage and observations, had it not been for the folly 

 of a hunter, who fired liis piece loaded with shot at my bal- 

 loon at the monicnt when I was hovering over a wood. I 

 was therefore obliged to descend, and at the same time to 

 be on my guard against the peasants, who, seeing mc de- 

 scend from the clouds, frequently crossed themselves with 

 profound inclinations, and approached me and my balloon 

 slowly. A note written in the Russian language, which I 

 tlirew down, enabled them to form some idea of the pro- 

 dig}'. Count Solticoff advised me to this measure j which 

 fuccceded. 



WETEOnOLOGY. 



An uncommonly luniinous meteor was seen on Sunday, 

 the I3th of November, about forty minutes past cio-ht 

 o'clock at night, 'i'o some it appeared of an oval form, 

 and as followed by sparks which gave it somewhat the ap- 

 pearance of liaving a tail. To others it seemed a wavy line 

 of light, which burst and divided itself into several small 

 baiU of fire before it disappeared. It emitted a very vivid 

 light, by which the most minute objects could be distin- 

 guished, and moved with great velocity in a north-westerly 

 direction. It was seen not only all round tlic metropolis, 

 but, by the accounts that have reached us, over the greater 

 part of England, and nearly at the same instant of time; 

 which proves that its luighl was considerable. It was suc- 

 ceeded, after an iiUerv al of a lew seconds^, by a peal (jf di- 

 stant thunder. 



Gj;OGR\l>HV. 



