seen Kovemler 13, 1^03. 9Sl 



combine appearances with sensations which have no other 

 existence than in the imagination. 



The noise that followed after this meteor was particularly 

 noticed by several people, who, although they saw nothing 

 of the appearance, yet were alarmed by the singularity of 

 the noise : some conjectured it to be occasioned by the over- 

 setting of a coach, others by the rattling of a fire-engine, 

 and others by a distant clap of thunder. 



With respect to the height of this meteor, or its dimen- 

 sions, nothing more can at present be inferred than what is 

 derived by comparing the interval of time elapsed between 

 seeing the meteor and hearing the noise which it occasioned 

 in its passage through the upper regions of the atmosphere. 

 Bv that interval of time, its distance from me when first 

 observed would appear to have been about six and twenty 

 miles; and its perpendicular height about three and twenty 

 miles above the earth's surface. 



This method of obtaining its distance, however, must 

 be liable to great uncertainty, and can only be adopted as 

 an approximation, where better means are not to be ob- 

 tained ; for although the velocity of sound is pretty well 

 ascertained at distances near the earth's surface, yet its ve^ 

 locity at the height of twenty-three miles above the earth 

 may be very diflerent from what our calculations give it. The 

 real distance, therefore, can only be obtained, with anyde^ 

 grec of accuracy, by observations made at dilTercnt places 

 at a considerable distance from each other. It is much to. 

 te wisJied that people, who happen to be so situated as to 

 have an opportunity of observing a meteor, would take all 

 possible pains in the first place to obtain its altitude as cor- 

 rectly as they can, which may oftentimes be done with 

 great accuracy ; for although the mind at the moment may 

 be altogether engaged in admirmg the beautiful and curious 

 appearance of such a singular phenomenon, yet I believe 

 it will be geacrallv in our power to remember the precise 

 place where we were when such a circumstance happened : 

 for people in general stand still when any thing chances to 

 strike them with surprise, and before they proceed to re- 

 move from that place take notice of the objects that sur- 

 round them : and hence it very naturally follows, that when 

 we give an account of the appearance of any phenomenon, 

 we are always particular iu our description of the spot frorn 

 whiMice we saw it. If, therefore, at a considerable time 

 after, wc were to go to the place where we saw a meteor, the 

 strong impression left on the imagination of its afipan nt 

 Situation would enabje us to ascertain its altitude without 



