Singular Inflance of Atmofpheric Refra&ion. 233 
Having indulged my curiofity upon the fhore for near an 
hour, during which the cliffs appeared to be at fome times 
more bright and near, at others more faint and at a greater 
diftance, but never out of fight, I went upon the eaftern cliff 
or hill, which is of a very confiderable height, when a moft 
beautiful feene prefented itfelf to my view; for I could at 
once fee Dengenefs *, Dover cliffs, and the French coatt, 
all along from Calais, Boulogne, &c. to St. Vallery ; and, as 
fome of the fifhermen affirmed, as far to the wefiward even 
as Dieppe. By the telefcope, the French fifhing-boats were 
plainly to “be feen at anchor; and the different colours of 
the land upon the heights, together with the buildings, 
were perfectly difcernible. This curious phenomenon con- 
tinued in the higheft fplendour till paft 8 o’clock, (although 
a black cloud totally obfeured the face of the fun for fome 
time,) when it gradually vanithed. 
Now, Sir, as I was affured, from every inquiry I could pof- 
fibly make, that fo remarkable an inftance of atmofpherical 
refraction. had never been witneffed by the oldeft inhabitant 
of Haftings, nor by any of the numerous vifitors (it hap- 
pened to be the day of the great annual fair, called Rock- 
fair, which always attracts multitudes from the neighbour- 
ing places), I thought an account of it, however trifling, 
would be gratifying to you. 
The day was extremely hot (68° at 10 A.M. 76° at 5 
P.M.). I had no barometer with me, but fuppofe the 
mercury muft have been high, as that and the three pre- _ 
ceding days were remarkably fine and clear. To the beft 
of my recollection it was high water at Haftings about two 
o'clock P.M. Nota breath of wind was ftirring the whole 
* The cape of land called Dengenefs, which extends nearly two miles 
into the fea, and is about fixtcen miles diftant from Haftings, ina right 
line, appeared as if quite clofe to it; as did the fithing-boars and other 
veffels which were failing between the two places: they were likewile 
magrified to a great degree. L. 
of 
