Meleors.— Patents. 399 
METEORS. 
On the 16th of March, about five minutes after ten o’clock 
P.M. a meteor of a most extraordinary size and brilliancy passed 
over the city of Richmend (Virginia), in a direction from the 
north-east to south-west. It is represented by persons who saw 
it, as nearly the size of a barrel ; that sparks were emitted from 
it in every direction ; and that.it left behind it a trail of light of 
great length ; and it was thought by some that they heard a 
hissing noise as it passed over them. By persons who saw it, it is 
described as emitting a silver light, more bright, if possible, than 
the ‘sun. It exploded with a loud noise, leaving behind it a 
wide stream of fire, which was visible for some minutes. 
A letter from Rodez, in Aveynon, says, ‘‘ That on the 9th of 
April, about nine o’clock in the evening, a grand and beautiful 
meteor was observed in that town. It appeared in the form of 
a pillar of fire, sending forth a dazzling light like that of the 
sun. From this’ luminous body there issued, as from artificial 
fire-works, an infinite number of sparks of fire. After some se- 
conds the meteor disappeared, and at the sane moment a loud 
explosion was heard.” 
LIST OF PATENTS FOR NEW INVENTIONS. 
To Pierre Erard, of Great Marlborough-street, musical-in- 
strument maker, who, in consequence of communications made 
to him by a certain foreigner residing abroad and discoveries by 
himself, is in possession of an invention of certain improve- 
ments on harps.—Dated 24th April 1822.—6 months allowed 
to enrol specification. 
To Edward Dodd, of St. Martin’s lane, Middlesex, musical- 
instrument maker, for certain improvements in pedal harps.— 
24th April.—6 months. 
To James Delvean, of Wardour-street, Middlesex, musical-in- 
strument maker, for certain improvements on harps.—24th April. 
—2 months. . 
To Robert Ford, of Abingdon-row, Middlesex, chemist, for his 
discovered liquid or solution of annotto.—24th April.—2 months. 
To Robert Knight, of Foster-lane, Cheapside, London, iron- 
monger ; and Rupert Kirk, of Osborne-place, Whitechapel, Mid- 
dlesex, dyer, for their process for the more rapid crystallization 
and for the evaporation of fluids at comparative low tempera- 
tures. —9th May.—2 months. 
METEORO- 
