350 On the Meteors of \3th November, 1833. 



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ing stars were seen moving from an altitude in the N. E., of about 

 20°, to one in the S. E. of from 45° to 60°; and with flights, from 

 the quarter first mentioned towards that last mentioned, of from 20° to 

 40° in length. Though the directions were uniform, the meteors fin- 

 shed their flight at very different distances from the starting point in the 

 N. E. Many drew trains after them to the termination of their course, 

 where they burst into sparks; and so close was the resemblance to 

 rockets that the sound of the bursting could be almost heard. The 



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The meteors (the larger 



are probably intended) were not more frequent than perhaps two in 

 a minute ; but several small ones might be seen shooting at the same 

 time. They were visible only in the quarter of the heavens from 

 the N. E. to the S. E. The wind all night was N. E., and the ship's 

 course steady — standing for New York. Upon coming on deck, at 

 4 A. M., our informant found by enquiry that the display had lasted 

 through the night. The meteors still continued visible in very small 

 numbers — only a few in an hour — till day. Capt. Briggs has never, 

 at any other time, seen a similar display. 



This twice repeated co-incidence, in the month and day of the 

 month, as it has been remarked already, would make further doubt 

 respecting the celestial origin of the meteors irrational, but for a lim- 

 itation not to be neglected j — namely, the necessity of ascertaining, 

 before we adopt an hypothesis in full, that it will certainly explain all 

 the phenomena. The whole question has, by this time, reduced 

 itself to an astronomical problem, resting upon several conditions. 



•We shall state the conditions, without knowing whether they can 

 be fulfilled or not. This want of knowledge is occasioned by a two- 

 fold cause, and is in part unavoidable and in part voluntary. It is 

 in part unavoidable; for the writer has no time, at present — if 

 he have the ability — to attempt so complicated a problem : it is also 

 in part voluntary; for some of the most important conclusions of 

 this paper rest upon the discussion of probable evidence ; and in such 

 a case it is better that the mind feel its way, without a theoretical 

 guide to tempt it to stray from the path of rigid and impartial investi- 

 gation. It is upon direct evidence that our conclusions have rested 

 whether in the case of facts which are unquestionable, or such as are 

 only highly credible, and we put down the problem and its conditions 

 as we conceive them, without having any concern, at present, about 

 the possibility of a consistent solution. But if a consistent solution 



shall come to light, then indeed the writer will not hesitate to adopt 



