METEORIC RIVERS OR WATERFALLS. 397 



den and of as short continuance as the sound caused by the 

 firing of a cannon, or by the snapping of a whip. The 

 rain descended at times in very large drops, and at times in 

 streams and sheets. During the storm, four or five inter- 

 missions, each of about eight or ten minutes, occurred also 

 in the rain. In each instance, it excited a hope that the 

 storm was over; but this hope was soon dissipated by the 

 appearance of fresh torrents. The extreme violence of the 

 rain terminated before half past six o'clock, though it con- 

 tinued to descend quite briskly until nine; and moderately 

 until ten. It did not entirely cease until eleven. It is diffi- 

 cult to ascertain, with exactness, the quantity which fell 

 during the storm. It seems probable, from facts mentioned 

 hereafter, that it exceeded fifteen inches on a level. Some 

 remarkable phenomena occurred in various places. At the 

 Point, just before the clouds met, two sloops were observed, 

 sailing before the wind, under a full press of sail, one sail- 

 ing rapidly up the stream, the other more rapidly down. 

 They met near the north end of the island, when the north 

 east wind prevailed. 



About the same time, the sloop Admiral started from the 

 lower wharf for New York. At the moment of starting, 

 two persons received slight electrical shocks from one of the 

 three streaks of lightning mentioned above. Several panes 

 of glass were broken in a store situated a few feet distant. 

 One of these persons immediately after the shock, noticed 

 strong luminous flashes or sparks on one of his arms, and 

 felt a jar throughout his frame, and a sensation similar to 

 that which is experienced when a hand or foot is asleep: 

 the other felt a jar similar to that occasioned by a blow on 

 the breast. No other injury was done to the store and none 

 to the vessel. When the sloop had proceeded about three 

 fourths of a mile, the air had become so obscure that those 

 on board were unable to discern any object a few yards 

 distant. At this time, another flash of lightning was dis- 



