MISS MITCHELL'S COMET. 151 



It is evident that its apparition, even to the telescope, was 

 sudden. Its first apparent motion was inconsiderable, 

 and the region of its discovery had been constantly 

 swept over by the assistant observer at Cambridge, with 

 his excellent comet-seeker, even as late as the previous 

 evening. This idea is strengthened by the subsequent 

 rapid increase of the brilliancy of the comet, and the 

 acceleration of its apparent motion. On the third, its 

 motion and brightness had much increased, and there was 

 noticed a slight increase of light toward its center. On 

 the 4th, all observations were prevented by the weather. 

 On the 5th the evening was delightful. At an early 

 period it was evident that the comet must pass over a 

 fixed star of the fifth magnitude, and preparations were 

 made to note the beginning and the end of the transit ; 

 but the border of the comet proved too uncertain to rely 

 upon. At lOh. 54m., the star appeared to be exactly in 

 the center of the comet ; and during several seconds it 

 was impossible to determine, with a power of 100, in 

 which direction was the greatest extent of nebulosity. It 

 appeared in fact like the nucleus of the comet shining 

 through it with undiminished brilliancy. 



On the 6th the comet was visible to the naked eye, and 

 continued to increase in brightness till obscured by the 

 light of the moon. On the 9th, as seen at Cambridge, it 

 exhibited a faint train, a degree and a half in length, and 

 opposite to the sun. 



This comet was discovered by M. De Yico, at Kome, 

 on the 3d of October ; it was discovered by Mr. Dawes, 



