XI. 



An account of a singular electrical jpJienomenon, observed during 



a snow storm accompanied with thunder. 



BY JOHN FARRAR, 



PROFESSOR 0¥ MATU. AXD JfAT. PHLL. Ilf THE UNIVERSITY AT CAMBRIDGE. 



N the evening of tlie 17th of January 1817? there was a re- 



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luarkable thunder-shower, which extended through a great part of 

 the United States. It took place about the same time at Bruns- 

 wick, in the District of Maine, at Boston and Williamstown, at 

 Andover, Vermont, at Philadelphia, and at Savannah, Georgia. 

 At Boston and several places in the interior, there was rain and 

 snow ; at other places only snow, and this in great quantity and ac- 



corapanied with almost incessant thunder and lightning. There were 

 other electrical appearances also, that were particularly remarkable. 

 The following is taken from the meteorological register of 

 Professor Cleaveland. 



" In the earlier part of the evening, the wind was blowing 

 from the N. E. and the thermometer descended to i7°,5. But 

 after a short calm, the wind suddenly changed to S. E. attended 

 at first by snow and rain and flashes of lightning. The ther- 

 mometer rose rapidly, while the barometer fell to 28.89. At this 

 time three persons crossing the bridge over the Androscoggin, 

 observed the borders of their hats to be luminous, and when they 

 held up their hands covered with woollen gloves, the ends of 

 their fingers were also luminous. These apoearances were ob^ 



d on the bridge only 



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