170 Miscellanies. 



" On the 13th of November, at 5 o'clock in the mornhig, there 

 was quite a display of meteors, or shooting stars, as they are some- 

 times improperly called. Happening to be out, at this time, I ob- 

 served an unusual number of these meteors, and was immediately 

 reminded of the celebrated meteoric display a year ago. I continu- 

 ed to gaze some fifteen or twenty minutes, and during that time, saw 

 perhaps thirty or forty of these shooting bodies. The display was 

 small compared with that of last year ; yet it was sufficient to ren- 

 der it an object of interest. The temperature, the stillness of the 

 atmosphere, and the clearness and serenity of the sky, were very simi- 

 lar to the appearance last year. — Bond Co. 111., Dec. 15, 1834. — L." 



2. From Charles B. Goddard, Esq., Zanesville, Ohio. — Ad- 

 dressed to Professor Silliman. 



''Dear Sir, — On the morning of the 13th November last, a fe- 

 male servant in my family witnessed a meteoric appearance, similar 

 to that so generally seen at the same period of 1833. It was not so 

 extensive, nor did it endure so long. She communicated this to my 

 wife on that day, and I questioned her respecting it. I have no rea- 

 son to doubt her veracity. — Zanesville, Aug. 12, 1835." 



3. From Mr. A. K. Wright, Member of the Theological Semi- 

 nary, Andover, Mass. 



" To Professor Olmsted, — Dear Sir, — (Extract.) 



" It may be interesting to you to know, that the meteoric exhi- 

 bition was noticed here this year, as well as in other parts of the 

 country. — Andover, Dec. 10th, 1834." 



4. For the observations made at New Haven, and at West Point, 

 see American Journal of Science for January, 1835. 



Remarks. — 1. My respected friend. Professor Bache, has col- 

 lected and published in the last No. of this Journal, a lorig list of 

 testimonies of those who did not see the foregoing meteoric exhibi- 

 tion, derived from sentinels at military posts in the United States. 

 The preceding statements show that there were many, on both sides 

 of the water, who did see it as well as the New Haven observers. 

 Sailors are better observers of celestial phenomena than soldiers. 

 Stars must fall thick and bright, to surprise the vigilance of a senti- 

 nel in time of peace. 



2. Whereas the American Philosophical Society ordered it to be 

 entered on their records, " that no unusual meteoric display was 

 seen at Philadelphia on the 13th Nov. 1834," it is to be presumed 

 that, with the impartiality expected from learned bodies, they will 

 also record the fact, that such a display ivas seen at various other 

 places, in both hemispheres. 



