( 4°7 ) 
On Tuefda) i the fixth of March, ft. vet. in the current 
Year 1716, (the Afternoon having been very ferene and 
calm, and fcmewhat warmer than ordinary J about the 
Time it began to grow dark, that is much about 7 of 
the Clock, not only in London, but in ali Parts of England, 
where the Beginning of this wonderful Sight was feen; 
out of whatfeemed a dusky Cloud, in the N. E- parts 
of the Heaven and fcarce ten Degrees high, the Edges 
whereof were tinged with a reddifli Yellow like as if 
the Moon had been hid behind it, there arofe very long, 
luminous Rays or Streaks perpendicular to the Horizon, 
fome of which feem’d nearly to afcend to the Zenith, 
■prefently after, that redd ifii Cloud was fwiftly propaga- 
ted along the Northern Horizon, into the N. W. and (till 
farther Wefterly ; and immediately fent forth its Rays 
after the fame manner from all Farts, now here, now 
.there, they obferving no Rule or Order in their rifing. 
“Many of thefe Rays teeming to concur near the Zenith, 
formed there a Corona, or Image which drew the Attention 
of all Spectators, who according to their feveral Concep- 
tions made very differing Refemblances thereof ; but by 
which compared together, thofethat (aw it not, may well 
comprehend after what manner it appeared. Some liken- 
ed it to that Reprefentation of Glory wherewith our Paint- 
ers in Churches furround the Holy Name of God. Others 
to thofe radiating Starrs wherewith the Breads of the 
Knights of the mod; Noble Order Of the Garter are ador- 
ned. Many compared it to the Concave of the great Cupo- 
la of St. Paul's Church, diftinguilht with Streaks alc^rna- 
bly Light and obfcure and having in the middle a Space 
lefs bright than the reft, refembling the “ antern. Whilft: 
others, to exprefs as well the Motion as Figure thereof, 
would have i to be like the Flame in an Oven reverbe- 
rated and rouling againft the arched Roof thereof : And 
fome there were that thought it liker to that tremulous 
Lightt 
