[ 109 ) 
mena are common enough here, they gave little atten- 
tion to the information. However, being upon the ter- 
race, about 8 h 45' P. M. I difcovered (See Tab. V. *) 
a broad luminous arch, in the northern part of the he- 
mifphere, extending from E. to W. almoft terminated 
by the horizon, and fomewhat lefs than a femicircle. 
The upper or exterior limb of this arch, together with 
a certain portion of the lucid adjoining tra£t, was white 
and refplendent; but the brightnefs gradually de- 
creafed as it approached the lower or interior limb, 
which was fo fufcous and obfcure, that it feemed 
fcarce diftinguifhable from the clouds that were con- 
tiguous to it. For about five minutes, the luftre re- 
mained pretty ftrong and vivid, and the meteor with- 
out any vifible change or variation ; but, after the 
expiration of that fhort term, the arch begaJn to grow 
faint, and in one or two minutes more, as near as I can 
guefs, totally difappeared. 
How long this meteor had been formed, when 
I firft obferved it, I cannot take upon me to fay ; but 
I believe it was then, and perhaps for fome time had 
been, upon the decline. It was feen by the Reverend 
Mr. Selftone and the Reverend Mr. Beft, chaplains of 
Chrift-Church, as well as by other members of the 
Univerftty, not without fome degree of wonder and 
furprize. The crepufculum, or illuftration of the 
atmofphere, which fometimes precedes fuch meteors 
as that defcribed here, and even continues long after 
their extin&ion, might perhaps have remained till 
ten or eleven o’clock ; which if we admit, this 
crepufculum may not improbably be confidered 
as the fame phenomenon with “ the furprizing 
<< bright * luminous appearance vifible at London in 
* Lloyd’s Evening Poji , &c. No. 1289. p. 365. 
the 
