COUNCIL LOR 1873. 
13 
Tlie number of clays on which rain fell was 183, against 
216 of 1872. 
BAEOMETEH. 
The highest barometrical pressure was 30*7 inches in 
February; the lowest 28*30 in January, giving a range of 2*4 
inches ; the pressure of the year 29.79 inches, was about the 
usual mean. 
Thunder and lightning occurred a few times in May and 
Jline. A storm of unusual violence burst over York on Sunday 
September 14, at 3 p. in. The house of Mr. Mills, in Bootham, 
was struck and much damaged. Happily the house was empty 
at the time. A house in Bedern, known as the Old Palace, was 
seriously damaged by the lightning. A house in the Grroves 
was struck; also a fine tree on the New "Walk. The storm 
created a considerable commotion in a crowded congregation 
assembled to hear a sermon by the minister of Salem Chapel in 
Mr. Adams’ Circus. Many years have passed since so severe 
a storm broke upon the city, over which it seemed to be 
concentrated. 
A very brilliant display of Aurora occurred on April 18; a 
slight appearance was seen the following evening. 
In the first four months of the year North Easterly and 
Easterly winds prevailed; in the remaining months South, 
South West, and West. The wind from S. S. W., and W. 
numbered 176 days. 
Transits of the Sun have been observed, and comparison of 
clocks made with sufficient frequency to keep Grreenwich time, 
denoted at the observatory with some regularity. The Curators 
of this department would be glad to see an addition to their 
number, or a substitution of new members, which woidcl secure 
a more frecjiient use of the Transit Instrument and the excellent 
Equatorial. 
