An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A.

William Whiston

Date:: 1716

Credit: An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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[33 ] near to the Bottom of the Hemifphere,* on which Account I think it was rather like a Hole broke by a Stone in the Middle of a Looking-GIafs, or upon the Ice in a Pond* when the Cracks extend themfelves all round, Ray-like, to the Extremities of the Glafs or Pond. The Meteor flood glowing there a few Minutes, and then gradually difap* pear’d ; and by a little after Seven o’ Clock the Sky recover’d its former Face. Towards Nine the Sky was again on Fire much after the fame manner : only I think there was not fuch a Number of pointed Rays as before, but feveral red Gleams or thin Clouds of Fire one after another, skimm’d nimbly over the Sky. And thus it continued by Fits and Starts till after Eleven o'Clock. Sometimes the Heavens look’d exceeding terrible, and once I obferv’d the whole Hemifphere to be one uninterrupted Blaze of Light. Then it look’d as if a Thoufand Rooms had been on Fire in a continued Circuit about us within a few Miles of us: And the Face of the Heavens was fuch, as we may fuppofe it will be at the Conflagration, when the Elements are juft fet on Fire. Neither Dr. A. nor any of our Naturalifts, can give an Account of this Phenomenon ; nor have they ever read or heard of the like. They want very much to know how far off thefe Things were feen, that fo they may meafure the Height of it: They think it to have been above the Clouds, becaufe fometimes a dark Cloud would intercept fome of the Pillars of Fire. Already ftrange Things are portended : I have met feveral who tell me they faw Swords drawn, and Armies fighting in the Air : But as I was out my felf, and faw almoft the Whole, you may depend upon it there was nothing of this Nature,

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