Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-11-15
BRILLIANT PHENOMENON


liant than ourselves, that on Tuesday night one of
the most magnificent specacles seen, that ever
graced our Heavens. Those who witnessed these
beautiful fireworks describe them unparalleled
In the briancy, number and duration of the me-
teors. There can be no dispute about the singular
phenomenon. We have conversed with many per-
sons, who were so fortunate as 10 he awake nj the
time, or who were called up from their beds to wit
ness so unusual and superb q scene. We have seen
one who did not speak of il, but with delight as
constituent, and wonder. "It seemed to me fsavs
one OF these spectators if each star and planet
were shooting madly from its sphere, and careerng
through the Heavens" We understand, that n few
of the shooting stars seen from III till IL
o'clock-but it was about three hours before the
day broke, that the Number exceeded all calculations
and their brillance surpassed all description. Some
compare them to a shower of fire, raining down nj
most to the Earth They were seen i'm all quarters
OF tile skybut they appeared TO abound most i'm the
Northern region. They continued to illuminate the
Heavens and to reflect their strong light upon the
Earth, until the superior light of the day eclipsed
their llIstre.
The temperature of the atmosphere for more than
fortnight has been genial and mild. The weather
has been uncommouly dry for the season as all
our farmers are happy to teslify-for, in muny parts
OF the State, they have scarcely lost day in sowing
their wheat. On Saturday, however, we had light
showers in the course ofth day but night clear
ed up, and Sunday fair and beautiful ,lay On
Monday, we had light shower or two-but ON Tues
day evening, it was clear and warm. We have had
the Indian Summer, indeed, in all its beauty and per-
fecton-and rather freer from its foggy appearance
than is usual at this season of the year. The true
theory of the Indian Summer seems not to have
been altogether developed-and how far the gases
which are supposed TO abound i'm il, are connected
with the meteors of Tuesday night, we do not pro-
TESS to determine Our days generally remark
ably pleasant-and the last three four nights pre-
ceding had been mild, as almost to superscde the
necessity of fires in the bedrooms.
Some ludicrous anecdotes huve been told u.s. about
the terrors which it inspired among the Ignorant
Some of tie slaves were alarmed TO ridiculous de-
gree and ordinations were not uncommon among
them, that the Day of Judgment was at hand, and
the world coming TO its end! We have some curl.
osity to see by the public prints aud private letters
fom the country, whether this phenomenon was a
general one-or whether it confined to the re-
gion of our metropolis and its vicinity.
We have received the following communication
descriptive oft:
To the Editors Of the Richmond Enquirer
Having been eyewitness TO the grand and beautiful
phenomenon Of The last night for The period FIVE or six
hours cannot iorbear an effort 10 give you what
be partial and incompetent description OF the sublime and
imposing scene. About o'clock, the bright CLEAN of an
occasional rocket startled horse, surprised me- with
its white and svery light The beautiful lights then
continually augmented reminding OF the gradual aud
accommodating process OF storm, ill The " hole beav.
ems seemed emitting shower Of bright silvefy fire. No
artificial illumination could then compare with this display
Of the beautiful sublime Byriads of small rockets were
descending in every point OF the compass with lreauent
large and luminous ones, sreakng The armament .ith
white and slowly fading blaze, reminding the wondering
beloler Of the ghnings fash, though transient or
vivid This continued until daylight pre- cluded the
possibility OF tracing IT, ALFRED DUKE.
We also extract the following article from neigh
boring print:
To The Editors Of he Uhig.
gentlemen: You have doubtless heard OF, If indeed YOU
diJ not witness the magnificent Celestial Phenomenon
us morning. had not The good fortune witness this,
NE grandesl spectacle, perhaps, that mortal eye be-
held Among those who did witness it, intelligent
ricnd OF mine, with Is HON hsye conyetsed The sub
Jec; ami as You i'll Of course, fake notice of it,
give you his account OF II An hour before day. he 70
as usual ana went down 10 is TO open IT, aud
Tor The mornings business Before opening tie sore lie
noticed through the glass The dor, unusual light
and What he took TO be sparks or fakes Of e falling on
bnrEing chimney He Immediately opened tie door aud
wen in'o Tie street when Tie hole heavens presented
the most magnificent sight that csn be imagined Thou
sands OF Hose small meteOrs dcnominate shoe ing stars B
Ell hdumnated tho Whole sky. They ndcd from The
zenith towards the earth, aud extended 10 near the bori.
zon in every direction, though The greatest number was
the North. The appearance was nothing like the
northern ghs, with which he is familiar having wit.
messed them in high northern ai.udes Tie vast nun.
Der end constant succession Of these metcors gave them