Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-07-28

Mr.. McMURRAN VIII preach III the res
bylerian Church tomorrow, 29lh inst.
at half.pas, ten o'clock.
ASp Our friend J. IL. MEREDIrIt. Of The
firm OF Garfield, Bro. & Co., Baltimore
who is now on business tour TO England
will please accep! our thanks for copy
Of the London Times, per Steamer Africa.
Is METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA
CoAsideI able eXciment was created III our
community on Friday night, 2O'h inst,
by the appearance in the heavens OF pc
culiar and remarkable meteor. As 1t has
given rise to many amusing speculations.
among those unacQuainleG with such CO.
lesIlal phenomena, with regard TO lis
cause aud consequences and will lead to
Increased investigation among asnonO-
mers. It's appearance and action are worth
remarking. The meteor was observed in
al parts Of the country and various de-
scriplions have been given Of it. AS we
did not observe II when II first appeared
we copy the following paragraph from a
communication To the Baltimore Sun, writ
ten at Washington. '.lts first appearance
was in the shape Of ball OF greenish
light, half the diameter Of the moon, a
round which vas large halo gradually
fading from the intense brightness Of The
centre, ill il assumed final blush iinge
towards The margin" lis next appear
4 ,,.ka, nhsprUph n ~
that of a double meteor. 1t had commen-
ced 10 course in the Northeast and had
travelled a little South OF East, moving
with velocity sOmewhat less than rock
eli, and on that account more majestic and
imposing twas now divided INTO two
sections evidently connected with each
other by some substance darker than Ell
lher. The part in front was shaped like
a cone, base foremost, and was surround
ed by halo of a bright blush color.
This was followed at a very short distance
by bright red ball of FIRE, about twice
the size Of star Of the first magnitude,
and continually emitting large sparks.
The whole was fvllowed by trail OF light
similar TO the tail Of comet. Instead OF
starting near the zenith, and shooting TO-
wards the horizon as meteOrs usually do,
lis course was parallel with the earth, at q
distance above it Of about two miles. AL
Ter undergoing several changes and grow
ing gradually smaller, II disappeared be-
hind small cloud, having occupied IN It's
passage little more than half a minute.
The portion of the heavens through which
il took lis course was lighted up and 1t
was certainly the most brilliant meteoro
logical display we have ever witnessed.
In lis appearance, size and movements 1t
slrkingly resembed the great meteor
which appeared on the Ism OF August
1888, as described in CavslIo's Philoso'
ply. And although Cavallo calls tina. one
.'lhe mos, magnificent meteor OF latter
times" we think, Judging from his de-
scriplion of it, that the one which made
lis appearance on last Friday night was
It's superior 10 size and lis equal IN every
other respect.
With regard TO the formation OF these
aerolite. various theories have been sug-
ses,ed and maintained. But the most
popular one suPposes that they are i'rm'
ed by the combination in the atmosphere
OF various gaseous matters united by chem
zeal affinity. Being igniled either from
internal chemical action or by coming into
contac, with some other element IN The
atmosphere they are sent off at an incred-
ible velocity by some internal motive
power undergoing still further change IN
their materials while travelling through The
s,nos phere thew finally explode, throwing
10 the Earth the large stones or mineral
bodies of which they are composed. The
aeroli,es are Of an unusual and peculiar
combination. Many of them have been
collected in this country and are to be
seen in The museums Of the various col
leges. :,
But there is difference, acknowledged
bv modern astronomers between aeInlIles
such as the one that made lis appearance
on Friday night. and these small shooting
stars which may be seen every clear
night. IL am INV illing 10 assent says
Cavallo .'al,hough | have no particular
reason 10 deny, that he large me'eoTs and
those which are commonly called shoot
ing-s,ars have a common origin or are OF
the sane nature and differ only in size.
Now in view of the various theories
promulgated with regard 10 the. formation
of the large meteors or aeroli!es. may We
no, also suppose that these various aero
Ines, differing as they do in appearance
character, and motion have different orr
gins Is j, necessary 10 suppose tina
different meleo.s have common origin
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