The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-29
RECENT PHENOMENA.

The dullest observer, says the Springfield Re-
publican, must have noticed that we are expe-
rienciDg a rare and rapid succession of pheno-
mena in the air and the earth-rare, at least,
in this region. The auroral displays have been
unusually frequent and brilliant, and so strong as
seriously to interfere with the electric current in
telegraphing; then came the earthq of Thurs
day, which occurred on the second anniversary of
the great calamity along the coast of Peru aHd is
by some scientists presaged to precede another
similar CONFUSION; and now we seem to have
entered into a storm of meteors. The first we
have heard from was seen aud heard on Satur-
day night at about IL O'Clock; another Is re-
ported at New York as exploding at point Is
degrees northwest of Mezar, in the constella-
tion of the "Great Dipper," and its very brill
liant light casting shadows of buildings and
surrounding objects; the third fell at z o'clock
Sunday morning, and the fourth at quarter past
s the same day.
o 1t is the o'clock meteor, however with which
we are concerned, as 1t was quite as remarkable
as has been seen for generation. 1t was either
seen or felt from middle New Hampshire to
shortly below the Connecticut line, aud from
Pittsield on the west TO Cohasset on the east
Boston don't seem to have known about 1t, and
as full reports about IL reach us from all the
country villages, while not dozen people in this
city and nobody in any other saw 1t. we are con-
strained to believe that early rising is not city
custom. Its appearance and effects are minutely
described by various correspondents. 1t was
apparently as large as tue sun at MS rising, ana
springing from the Dipper, it described an arc
from 75 degrees above the horizon. Its color Is
described as that of iron at white heat, with
vivid vari-colored scintillations, and leaving in
its wake a luminous train about three or four
degrees in width, which remained for some fif-
teen seconds. Its brilliancy was especially
astonishing, as the sun was someways above the
horizon. 1t exploded finally in a sharp detona-
tion, scattering its brilliant fragments in all
directions, each of which also burst in rapid
succession. Its smoke hung like cloud for
several seconds more, emitting flashes of light,
and then gradually faded into air.
The most singular feature of this phenomenon
was its physical effect in producing heavy, dis
tinet rumbling, like a distant rockblast or
echoed cannon shot, which was heard more
plainly in houses than without. This was ac-
windows and doors, awaken sleepers, and alarm
many with the thought of another earthquake.
We have accounts of this great meteor from
Concord, N. H. (where they are sure they have
got it in pond) from Ware Ga very minute aud
careful one), from Amherst, CRANKY, Deer
field, Westfield, PItts6eld, aud Lanesboro
(Which also claim to locate the celestial
seen In Deerheld, and was creditably bright.
singular effect was noted in West Springfield
where O good farmer was, simply as a work of
necessity, turning his cider screw at the time of
the explosion, and saw stars burned in the marsh
before his eyes. Another very splendid and ex-
ceptional atmospheric manifestation was a GRIM
son aurora seen here, at o'clock yesterday
morning, resembling the light from an immense
fire. 1t tarried but brief time, aud then van
ished In glorious streamers towards the zeuith.
This display was also seen In Cleveland and
Cincinnati. Last night there was another brill
liant display in the northern heavens. What
] do all these signs and wonders mean! ..