Singular Phenomina [Phenomena]

During the last few weeks various singular appearances have been at different times visible in the heavens. About a fortneight [fortnight] ago, a star belonging to that class of physical phenomena generally known by the name of "falling planets," was seen by many of the inhabitatnes of St. Helier's (Jersey,) and after careering [careening?] through the heavens for some minutes, it was observed to descend rapidly to the earth, bursting into a thousand fragments. It is curious and interesting at all times to watch the phenomena of the celestial sphere, especially from the circumstances that so far as modern science has yet determined, they exercise no inconsiderable effect on the general operations of the terrestrial world. Within the period of eight weeks the savans of Jersey have had their scientific casuistry called into the field to indulge in speculations respecting comets, auroa borealis, shooting stars, and various other appearances of a singular and remarkable nature, and if we may judge from the immediate past, they will require, in order to exercise their ingenuity, to keep awake during the night for a considerable time further. On Saturday evening se'nnight, or rather early on Sunday morning, another phenomenon made its appearance in the sky, if possible more strange than any which have of late preceded it. A globe of fire, apparently of the dimensions of a good-sized balloon, was observed to move about from position to position, making its appearance now in one place, now in another. It might be seen at one moment blazing with all the crimson lustre [luster] of the sun as it sets in an autumnal sky, in another shining with a full, clear, and burnished light, irradiating the whole aerial vault. Some times stationary, it would all of a sudden shift its position,

and locate itself upon a spot at a considerable distance. Here again it would remain for a few minutes, when, as if tired of the quarters it had chosen, migrate without further ceremony to another. Alternately the subject of these appearances, it remained for nearly an hour, when in a second, becoming detached from the spot on which it was fixed, it flew with a tremendous velocity through the sky, and took refuge behind a dark and murky cloud.-[Weekly Dispatch, Sept. 14th.]