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Remarks Concerning Stones Said to Have Fallen from the Clouds, Both in These Days, and in Antient Times By: Edward King (1735?-1807) |
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BY
EDWARD KING, ESQ. F. R. S. AND F. A. S.
Res ubi plurimum proficere, et valere possunt, collocari debent.
Cicero de Orat. 37.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY,
PALL MALL.
1796.
[Illustration: F.1. F.3. F.2.]
An Attempt to account for the Production of a Shower of Stones,
that fell in Tuscany, on the 16th of June, 1794; and to shew that
there are Traces of similar Events having taken place, in the
highest Ages of Antiquity. In the course of which Detail is also
inserted, an Account of an extraordinary Hail stone, that fell, with
many others, in Cornwall, on the 20th of October, 1791.
Having received this last winter, from Sir Charles Blagden, some very
curious manuscript accounts, concerning a surprising shower of stones;
which is said, on the testimony of several persons, to have fallen in
Tuscany, on the 16th of June, 1794; and having also perused, with much
attention, a very interesting pamphlet, written in Italian, by Abbate
Ambrose Soldani , Professor of mathematics, in the University of Siena,
containing an extraordinary and full detail of such facts as could be
collected relating to this shower; the whole has appeared to me to
afford such an ample field for philosophical contemplation, and also for
the illustration of antient historic facts; that (leaving the whole to
rest upon such testimony as the learned Professor has already collected
together; and to be supported by such further corroboration, as I am
informed is likely soon to arrive in England,) I cannot but think it
doing some service to the cause of literature, and science, to give to
the world, in the earliest instance, a short abridgement of the
substance of the whole of the information; expressed in the most concise
and plainest language, in which it is possible for me to convey a full
and exact idea of the phænomenon. It may be of some use, and afford satisfaction to several curious
persons, to find the whole here compressed in so small a compass. And, as I shall add my own conclusions without reserve; because the
whole of the phænomenon tends greatly to confirm some ideas which I had
previously been led to form, many years ago, concerning the
consolidation of certain species of stone; it may open a door for
further curious investigation. And it may at least amuse, if not instruct; whilst I add a short detail
of uncommon facts, recorded in antient history, and tending to shew
clearly, that we are not without precedents of similar events having
happened, in the early ages of antiquity. On the 16th of June, 1794, a tremendous cloud was seen in Tuscany, near
Siena, and Radacofani; coming from the north, about seven o'clock in the
evening; sending forth sparks, like rockets; throwing out smoke like a
furnace; rendering violent explosions, and blasts, more like those of
cannon, and of numerous muskets, than like thunder; and casting down to
the ground hot stones: whilst the lightning that issued from the cloud
was remarkably red; and moved with less velocity than usual. The cloud appeared of different shapes; to persons in different
situations; and remained suspended a long time: but every where was
plainly seen to be burning, and smoking like a furnace. And its original height, from a variety of circumstances put together,
seems to have been much above the common region of the clouds. The testimony, concerning the falling of the stones from it, appears to
be almost unquestionable: and is, evidently, from different persons,
who had no communication with each other. For first; the fall of four stones is precisely ascertained: one of
which was of an irregular figure, with a point like that of a
diamond; weighed five pounds and an half; and had a vitriolic
smell. And another weighed three pounds and an half; was black on the
outside, as if from smoke; and, internally, seemed composed of matter
of the colour of ashes; in which were perceived small spots of metals,
of gold and silver... Continue reading book >>
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