Gazette Of The United States, & Daily Advertiser

The following singular account of a phenomenon which appeared in the air near the village of Quintana, in the province of Burgos, in Spain, is given in the Paris papers, as an extract from the Journal of Madrid, of the 7th July:-

"At 11 o'clock in the morning of the 11th of June, a stormy cloud was seen at the extremity of the village of Quintana, towards the north, & a very thick fog which seemed to proceed from the adjacent mountains having joined it in a very grotesque column they formed together a very fantastic figure, with arms, feet, and a long tail. The resemblance of a very large serpent, of a sky blue colour, was soon after plainly discerned as proceeding from the junction of the cloud and fog which extended itself so far as to touch the earth.

It emitted from time to time torrents of fire of a dark red colour, and at length separated itself from the cloud in the direction of the village, with frequent eruptions of flames and sparks of fire: The inhabitants were very much terrified, but a violent gale from the north separated it in the southern extremity, while the greater part advanced within 400 paces of the village.

It was seen to tear up in its passage several large stones and trees. In particular a very large oak was first stripped of its leaves and afterwards torn up by the roots. It destroyed all the cherry and apple trees in its way, and burnt up the ground over which it passed for more than sixty paces. This singular phenomenon continued its depredations for about 25 minutes, and then again joined the cloud out of which it came. The damage which it did to the vine yards is very considerable.

This account is given upon the authority of the Curate of the village, and several respectable inhabitants who were eye witnesses of the transaction."