The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA. July 26.

Yesterday at forty minutes past 7 o'clock in the evening a surprizing phenomenon was seen about two miles and a half south west of this city, about 50 degrees above the horizon ; it took its course near north west, its diameter, at times considerably bigger than that of the sun, especially at one time it opened so as, seeming, it would have separated itself. It appeared like large flaming sheets of fire, inclining together, like that of a new-blown rose ; its sound as it went (which was very swift) was like that of a great fire, urged by a strong wind ; it kept near of one height all the way, till it had crossed the meridian to the north, about 20 degrees, where was a small cloud, which seemed as if it attracted it ; it mounted higher, and just as it seemingly touched the outward edge of the cloud, it broke into thousands of pieces, like that of springing a mine, where the pieces and particles would be in a flame, where, as near as could be guessed, in about 20 seconds of time came the report, which was like bringing of a large cannon, the sound of it believe to last one full minute. It had something exceeding remarkable in its centre, like a bar. of iron, which appeared to be very hot, out of which there came sparks of fire as it went.

If any of our Readers in other Parts of this or the neighbouring Provinces, saw the above described Phenomenon, we shall be obliged to them for their Accounts of the same as it appeared to them ; and particularly what number of Degrees it seemed above the Horizon ; what Points of the Compass it bore from the Observer ; what Course it steered ; and what Distance of Time from the apparent Explosion to the Report.