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Story
August 4, 1819
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
In 1712, astronomer Mr. Whiston's prediction of a comet signaling the world's fiery end caused mass hysteria in London: boat seizures, stock crashes, rushed marriages, and bank runs amid fears of judgment day.
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Full Text
Ludicrous effect of the appearance of a Comet, in 1713
In the year 1712. Mr. Whiston having calculated the return of a comet, which was to make its appearance on Wednesday, the 14th of October, at 5 minutes after 5 in the morning, gave notice to the public accordingly, with this terrifying addition, that a total dissolution of the world by fire, was to take place on Friday following. The reputation Mr. Whiston had long maintained in England, both as a divine and a philosopher, left little or no doubt with the populace of the truth of his prediction. Several ludicrous events now took place.-A number of persons in and about London, seized all the barges and boats they could lay their hands on in the Thames. very rationally concluding, that when the conflagration took place, there would be the most safety on the water. A gentleman who had neglected family prayer for better than 50 years, informed his wife, that it was his determination to resume that laudable practice the same evening ; but his wife having engaged a ball at her house, persuaded her husband to put it off till they saw whether the comet appeared or not. The South Sea stock immediately fell to 5 per cent. and the India to 1/2; and the captain of a Dutch ship threw all his powder into the river, that the ship might not be endangered.
The next morning, however, the comet appeared, according to the prediction, and before noon the belief was universal, that the day of judgment was at hand. About this time 223 clergymen were ferried over to Lambeth. it was said, to petition that a short prayer might be penned and ordered, there being none in the church service on that occasion. Three maids of honor burnt their collection of novels and plays, and sent to the bookseller's to buy each of them a bible, and Bishop Taylor's Holy Living and Dying. The run upon the Bank was so prodigious, that all hands were employed from morning till night in discounting notes, and handing out specie. On Thursday, considerably more than 7000 kept mistresses were legally married, in the face of several congregations. And, to crown the whole farce, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, at that time head director of the bank, issued orders to all the five offices in. London, requiring them " to keep a good look-out. and have a particular eye on the Bank of England"
London paper
In the year 1712. Mr. Whiston having calculated the return of a comet, which was to make its appearance on Wednesday, the 14th of October, at 5 minutes after 5 in the morning, gave notice to the public accordingly, with this terrifying addition, that a total dissolution of the world by fire, was to take place on Friday following. The reputation Mr. Whiston had long maintained in England, both as a divine and a philosopher, left little or no doubt with the populace of the truth of his prediction. Several ludicrous events now took place.-A number of persons in and about London, seized all the barges and boats they could lay their hands on in the Thames. very rationally concluding, that when the conflagration took place, there would be the most safety on the water. A gentleman who had neglected family prayer for better than 50 years, informed his wife, that it was his determination to resume that laudable practice the same evening ; but his wife having engaged a ball at her house, persuaded her husband to put it off till they saw whether the comet appeared or not. The South Sea stock immediately fell to 5 per cent. and the India to 1/2; and the captain of a Dutch ship threw all his powder into the river, that the ship might not be endangered.
The next morning, however, the comet appeared, according to the prediction, and before noon the belief was universal, that the day of judgment was at hand. About this time 223 clergymen were ferried over to Lambeth. it was said, to petition that a short prayer might be penned and ordered, there being none in the church service on that occasion. Three maids of honor burnt their collection of novels and plays, and sent to the bookseller's to buy each of them a bible, and Bishop Taylor's Holy Living and Dying. The run upon the Bank was so prodigious, that all hands were employed from morning till night in discounting notes, and handing out specie. On Thursday, considerably more than 7000 kept mistresses were legally married, in the face of several congregations. And, to crown the whole farce, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, at that time head director of the bank, issued orders to all the five offices in. London, requiring them " to keep a good look-out. and have a particular eye on the Bank of England"
London paper
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Fate Providence
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Comet Prediction
World End Panic
London Panic
Whiston Prophecy
Stock Crash
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Whiston
Sir Gilbert Heathcote
Where did it happen?
London
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Whiston
Sir Gilbert Heathcote
Location
London
Event Date
1712
Story Details
Mr. Whiston predicted a comet's appearance on October 14, 1712, foretelling the world's end by fire on the following Friday, causing widespread panic in London: people seized boats, stocks fell, marriages surged, and the bank was on alert.