of Mr. Prince's. Having fallen in a ploughed which seems to have been peculiar.Mr.** field, without coming into contact with a Elihu Staples, a man of integrity, lives on rock, it was broken only into two principal the hill at the bottom of which this body fell, pieces, one of which; possessing all the cha- and witnessed the arst appearance, progress, After the last racters of the stone in a remarkable dogree, and explosion of the meteor. we purchased; for it had now become an ar- explosion, a reuding noise like that of a ticle of sale. It was urged that it had pleased whirlwind passed along to the east of his heaven to rain down this treasure upon them, house and immediately over his orchard, and they would bring their thunderbolts to which is on the declivity of the hill. At the the best market they could. This was, it same instant a streak of light passed over the must be confessed, a wiser mode of managing orchard in a large curve, and seemed to pierce the business than that which had been adopt the ground. A shock was felt, and a report ed by some others at an earlier period of these heard like that of a heavy body faking to the discoveries. Strongly impressed with the idea | earth; but no conception being entertained that these stones contained gold and silver, of the real cause, (for no one in this vicinity, they subjected them to all the tortures of an- with whom we conversed, appeared to have cient alchemy, and the goldsmith's crucible, ever heard of the fall of stones from the skies), the forge, and the blacksmith's anvil, were it was supposed that lightning had struck the employed in vain to elicit riches which existed ground. Three or four hours after the event only in the imagination. Mr. Seeley went into his field to look after his cattle.-He found that some of them had leaped into the adjoining enclosure, and all exhibited strong indications of terror. Passing on, he was struck with surprise at seeing a spot of ground which he knew to have been recently turfed over, all torn' up, and the earth looking fresh, as if from recent violence. Two miles south-east from Mr. Prince's, at the foot of Tashowa lilf, a fifth mass fell. Its fall was distinctly heard by Mr. Ephraim | Porter and his family, who live within 40 rods of the place, and in full view. They saw a smoke rise from the spot, as they did also from the hill, where they are positive that another stone struck, as they heard it distinctly. At the time of the fall, having never heard of any such thing, they supposed that lightning hal struck the ground; but after three or four days, hearing of the stones which had been found in their vicinity, they were induced to search, and the result was the discovery of a mass of stone in the road, ar the place where they supposed the lightning | had struck. It penetrated the ground to the depth of two feet in the deepest place; the hole was about twenty inches in diameter, and its margin was coloured blus from the powder of the stone struck off in its fall. It was broken into fragments of moderate size, and from the best calculations might have weighed 20 or 25 pounds. The hole exhibited marks of much violence, the turf being very much torn, and thrown about to some distance. It is probable that the four stones last described were all projected at the second explosion, and should one be discovered on the neighbouring hill, we must without doubt refer it to the same avulsion. 3. Last of all, we hasten to what appears to have been the catastrophe of this wonderful phenomenon, A mass of stone, far exceeding the united weight of all which we have hitherto described, fell in a field belonging to Mr. Elijah Seely, and within 30 rods of his house. A circumstance attended the fall of this Which has since been found, weighing thirty-six pounds and a quarter. I have seen and weighed it myself. G. Burr. | Coming to the place, he found a great mass of fragments of a strange-looking stone, and immediately called for his wife, who was second on the ground. Here were exhibited the most striking proofs of violent collision. A ridge of micaceous/ schistus lying nearly even with the ground, ~ and somewhat inclining like the hill to the south-east, was shivered to pieces, to a cer tain extent, by the impulses of the stone, which thus received a still more oblique direc tion, and forced itself into the earth to the depth of three feet, tearing a hole of five feet? in length and four feet and a half in breadth, and throwing large masses of turf and frag ments of stone and earth to the distance of 50 and 100 feet. Had there been no meteor, no explosions, and no witnesses of the light and shock, it would have been itnpossible for any person contemplating the scene to doubt that a large and heavy body had really fallen from the skies with tremendous momentum. This stone was all in fragments, none of which excceded the size of a mau's fist, and was rapidly dispersed by numerous visitors who carried it away at pleasure. Indeed we found it very difficult to obtain a sutăcient supply of specimens of the various stones, an object which was at length accomplished prin cipally be importunity and purchase. From the best information which we could obtain of the quantity of fragments of this last stone, compared with its specific gravity, we.concluded that its weight could not have fallen much short of 200 pounds. All the stones, when first found, were friable, being easily. broken between the fingers; this was espe cially the case where they had been buried ir, the moist earth, but by exposure to the air they gradually hardened. Such were the circumstances attending the fall of these singular masses. We have named living witnesses; the list of these may be augmented, but we consider the proof as sufficient to satisfy any rational mind. Further confirmation will be derived from the mineralogical description and chemical examination of these stones. The specimens obtained from all the different places are perfectly similar. The most careless observer would instantly pronounce then portions of a common mass, and different from any of the stones commonly seen on this globe. à rough and irregular fracture with the ham mer. On inspecting the mass, four distinct kinds of matter may be perceived by the eye. 1. The stone is thickly interspersed with black globular masses, most of them spherical, some are oblong and irregular. The largest are of the size of a pigeon-shot, but general, ly they are much smaller. They can be detached with any pointed iron instrument, and leave a concavity in the stone. They are not attractable by the magnet, and can be broken' with the hammer. 2. Masses of yellow pyrites may be observed Some of them are of a brilliant golden colour, and are readily distinguished by the eye. 3. The whole stone is thickly interspersed with metallic points, many of them evident to the eye, and they appear numerous and distinct with a lens. Their colour is whitish, and was mistaken by the discoverers of the stone for silver. They appear to be chiefly malleable iron alloyed with nickel. Of their form nothing very certain can be said, because only comparatively small fragments of the great body of the meteor have been obtained. Few of the specimens weigh one pound-most of them less than half a pound, and from that to the fraction of an ounce. Mr. Bronson's piece is the largest with which we are acquainted; we possess the next, which weighs six pounds, and is 4. The lead-coloured mass which cements, very perfect in its characteristic marks, and these things together, has been described alwe have a good collection of smaller speci- ready, and constitutes by far the greater part mens, many of which are very instructive.of the stone. After being wetted and exposed They possess every irregular variety of form to the air, the stone becomes covered with nu- › which might be supposed to arise from acci- merous reddish spots, which do not in appear dental fracture with violent force. On many a fresh fracture, and arise manifestly from the of them, however, and chiefly on the large rusting of the iron. specimens, may be distinctly perceived por tion's of the external part of the meteor. Finally, the stone has been analysed in the laboratory of this College according to the excellent instructions of Howard, Vauquelin, and Fourcroy. The analysis was hasty, and it ended only for the purpose of general infor mation. The exact proportions, and the steps" of the analysis, are reserved for more leisure, and may be given to the philosophical world hereafter. It is sufficient at present to observe that the stone appears to consist of the following ingredients:-silex, iron, magne sia, nickel, sulphur. It is everywhere covered with a thin black crust, destitute of splendour, and bounded by portions of the large irregular curve which seems to have inclosed the meteoric inass. This curve is far from being uniform. It is sometimes depressed with concavities such as might be produced by pressing a soft and yielding substance. The surface of the crust feels harsh like the prepared fish-skin or shagreen. It gives sparks with steel. There are certain portions of the stones covered with the black The two first constitute by far the greater crust, which appear not to have formed a part part of the stone-the third is in considerable of the outside of the meteor, but to have re-proportion, but much less than the othersceived this coating in the interior parts, in the fourth is probably still less; and the sulconsequence of fissures or cracks, produced phur exists in a small but indeterminate quanprobably by the intense heat to which the bo-tity. dy seems to have been subjected. The speci Most of the iron is in a perfectly metallic, fic gravity of the stone is 3.6, water being state, the whole stone attracts the magnet,. The colour of the mass of the stone is princi-and this instrument takes up a large propor pally a dark ash, or more properly a leaden co- tion of it when pulverized. Portions of melour. It is interspersed with distinct masses,tallic iron may be separated, so large that they from the size of a pin's head to the diameter can be readily extended under the hammer, of one or two inches, which are almost white, Some of the iron is in combination with sulresembling in many instances the crystals of phur in the pyrites, and probably most of the feldtspar in some varieties of granite, and in iron is alloyed by nickel. that species of porphyry known by the name of verd antique It remains to be observed that this account of the appearances of the stone accords very The texture of the stone is granular and exactly with the descriptions, now become coarse, resembling some pieces of grit-stone.considerably numerous, of similar bodies It cannot be broken by the fingers, but gives winch have fallen in other countries at various periods; and with specimens which one of us has inspected, of stones that have fallen in In dia, France, and Scotland. The chemical analysis also proves that their composition is the same; and it is well known to mineralogists and chemists that no such stones have been found among the productions of this globe. The falling of stones from the clouds is an event which has frequently happened in Europe, in Asia, and in South America. The accounts of such phenomena were, for a long time, rejected by philosophers, as the offspring of ignorance and superstition. Several facts of this kind, however, within a few years, have been proved by evidence so unexceptionable, as to overcome the most obstinate incredulity. It is now admitted not only that such phenomena have existed in modern times, but that the accounts of similar events in for mer ages are in a high degree probable. Within fifteen years past the falling of similar bodies, under similar circumstances, has happened in Portugal, Bohemia, France, Great Britain, India, and South America. To account for the existence of these stones, various theories have been formed by philosophers. Some have supposed them to be only common stones struck with lightning and pardy melted. But this theory has now no advocate. A less fanciful hypothesis is, that they are masses of matter thrown from volca But to this there are serious objections. No such bodies are found near the craters of Folcanoes, or are known to be projected from them. And in many instances these bodies have fallen several hundred and even several thousand miles from any known volcano. Some philosophers have supposed that these stones are thrown from terrestrial comets. Not to mention any other objection to this hypothesis, it will by no means account for such a phenomenon as appeared at Sienna in 1794, when stones descended, not from a moving meteor, but from a luminous cloud. Other philosophers, ascribing to these stones an origin still more extraordinary, suppose them to be projected from the moon. The subject must be acknowledged to be involved in much obscurity, and the phenomenon, till we are possessed of more facts and better observations, inust be considered as inexplicable. ACCOUNT OF THE MAGNETIC MOUNTAIN pass placed in this hole is instantly disturbed, and in a short time veers about to the eastward, till at last the north point seities itself in a due southerly direction, and remains. there. At a very little distance from this hole, perhaps on the very edge of it, the needle recovers its usual position. This singular circumstance was known when Martin wrote his account of the island, and is taken notice of by him. He indeed which is also curious. What increases the says the compass then settled at due east, singularity of this alteration in the needle, is a discovery lately made by Hector M'Neil, Esq. tacksman of the island. He mentioned the circumstances to us, and Lord Bredalbane, Sir Adam Fergusson, Mr. Isaac Hawkins Browne, and the rest of the company, went> to examine the fact. The harbour on the We north side is formed by a bold rock of basalt,s of the rock was broken off at the very OF CANNAY: BY GEORGE DEMPSTER, OFposite side of the harbour, at about a quar DUNNICHEN, ESQ. 11 ter of a mile's distance; neither of these ex periments produced any effect on the needle. Cannay is an island of ten or twelve miles In this island there are many columnar in circumference, with an excellent harbour. appearances, not unlike to Staffa; and In it is a hill of some height, called the several, buth straight and bent, and every Compass Hill, in which there is a little hole way as regular, which seems also to have dug about a foot or two, in depth. As com-like Siata, escaped observation till very lately. SPECIMENS OF DUTCH INDUSTRY. the Minister Extract of a Report [Resnined from p. 1170, Vol. IV.] CARPETING AND FLOOR-CLOTH. of honour. They have further mentioned in an honourable and distinguished manner, Prinsen Romaer Vander Loo, and Co, of Helmont, for having sent patterns of silk-velwhich, although recently established, appears vet-ribbon, mode in their manufactory, to have been considerably extended; and likewise of J. C. Wiedebosch, of Amsterdam, for having sent in an assortment of silk stockings of a very good quality it is, however, particularly recommended that the said manufacturers would use their utmost endeavours to equal the fineness of similar articles duced abroad. pro HEMP, FLAX, CORDAGE, AND THREAD, The quality of the floor-cloth, manufac tured in this country, has, fer some years, been considerably improved; and the Dutch carpet manufactories, although totally different from those in other countries, and not yet arrived at that state which might bear to be compared with them, deserve, however, in The cord and rope manufactories are of a genel, to be distinctly noticed. The com- different nature, they not being obliged to missioners, at the same time as they have ex- draw their original materials entirely from pressed their approbation of the different foreign countries. The importance and exqualities and patterns sent to them, distin-cellence of those manufactories, already estaguish with particular satisfaction the manublished in this country, for so many years, is factory of P. Haan, at Hilversan, which, sufficiently acknowledged; and it is with peaccording to the pieces manufactured there, cular satisfaction that the commissioners have and sent to the exhibition, has not only main- observed from the excellent workmanship and tained its reputation, but has also undergone moderate prices of the different sorts of corconsiderable improvements; and the com- dage sent in by C. J. Moleman Van Brienca, missioners have on that account, and as a of Gouda, that the cord manufactories of this farther encouragement, awarded to the said country have by no means lost their ancient manufacturer the silver prize of honour. celebrity, and that nothing but peace and commerce is required to raise them to their P. M. Smelders, of the house of E. F. former state of prosperity.-Among the corWander Hout and Son, of Geerbreiedenberg, dage sent in by the above-mentioned manuhaving sent in some very good specimens of factory, the log-lines deserve particular notice, hats, at moderate prices, the commissioners as having been brought to such a state of per have awarded to him the silver prize of honour. fection, that they equal in every respect those The commissioners have likewise thought of other countries. To this maker the comproper to mention in an honourable, and dismissioners have awarded the silver prize of inguished manner, J. Erovk Aarts and Co. honour. The utility of the flax manufac of Amersfoort, who have also forwarded tories is also generally known: the original various samples of hats to the exhibition, and materials used therein are likewise the prowhose manufactory, though only established duce of our own soil. The samples of Dutch in February, 1807, bids very fair for success. flax sent to the exhibition by W. Vollenhoven and Son, of Rotterdam, having, on account of their excellent dressing, attracted particular notice, the commissioners have awarded to them the silver prize of honour. HATS. WROUGHT SILKS AND VELVET. The original materials used in the silk and velvet manufactories, being entirely the produce of other countries, the wrought silks and #elvet sent to the exhibition have therefore justly excited the admiration of the spectators. The extension of this branch of national industry is of the utmost importance to the manufactories established in this country; as it is no longer doubtful but the above-mention ed articles may be manufactured in this kingdom of as good a quality as those of any other part of the world. J. La Coste, Widow P. Van Walrée, and Co. and D. Van Lennep Coster, of Amsterdam, having sent in some beautiful pieces of wrought silk and velvet, made in their manufactories, which, as well in quality and richness of colours as in moderation of price, may vie with foreign pro-ductions, the commissioners have awarded to each of those manufacturers a silver prize' The thread-manufactories also properly belong to this country; Dutch thread being every where acknowledged to excel that made in other countries. F. W. Lonterians, of Bois-le-Duc, has sent a considerable number of samples of variously assorted thread. The excellence of the different articles made in this manufactory, as well the vast extent of the manufactory itself, which gives employment to more than two thousand persons, having attracted the notice of the commissioners, they have conferred upon the said master the silver prize of honour. The commissioners have, however, at the same time, expressed their regret that no other thread manufacturers have thought proper to send their productions to this exhibition. *****PAPER. LINEN CLOTH, TABLE LINEN, AND-DIMITY... Dutch table and other linen, has been noted for a length of time; and articles of this description, made in this country are eagerly sought after by the greatest part of Europe. Their reputation is so well esta blished, and the number of manufactories where those articles are made, is still so considerable, that the commissioners have been extremely surprised at the small number who have sent specimens of their labours to this exhibition. The commissioners have therefore been obliged to content themselves with mentioning in an honourable and distinguish el manner, the following manufacturers, in expectation that at a future exhibition others may be excited to send in their works, and thereby co-operate in accomplishing the grand and salutary object of this institution: viz, B. Bruins and Son, of Hengelo, particu-J. Noning and Son of Zaandyk, who have larly on account of their linen cloth; Widow P. Bagairs and Son, of Helmont, on acent of their table linens and B. Bavinck and Son, of Almelo, who have sent to the exhibition patterns of dimity. The Dutch paper manufactories have been brought to such a state of perfection, that different sorts of paper made in this country may justly vie with that manufactured abroad. But, notwithstanding the great number of Paper manufactories in this kingdom, very few of them, have sent specimens of their industry. The samples sent by the following manufacturers are in the meantime sufficient proofs that the paper made in this country still deserves to be reckoned among the best that is fabricated anywhere: and as these samples are very good of their sort, the commissioners have mentioned each of these manufacturers in an honourable and distinguished manner, viz. Sankool of Zaandyk, for samples of atlas and royal drawing pas Fecielleteau De Bruin and Co. of Boxel and per, and some post and writing paper: CALICO. sent to the exhibition various kinds of véllum paper, of a very good quality: also Stolp and Ligt, of West Luar, for some stained pa per for flowers, being a first experiment. LEATHER. The leather manufactories of this country, The calico manufactories. which former-have already, for a great many years, been in Jy used to be an important branch of national industry, are, for the present, generally in a less prosperous state, which is particularly to be attributed to the want of raw cotmn, as well as to the stagnation of trade and navigation. a very flourishing state, and form no inconsiderable part of the national productions. The improvements effected by recent discoveries in chemistry have likewise been adopted among them, with every prospect of success. The manufacturing of what is called morocco The spinning of cotton, by means of ma or printed and stained calf's leather, was how chinery, is an object of the utmost impor-ever not so well known in this country. The tance, and which in this country, is still samples of this art sent to the exhibition by open to material and considerable improve the widow S. F. Helb of Amsterdam have tent; it was therefore peculiarly gratifying therefore caused very great surprize and satis to observe, from the different samples sent to faction: these samples are so beautiful, and the exhibition, that sundry manufacturers the dressing (after having been examined by peo have begun to apply themselves to this sons well acquainted therewith), has been found branch, with every prospect of success. so excellent, that there is not the least doubt The samples of cotton, spun by means of but the produce of this manufactory, the first machinery, and sent to the exhibition by the and only one within our knowledge, of this brothers Schophans, of Enschede, having kind, in the kingdom, may easily vie with been found of a peculiarly excellent quality, that made in other countries, and is by no those brothers have been deemed worthy of means inferior to the moroc leather prothe silver prize of honour.--The commission- duced in Turkey or England, while the prices eps have further mentioned in an honourable in proportion to the superior quality of this lea and distinguished manner, G. A. Versteege ther have heen found very moderate. The and Co. of Zutphen, for having sent in a golden prize of honour has been therefore: considerable assortment of printed calico, of very justly awarded to this manufacturers very good quality. They have likewise The commissioners have moreover considered considered the samples sent in by the follow-it as their duty to mention the following ma ing manufacturers as worthy of being insert-nufacturers in an honourable and distinguished ed in their report: a piece of printed calico manner: viz. G. S. Revink of Lochem for by A. Muller and Son, of Nieuwer Ainstet, having sent in some very well tanned hides the milled and checked woollen stuff, and the I. M. Maryne and Co. of Graave, on: Molton cotton counterpane, by L. Janse account of some very well dressed boot legs Rain, of Hiloersun, and the piece of Mol- and M. Vonsiuga of Groningen who has sent 19n cotton in imitation of that manufactured various articles made of towed leather. The in England by R., S, Das, of the same place. manufactories of L. Sobule of Zeyot, mems |