APPEARANCE OF A COMET.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 103, 15 October 1858, Page 2

APPEARANCE OF A COMET.

Last evenings the inhabitants of "Nelson were astonished by the unexpected sight of one of 4hese erratic wanderers through space. Soon after dark, a star with, a long streamer. of light was observed in the western pact of the heavens1, which soon attracted general observation ; and a slight attention to it satisfied the most doubting that a genuine comet was the object of their attention'; No comet has, we. understand, been predicted; and the astonishment of all. wa^ therefore the greater. Some gentlemen spoke of one whose advent had been expected about a year' and a half ago, but which had failed in making its appearance. At times, the tail of the comet was much more visible than at others, and seemed almost to flash with light. It extended for about 10° and w:ds inclined, upwards, slightly curved at. an angle of about 32°, from an imaginary line drawn across the atmosphere. By "eight o'clock iri the evening the weather became cloudy, and obscured our view of it. The day • has gone by when predictions are drawn from the appearance of these strange visitors ;.butwe ;h(ope that the subject will receive attention from •the scientific gentlemen'who. may reside here, and 'that we shall have- some account of it given to us, which may afford more information thaii the"-mere casual observance of it by the naked eye can. "It rapidly sunk, and was .lost to view behind t^e'hil's by Washington Valley at .about, half-past eight. From former', experience- wC^ should'hot be astonished if warmer weather than

usual .should follow the a.ppeararice.of this cotnetj as it has' been remarked as .the ■.usual cbnconii: tant in such cases. 7 :'