Thunderstorms, Heat, Meteor, &c.
as though they were only pack thread, blew up the canvas and turned the whole thing inside out. The fright of the men, the screams of the women and the children, and the dismay of the performers may well be imagined. The mysteries of dressing and undressing were exposed to public gaze and the fright of the horses rendered them difficult to manage. Of course the circus was soon emptied of its sight seers; and fortunately with no injury to life or limb. There were, however, some fractured, some fractured(sic) bonnets, crumpled hats, as well as spoilt dresses by the blowing over of oil lamps. It was somewhat of a coincidence that another thunderstorm happened on the 11th of August, the day on which Gunnett's circus entered Hastings.
Another Thunderstorm occurred at night on the 16th of August with rain and hail, the latter of a larger size than many persons had before witnessed. The heavy rain, however, which fell at St. Leonards did not extend to Hastings - a feature which on three separate occasions has been noticed and recorded by the writer. In this particular instance the sound of the rolling thunder was like the roar of a turbulent sea.
The Weather, with two exceptions, was fine and dry from July 21st to Aug 19th, with an abnormal maximum temperature; the thermometer in the house registering 85, 86, 89, 88 & 84 respectively, on the 7th to 11th of August.
A Remarkable Meteor was observed on the 6th of January at St. Leonards, as well as at Hastings and numerous other places. It was seen at about 5 o'clock like brilliant star, descending from a point of the heavens near the planet Jupiter. It travelled in a S. W. direction, with a train resembling the tail of a comet, and before reaching the horizon, it appeared to explode or to expand into a ball of fire. Its coure as afterwards shown by a line of phospheric light, which changes its form to a serpentine shape, as though differently curved by opposing currents or attractive forces. It also had varied hues from white to a dull red. The atmosphere was very clear at the time, and the barometer low.
The Lunar Eclipse on the 13th of October, and the view of bright Jupiter just after his opposition, formed together an interesting sight.
Balls, Concerts and other Entertainments
Mr. and Mrs. Wastel Brisco, at Bohemia House in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, gave a grand entertainment on the 15th of January to a very large circle of friends, the double drawing-room being specially decorated for the occasion. There was dancing efore and after supper to the music of Wood and Elford's full band.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomerie also gave a grand evening party on the 18th of January at their residence, 15 Eversfield place.
Dr. Turner, of Warrior square, had an evening and dancing party of forty friends on the 28th of April.
