194 before the
Christian aera.

Such are the records of antient history. And in Holy Writ also a
remembrance of similar events is preserved.

For when the royal Psalmist says,[X] "_The Lord also thundered out of
heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder: hail-stones_, AND COALS OF
FIRE,"--the latter expression, in consistency with common sense, and
conformably to the right meaning of language, cannot but allude to some
_such_ phaenomenon as we have been describing. And especially, as in the
cautious translation of the seventy, a Greek word is used, which
decidedly means _real hard substances made red hot_; and not mere
appearances of fire or flame.

Whilst therefore, with the same sacred writer,[Y] we should be led to
consider all these powerful operations, as the works of God; _Who
casteth forth his ice like morsels_;[Z] and should be led to consider
"_fire and hail, snow and vapours, wind and storm as fulfilling his
word_;"[AA] we should also be led to perceive, that the objections to
Holy Writ, founded on a supposed _impossibility_ of the truth of what is
written in the book of _Joshua_,[BB] concerning the stones that fell
from heaven, on the army of the Canaanites; are only founded in
ignorance, and error.

And much more should we be led to do so; when, to these observations,
and testimonies, concerning showers of hot burning stones, is added the
consideration; that within the short period of our own lives, incredibly
large _real hail-stones_, formed of consolidated ice;--_of ice
consolidated in the atmosphere_, have fallen both in France, and in
England.

In France, on the 13th of July in the year 1788;--of which it is well
known there has been a printed account: and concerning which it is said,
and has been confirmed, on good authority, that some of the stones
weighed three pounds: whilst others have been said to weigh even five
pounds.

And in England, on the 20th of October, 1791, in Cornwall.

Of one of the hail-stones of this latter, minor storm, I have had an
opportunity of obtaining, by the favour of a friend, an exact model in
glass; whereof I now add an engraving.

This stone fell, with thousands of others of the same kind, near
_Menabilly_, the seat of _Philip Rashleigh_, Esq.; well known for his
science, and attention to whatever is curious; who having great copper
works, and many ingenious miners, and workmen, on his estate, and
directly under his eye; caused it to be instantly picked up: and