s of some of
them may very probably have been exaggerated: but the reality was
nevertheless as wonderful, surely, as any thing related concerning the
ages of antiquity.

A proneness to credulity is ever blameable. And it is very possible,
that sometimes, in a very wonderful narration, a jest may be intended to
be palmed upon the world, instead of any elucidation of truth.--But
facts, _positively affirmed_, should be hearkened to with patience: and,
at least, so far recorded, as to give an opportunity of verifying
whether similar events do afterwards happen; and of comparing such
events one with another.

To what has been said, therefore, concerning the fall of stones in
Tuscany, and concerning these strange showers of hail, in France, and in
England, it might perhaps too justly be deemed an unwarrantable
omission, on this occasion, not to mention the very strange fact that
is affirmed to have happened the last year, near _the Wold Cottage_ in
Yorkshire.

I leave the fact to rest on the support of the testimonies referred to
in the printed paper, which is in so many persons' hands; and that is
given to those who have the curiosity to examine the stone itself, now
exhibiting in London;--and shall only relate the substance of the
account shortly, as it is given to us.

In the afternoon of the 13th of December, 1795, near the Wold Cottage,
noises were heard in the air, by various persons, like the report of a
pistol; or of guns at a distance at sea; though there was neither any
thunder or lightning at the time:--two distinct concussions of the earth
were said to be perceived:--and an hissing noise, was also affirmed to
be heard by other persons, as of something passing through the air;--and
a labouring man plainly saw (as we are told) that something was so
passing; and beheld a stone, as it seemed, at last, (about ten yards, or
thirty feet, distant from the ground) descending, and striking into the
ground, which flew up all about him: and in falling, sparks of fire,
seemed to fly from it.

Afterwards he went to the place, in company with others; who had
witnessed part of the phaenomena, and dug the stone up from the place,
where it was buried about twenty-one inches deep.

It smelt, (as it is said,) very strongly of sulphur, when it was dug up:
and was even warm, and smoked:--it was found to be thirty inches in
length, and twenty-eight and a half inches in breadth. And it weighed
fifty-six pounds.

Such is the acc