at (leaving the whole to
rest upon such testimony as the learned Professor has already collected
together; and to be supported by such further corroboration, as I am
informed is likely _soon_ to arrive in England,) I cannot but think it
doing some service to the cause of literature, and science, to give to
the world, in the earliest instance, a short abridgement of the
substance of the whole of the information; expressed in the most concise
and plainest language, in which it is possible for me to convey a full
and exact idea of the phaenomenon.

It may be of some use, and afford satisfaction to several curious
persons, to find the whole here compressed in so small a compass.

And, as I shall add my own conclusions without reserve; because the
whole of the phaenomenon tends greatly to confirm some ideas which I had
previously been led to form, many years ago, concerning the
consolidation of certain species of stone; it may open a door for
further curious investigation.

And it may at least amuse, if not instruct; whilst I add a short detail
of uncommon facts, recorded in antient history, and tending to shew
clearly, that we are not without precedents of _similar events_ having
happened, in the early ages of antiquity.

On the 16th of June, 1794, a tremendous cloud was seen in Tuscany, near
Siena, and Radacofani; coming from the north, about seven o'clock in the
evening;--sending forth sparks, like rockets;--throwing out smoke like a
furnace;--rendering violent explosions, and blasts, more like those of
cannon, and of numerous muskets, than like thunder;--and casting down to
the ground hot stones:--whilst the lightning that issued from the cloud
was remarkably red; and moved with _less_ velocity than usual.

The cloud appeared of different shapes; to persons in different
situations; and remained suspended a long time: but every where was
plainly seen to be burning, and smoking like a furnace.

And its original height, from a variety of circumstances put together,
seems to have been much above the common region of the clouds.

The testimony, concerning the falling of the stones from it, appears to
be almost unquestionable:--and is, evidently, from different persons,
who had no communication with each other.

For first; the fall of four stones is precisely ascertained: one of
which was of an irregular figure, with a point like that of a
diamond;--weighed five pounds and an half;--and had a vitriolic
smell.--And ano