Meteoric displays, swarms of shooting stars, have been observed at
various times all through the ages; but this phenomenon, coming in the
order given by the prophecy, that is, following the darkening of the
sun, constituted the sublime display answering to the pen-picture of the
Apocalypse,--as if all the stars of heaven were falling to the earth.
The essential thing about a sign is that it shall be seen, that the
circumstances of its appearance shall fasten attention. Not in America
alone, but equally in all the civilized world, as a topic of study, this
sign in the heavens commanded the attention of men.
An English scientist, Rev. Thomas Milner, F.R.G.S., wrote:
"The attention of astronomers in Europe, and all over the
world, was, as may be imagined, strongly roused by intelligence
of this celestial display on the Western continent."--_"The
Gallery of Nature" (London, 1852), p. 141._
This writer called it "by far the most splendid display on
record."--_Id., p. 139._
Another English astronomical writer of more recent date says:
"Once for all, then, as the result of the star fall of 1833,
the study of luminous meteors became an integral part of
astronomy.
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