Father Francotte of St. Xavier’s College [in Calcutta] says that the unusual dryness of the atmosphere appears to have given rise to some singular display of electrical phenomena. A few days ago one of his colleagues who was in charge of the observatory at the time happened to place his hand on a pillar when he received a severe shock. Father Francotte explained that the pillar must have been charged with the electricity of the ground, and his colleague with the opposing electricity from the air. Such a phenomenon would not occur in ordinary circumstances, and is to be attributed in this case to the exceptional dryness of the atmosphere. Another singular incident which being mentioned to Father Francotte, was attributed by him to a similar cause, is said to have been observed by a gentleman of Howrah. The latter states that on Wednesday night between half past ten and eleven he noticed that the wind which had been blowing from south-west had suddenly veered to the north. At the same time the north-west horizon became over-cast with great fluffy clouds. While he was watching these he observed a streak of intensely bright light which slowly rose upwards. After a time the light began to fade when the wind returned to the south-west and clouds disappeared. Father Francotte believes this was perhaps an instance of what is known as st elmos fire. This is a glow accompanying slow discharge of electricity to earth from atmosphere.
