SECTION VI

Summary

One of the most splendid comets mentioned in history is that which made its appearance in the middle of the year 1264. It is recorded in terms of astonishment by nearly all the historians of the age; no one then living had seen any to be compared with it. It was at the height of its splendor in the month of August, and during the early part of September. When the head was just visible above the eastern horizon in the early morning sky, the tail stretched out past the mid-heaven toward the west, or was fully 100° in length. Both Chinese and European writers testify to its enormous magnitude. In China, the tail was not only 100° long, but appeared curved in the form of a saber. It continued visible until the beginning of October, historians generally agreeing in dating its last appearance on the 2d of October, or on the night of the death of Pope Urban IV., of which event it seems to have been considered the precursor. Bough approximations to the elements of this comet were attempted by Mr. Dunthorne in the middle of the last century, and subsequently by M. Pingré, the well-known French writer on the history of comets.

In the year 1556 another splendid comet made its appearance. It was seen in some places near the end of February, and was equal in size to half the moon. Its beard was short, and was unsteady. It exhibited a movement like that of a flame, or a torch disturbed by the wind. The length of its tail was about four degrees; its color resembled that of Mars, but somewhat paler.