[BNP/E3, 27²¹J⁴ – 3]

I hope that you up there have not suffered by the storm. I myself sustained no injury, beyond passing a sleepless night, occasioned by infernal noise caused by the rain on these heavenly roofs of iron.

But, nevertheless, I have heard of some extremely strange cases caused, I have no doubt, by the storm. As they have not come, by their animateness within the limits of reporter knowledge; and as the minute is almost always the curious, I have no hesitation in bringing to your notice those of them which appear the strangest.

1. William Jones, a well-known citizen, of perfect respectability, was returning from a Church meeting on the night of the storm, when, being caught by the strong wind, he was lifted into the air and blown with incredible violence over a couple of streets into the bedroom of Miss X, a lady well-known in music halls, where he was found the next morning is especially a proof of the severity of the wind that when Mr. Jones was found he was half-undressed, having of course, had his clothes turn off by the wind.

  [3^v]

2. {…}

3. Daniel Knockout, cashier of a firm in town was, it appears, closing the window of the office, late at night, when the wind, in a sudden gust, blew him on to the safe, which burst open, the money rolling into Mr. Knockout’s pocket. It seems that, growing in violence, the wind whirled Mr. Knockout far away, as nothing has been heard of him hitherto. Great anxiety is moreover manifested on this young man’s account, especially by a member of the Natal Police force, who is, very possibly, a great friend.

4. {…}

Chemical affinity.

5. Mr. John Smith, a man of aristocratic antecedents, {…}