96 Accounts of Instances of Aurora Borealis. 



about 7 o'clock, we first noticed a slight appearance of the 

 aurora towards the northward, but it was somewhat con- 

 cealed by a heavy bank of clouds which settled upon the 

 horizon. These were, however, tinged with a reddish hue, 

 and induced many to suppose that a great fire was raging at 

 some distance down the river. Occasionally some of the 

 smaller clouds higher up in the heavens would have the same 

 colour, but less apparent and more flickering and changeable. 



At about ] 0, the sky presented a complete sheet of the 

 aurora, from north to south, and from east to west ; at one 

 time forming itself into arches, at another running into spear- 

 like points ; now shining with a clear lunar refulgence, and 

 then diminishing away gradually. At length, after it had 

 played its gambols about the heavens, it seemed to reserve all 

 its extraordinary brilliancy for its final display, at about 

 half-past 10 to 11 o'clock. Over head, as if from a centre, 

 rays of glory shot to every portion of the heavens, reaching 

 to the edge of the visible horizon. We can compare it only 

 to the outstretched web of an umbrella, or of a large tent, or, 

 perhaps more properly, to the neatly arranged silk panel of 

 a cabinet piano. 



At first, it exhibited a slight roseate hue, which at length 

 increased to a deep red colour, varying, as the aurora flickered, 

 between a beautiful pink and a blood-red tint. The variations 

 were most splendid ; and nothing could equal the brilliancy 

 of the changes which each moment produced. The stars 

 which were occasionally visible through the red flashes were 

 each encircled with a small halo, adding much to their beauty, 

 though their brilliancy was somewhat dimmed. 



From the Baltimore Chronicle. 



The Charleston Mercury states, that during the late gale 

 at the south, whilst the schooner Laura, Captain Walker, 

 was in about latitude 30° north, and to the eastward of the 

 Gulf Stream, about 70 miles from land, she was visited by a 

 very large number of land birds, which appeared to have 

 been blown off by the wind, then blowing very hard from 

 north to north-west. Many were swept beyond the vessel, 

 and, in the endeavour to return on board, fell exhausted into 

 the water, and perished. A great number came on board, 

 and were sheltered in the cabin. Seventy-two were killed 

 and eaten by the sailors. 



As near as can be recollected, the following birds were 

 identified — red-headed woodpeckers, reed birds, mocking 

 birds, blue jays, stone plovers, large blue herons, and night 

 herons. They remained with the vessel until the gale abated, 



