94 Accounts of Instances of Aurora Borealis 



zenith, from which rays of the same hue and brilliancy issued 

 in every direction, This light appeared to have a slow motion 

 towards the south, and in about half an hour faded, or rather 

 seemed to disperse itself through the sky. 



As this phenomenon was exceedingly peculiar, differing, 

 not in splendour only, but in form, hue, and character, from 

 all the appearances of the aurora in this country, of which we 

 have any record, it was doubtless generally seen ; and, if it 

 was observed with sufficient care, and in many places, it may 

 assist in deciding how far the light itself was from the surface 

 of the earth. This would be easily ascertained, if the angles 

 under which it was seen at the same time in different places 

 are compared. Here, the centre of the mass of light was, as 

 well as we could judge by the eye, about 8° north-west of the 

 Pleiades, at a quarter past 1 1 o'clock. 



Also from the Boston Daily Paper. 



The brilliant northern light which was observed here on 

 Tuesday night was observed also at New York, though evi- 

 dently, as far as we can judge from the descriptions given, 

 with considerable variation of appearance, and also of time. 

 It was observed also at sea, between this place and Portland, 

 as we learn from a passenger on board a packet from that 

 city ; and, we doubt not, along the whole coast. 



A brilliant light also appeared here through the whole of 

 Wednesday evening, the 18th, extending over the whole 

 northern part of the heavens, and, at intervals, in streams of 

 light to the zenith. 



From the New York Daily Advertiser of the 18th. 



There was a most magnificent display of the northern 

 lights during the early part of last evening. 



At 7 o'clock, the northerly division of the horizon was il- 

 lumined by an unusual light, which attracted general observ- 

 ation. At about 11 o'clock, the whole horizon presented a 

 most extraordinary appearance, something like the glare of 

 an extensive conflagration : the lights radiated from the zenith 

 of the horizon, having the appearance of the rays of the sun 

 when it is partly obscured by a cloud, or, as it is commonly 

 called, when the sun draws water : the hues of the various 

 radii were principally of a light pink, transparent as ether; 

 others were white, and a few nearly of a lead colour. In the 

 course of 10 or 15 minutes, they moved round towards the 

 east, and gradually faded away. It was the most singular 

 phenomenon of the kind that has been witnessed in these 

 regions for many years ; and, indeed, so much did it resemble 



