Mr Harvey 071 an interesting Meteorological Phenomenon. 149 



tremities of the clouds, a pure and cloudless sky prevailed, 

 whilst over the land, on both sides, the moving masses conti- 

 nued their courses for upwards of two hours. 



It was most interesting to watch the gradual progress of the 

 cloud on the western side ; how steadily it advanced with the 

 gentle south-west wind; how it maintained its character andform 

 up to a particular point ; and how soon it became mingled with 

 the brilliant expanse of the sky when the temperature of the 

 sea began to exercise its power. 



Now and then a denser portion of the moving column would 

 detach itself just before it reached the tower, and, passing on 

 with the breeze, seemed to maintain an ineffectual struggle 

 with the influence of the water below ; but gradually losing its 

 dimensions and form, would at last vanish like the mass from 

 which it had been separated. / 



Mount Edgecumbe has often its natural beauties very much 

 increased by the most varied and interesting formations of mist. 

 About a month ago, a sudden alteration of temperature pro- 

 duced a condensation of moisture, attended with the most 

 striking appearances. The higher parts of the mount became 

 rapidly covered with masses of mist, having a remarkable uni- 

 formity in their superior limits, but dropping in their lower 

 extremities, in the most various and beautiful forms. The 

 process of condensation commenced, as in the former example, 

 at the extremity of the hill ; and as the gentle S. E. breeze 

 carried forward the rolling volumes of visible vapour, the in- 

 equalities of the land, and the groves with which that charm- 

 ing spot abounds, occasioned innumerable alterations of figure ; 

 — this moment falling in graceful festoons between the oaks 

 and the cedars, which wave in majesty and beauty; and at the 

 next, rising suddenly above the pines and the elms, losing it- 

 self gradually in the cloudless azure above. For two hours 

 and a half this very interesting appearance continued, displaying 

 every variety of light and shade, and endless groups of the 

 most fanciful and lovely forms. Now and then also, tinges of 

 red, and yellow, and gray, falling on different points of the 

 misty forms, increased in a high degree the beauty of the 

 scene. * 



* In April 1819, a period never to be forgotten by the writer of this brief 



