372 JFldrlwinds excited by Fires, 



mountain, south of Stockbridge, near the river Housatonic, 

 which runs through the town. Near the foot of the mountain 

 at its northern termination, was an open field, in which a 

 large quantity of bushes and brushwood, that had been cut 

 some time previously, in clearing the field, was lying in rows 

 and heaps for burning, and had become perfectly dry and com- 

 bustible. The owner of the field, as the fire reached near its 

 border, sent some men to set all on fire around the field, in 

 order to consume the whole together. The weather was mild 

 and serene, and the atmosphere perfectly still and undisturbed. 

 I was residing at this time at the distance of about half a mile 

 from the fire, and my attention was suddenly excited by a loud, 

 roaring noise like that of heavy thunder ; whereupon, going to 

 the door, I instantly discovered the cause. Upon the fire be- 

 coming general throughout the field, a whirlwind had formed 

 in the midst of the flames, and when I first saw the phenome- 

 non, its appearance was sublime and awful. The flames were 

 collected from every side into a large column, broad at the 

 bottom, but suddenly tapering to a much smaller size, and it 

 stood erect in the field to the probable height of 150 to 200 feet. 

 It was a pillar of living and most vivid flame, whirling round 

 with most astonishing velocity, while from its top pi'oceeded a 

 spire of black smoke, to a height beyond the reach of the eye, 

 and whirling with the same velocity with the column of flame. 

 The noise produced by this whirlwind, was louder than almost 

 any thunder I have ever heard ; and being much longer conti- 

 nued, was heard at a greater distance than is commonly the case 

 with thunder. During the whole period of its continuance, 

 the pillar of fire moved slowly and majestically round the field ; 

 but generally the air was entirely free from both fire and 

 smoke, except what was collected in the column. The spire 

 of smoke above the pillar of fire, not only whirled around with 

 the most surprising rapidity, but owing to its great height, 

 waved gracefully in the air, which added much to the beauty 

 and splendour of the exhibition. The force of the whirlwind 

 was so great, that young trees of six or eight inches in diame- 

 ter, which had been cut and were lying on the gi'ound, were 

 taken up by it, and carried to the height of forty or fifty feet. 

 The scene was to me perfectly novel ; and though it occurred 

 nearly fifty years ago, is still clear and distinct in my reeollec- 



