262 Aurora Borealis of September 3, 1839. 
of September 3, 1839; nor have I been able to learn that any of 
the oldest inhabitants remember one of equal magnificence. The 
late display was but little inferior to those I have observed in 
New Jersey, three times within the last fonr years. About 7 
P. M., the northern sky appeared unusually bright, as if affected 
by lunar twilight. A large bank of vapor or thin cloud was dis- 
covered in the N., gently declining toward the E. and W. points 
of the horizon, and extending perhaps 30° in each direction. A 
similar bank of smaller dimensions was seen in the N. E., bat 
less bright than the Northern. Ina few minutes, the upper edges 
of both banks, but especially of the Northern, had a whiteness 
resembling the enlightened disk of the moon in its greatest splen- 
dor. The bank was at this time about 12° in height as deter- 
mined by a theodolite. At 7h. 25m. a white streamer about 2° 
in width, arose from the bank about N. 6° E., and shot upwards 
through the Pole star as far as the zenith, being rather convex on 
the Western side. . Others appeared immediately on both sides of 
it, passing through or near Ursa Major and Cassiopeia. ‘The bank 
in the N. E. exhibited as yet no coruscations. At 7h. 45m., the 
columns had become larger and more numerous. One embraced 
Ursa Major, and another Cassiopeia, without farther extension 
horizontally. ‘These were both of a brilliant crimson color, an 
remained nearly stationary for a considerable time, while the in- 
tervening column became faint. A westward motion was soon 
after observed in three principal columns, and about the same 
time a diminution in the brightness of the red ones. On this 
last occurrence, thin horizontal clouds of a red color were seen 
crossing the columns at an altitude of 30°, which however soon 
disappeared. When the northern bank possessed less energy; the 
Northeastern sent up to the zenith an intensely red column which 
continued to glow until nearly 9h., alternating however in bright- 
ness with those in the N. The Northern coruscations ceased 
about 9 P. M., and the other bank gave forth afterward but few 
and less vivid streamers. Before 10h. these had also ceased, yet 
the northern bank continued to exhibit its silvery edge; 2" 
another display occurred after midnight. 'The Northern bank 
attained an altitude of 224° at Sh. 15m., and was about 3° higher 
at 8h. 40m. : 
“A very brilliant white column, 1° wide, and 3° W. of Arctt- 
rus, appeared to have undulations in the directions of its length 
