THE SUN AND SOLAR PHENOMENA. 61 



of Mirk Monday. The darkness which attends full solar eclipses appears to vary, owing 

 chiefly to a difference in the condition of the atmosphere, and the time of the day. Though 

 strongly marked on all occasions, it is more peculiar than profound ; and altogether 

 confined to the brief period of totality. So long as the smallest portion of the lustrous 

 orb is visible, there is considerable light. Nature simply looks sobered and saddened till 

 the moment of entire obscuration arrives. Then, besides the sensible diminution of light, 

 a strange, spectre-like aspect is stamped upon the appearance of every object sky, clouds, 

 trees, buildings, mountains, streams, animals, and man producing an effect which is 

 unexpected, sublime, and even appalling. Equally startling and remarkable is the change 

 upon the first re-appearance of the solar ray. It rushes out suddenly, and with brilliant 

 effect from the limb of the overshadowed orb, and in an instant the day is restored to 

 nature. An interesting anecdote appeared in the journal of the Lower Alps respecting the 

 eclipse of July 8, 1842. "A poor child of the commune of Sieyes was watching her flock 

 when it commenced. Entirely ignorant of the event which was approaching, she saw with 

 anxiety the sun darken by degrees, for there was no cloud or vapour visible which might 

 account for the phenomenon. When the light disappeared at once, she began to weep ; 

 and in the height of her terror, called out for help. Her tears were still flowing when the 

 sun sent forth his first ray. Reassured by the aspect, the child crossed her hands, 

 exclaiming, in the patois of the province, "0 beou soideou!" "0 beautiful sun!" 



The eclipse just referred to excited extraordinary interest, as the lunar shadow travelled 

 over a part of Europe studded with crowded cities, the north of Italy, and the southern 

 provinces of France, Germany, and Russia. It was well observed at various stations by 

 the leading astronomers of the age. M. Arago awaited its occurrence at Perpignan ; 

 M. Valz at Marseilles ; M. Petit at Montpelier ; M. Carlini at Milan ; MM. Santini and 

 Conti at Padua ; MM. Schumacher and Littrow at Vienna ; MM. Otto Struve and 

 Schidlowsky at Lipesk ; while of our own countrymen, Mr Baily was posted at Pavia, and 

 Mr Airy at the Superga near Turin. The sun was totally hidden 2 m. and 11 s. at 

 Perpignan ; and 3 m. 5 s. at Lipesk. The planet Mare, with Aldebaran, Capella, two 

 stars of the constellation Gemini, and others, shone out. At Venice, the citizens remarked, 

 with reference to a steamer on the Lagunes, that the column of smoke from the funnel 

 ceased to be visible, while the sparks of fire which accompanied it were very distinct and 

 striking. The obscurity had a wan and livid hue a shade of grayish olive which 

 seemed to throw over nature an air of appalling sickliness, and imparted to the human 

 countenance an aspect painful to contemplate. The heavens appeared of a grayish violet ; 

 horses and other animals employed in the fields halted at once, and obstinately refused to 

 move ; but, on the other hand, the fact was well ascertained, that horses in the diligences 

 jogged on without seeming to be at all affected by the phenomenon. At Montpelier, the 

 bats, thinking that night was come, left their retreats ; an owl was seen to leave the church 

 tower of St Peter, and fly over part of the town ; the swallows disappeared ; the fowls went 

 to roost ; a herd of cattle, feeding in a field, formed themselves into a circle, with their 

 heads directed outwards, as if to resist an attack ; and several plants, which usually shut 

 up their leaves at night, were observed to close. A heavy dew fell at Perpignan, Turin, 

 and Vienna, during the total obscuration ; and the red stars Aldebaran and a Orionis 

 appeared quite ivhite. The fidelity with which this eclipse answered to previous calcula 

 tions respecting the time of its occurrence, made a powerful impression upon the popular 

 mind, with reference to the advanced state of science, and the regularity which marks the 

 great clock-work of the universe. At Milan and Pavia the populace gave vent to their 

 feelings in a general Huzza.li! vivent les astronomes f 



When totally obscured by the body of the moon, the place of the sun is made apparent 

 by the brightness of that part of the heavens in which it is situated. This brightness appears 



