BLUE AIR. 197 



took place. The sky began to lower, and put 

 on an awful and gloomy appearance. The 

 clouds collected voluminously, and very heavily, 

 in every direction over the island, indicating a 

 prodigious fall of rain. At this time I do not 

 recollect any threatening of a storm of wind, 

 save a moderately-hollow sound of the sea 

 dashing against the shore, but by no means 

 equalling that which we frequently witness at 

 this season of the year, when a storm is im- 

 pending, or has passed by us. Thunder and 

 lightning began to be severe, and the weather 

 more threatening. Next morning, the llth, 

 I rose early for the purpose of writing, and 

 soon discovered the light was so dim that 

 I could not proceed. I removed to another 

 room, and finding my situation not improved, 

 I said in the presence of one of my family, 

 I apprehended a sudden failure of sight. I 

 was then asked if I had not observed a very 

 peculiar appearance of the sun's rays the day 

 before. I had not ; but had perceived the floor 

 of the room to look blue, especially where the 

 sun shone on it : indeed, every object in the 

 room appeared of a sickly blue colour. The 

 next day, the 12th, a mail-boat was put under 

 weigh, for the first time, with a party on board. 

 The day was so mild and tranquil, we could 

 only reach a few miles : the sails, which were 



