AURORA BOREALIS. 169 



crimson columns, the most beautiful of all, as it ascended to- 

 wards the common focus crossed the planet Jupiter, then at an 

 altitude of thirty-six degrees. The appearance was peculiarly 

 interesting, as the planet shone through the crimson clouds with 

 its splendor apparently augmented rather than diminished. 



A few shooting stars were seen at intervals, some of which 

 above the ordinary magnitude and brightness. One that came 

 from between the feet of the Great Bear, at eight minutes after 

 one o'clock, and fell apparently near to the earth, exhibited a very 

 white and dazzling light and as it exploded scattered shining frag- 

 ments very much after the manner of a sky rocket. 



As early as seven o'clock, the magnetic needle began to show 

 unusual agitation, and after that it was carfully observed. Near 

 eleven o'clock, when the streamers were rising and the corona 

 forming, the disturbance of the needle was very remarkable, 

 causing a motion of one degree and five minutes, in five minutes 

 of time. This disturbance continued until ten o'clock the next 

 morning, the needle having traversed an entire range of one de- 

 gree and forty minutes, while its ordinary deflection is not more 

 than four minutes. 



Another writer, speaking of the same appearance, says We 

 can compare the spectacle to nothing but an immense umbrella 

 suspended from the heavens, the edges of which embraced more 

 than half the visible horizon ; in the south-east its lower edge 

 covered the belt of Orion, and farther to the left the planet Ju- 

 piter shone in all its magnificence and glory, as through a trans- 

 parency of gold and scarlet. The whole scene was indescribably 

 beautiful and solemn. It was a spectacle of which painting and 

 poetry united can give no adequate idea, and which philosophy 

 will fail to account for to the satisfaction of the student of nature, 

 or the disciple of revelation. The cause can be known only to 

 HIM at whose bidding 



Darkness fled Light shone, 

 And the etherial quintessence of heaven 

 Flew upward, spirited with various forms 

 That rolled orbicular, and turned to stars. 



The appearance of April 23d 183G, is thus described by Olm- 



