^ 



396 Prof. Hall on the extraordinary darkness of Nov, 1819. 



In the small quantity of water, whch fell from the atmosphere^ 

 I did not observe any extraordinary colour^, or smelly, or taste. It is 

 stated in Le Courier du Bas- Canada^ ^' that the water was of a black 

 colour, as if it had been impregnated with a large proportion of soot ; 

 and that several persons^ who had tasted it, discovered the tast€ of 



soot. This colour the water retained 



I 



■ 



jead remarks of a similar kind in the newspapers from various 

 parts of New England. Had the fall of water here been more copi- 

 ous^ I should probably have noticed the peculiarity above described. 

 The appearance of the heavens during the late period of dark- 

 ness was very much like that which is frequently occasioned by ex- 

 tensive fires in the woods. An effect^ similar in kind, but far infe- 

 rior in degree, was produced a few years since by the fires, which 



* 



raged several weeks, and consumed most of the underwood on the 

 Green mountains opposite this place. The darkness observed at 



r 



that time was .very considerable, and the sky was of a pale yellow- 

 ish-red aspect. 



The cause assigned by Dr. Williams,* for the uncommon dark- 



r 



ness of 1780, is perhaps the most satisfactory which could be 

 given. But in the present case, no similar cause can be supposed, 

 at least in New England. No great fires were destroying our 



L 



woodlands. It was too late in the season. The combustible matter 



i 



of the forests was not sufficiently dry. 



The darkness of 1780 occurred in May after a long period of 

 dry weather ; that of 1819, in November, without being preceded 



any unusual drought, especially in this part of the country. 

 The former lasted only thirteen or fourteen hours ; the latter near- 



eek 



Memo 



