180 Aurora Borealis. 



Near Hartford, the aurora was observed with much attention by 

 Mr. E. H. Burritt. While his observations corresponded, in gene- 

 ral to those made elsewhere, it is somewhat singular that he was able 

 to detect no effect on the magnetic needle. On this point he re- 

 marks : " In the early part of my observations, I placed a magnetic 

 needle, of more than common sensibility, in the open air, to test, or 

 rather to verify, the magnetic theory of these phenomena. Two 

 assistants and myself watched the needle alternately, for two hours ; 

 but without the satisfaction of any evidence that the needle felt, in 

 the slightest measure, the inspiration of the scene. 1 thought if it 

 had ever betokened any sympathy in the most violent agitation of the 

 Northern Lights, it would now be too manifest to be mistaken. This 

 is the more singular, as the convergent point of all the radii of the 

 aurora, appeared to be not only in the magnetic meridian, but in the 

 elevated pole of the dipping needle produced, viz. 67 degrees from 

 the North pole." 



It is remarkable that at a place not more than about thirty miles 

 north of New Haven, the needle should appear to have undergone 

 no fluctuations, while they were so obvious here, as noted in the 

 observations of Mr. Herrick, and were noticed in other places remote 

 from this. Thus, a writer in the Republican, a paper published at 

 Annapolis, (Maryland,) observes — " The magnetic needle was very 

 sensibly affected — the needles in all the instruments constantly vibra- 

 ted in the horizontal arc, and exhibited also, in an unwonted degree, 

 by a vertical motion, the tendency to dip. In an excellent compass 

 by Dollond, the needle was drawn down into close contact with the 

 plate. The instrument was then inclined in its position to cause the 

 needle to traverse, and the declination noted at nine o'clock, and 

 compared with the amount the next morning at sunrise. The in- 

 strument indicated a difference in declination of ten degrees P^ The 

 Barometer according to the same writer stood at 30.2 inches, within 

 one tenth of an inch of its height at this place, although Annapolis 

 is distant about three hundred miles. 



The accurate descriptions with which several able correspondents 

 have furnished me of the phenomenon, as seen at different places, 

 will afford the means of making some estimate of the height of par- 

 ticular objects ; but my limits do not permit me to enter upon it here. 

 Nor can I add at present any thing respecting the origin of the Au- 

 rora Borealis, except to declare my conviction, that it is not satis- 

 factorily accounted for by any existing theory. In assigning it so 



