273 Aurora Borealis of November 14, 1837. 



along the horizon around toward the west, a brightness began to 

 appear in the northwest, which, in a very short time, extended 

 itself upward forty five degrees, in a column of diffused light, 

 quite broad at the base, and tapering to a point. This column 

 moved very slowly southward, and at length became divided into 

 two of similar character. But in the mean time, in all the north, 

 and especially in the northwest, numerous streamers began to 

 make their appearance. They became faintly red at the height 

 of about 30°, and the redness of the whole blended itself into one 

 general cloud, while the columns continued distinct and white 

 below. The changes were rapid, as is usual ; but the red tint 

 covered the heavens nearly to the zenith for a long time. No 

 corona was formed. The moon, emerging from the clouds a little 

 before eight, detracted from the brightness of the display, which 

 was at no time very intense. The whole subsided, or nearly so, 

 shortly after eight, and observations were discontinued. 



But, at a few minutes before nine, the writer was summoned to 

 witness a new exhibition of auroral magnificence, the glories of 

 which no tongue can tell. The heavens were at this time wholly 

 cmclouded, with the exception of a single very small and faint 

 cirrus high in the northwest. Innumerable bright arches shot 

 up from the whole northern semicircle of the horizon, and from 

 even farther south ; all converging to the zenith with great ra- 

 pidity. Their upper extremities were of the most brilhant scarlet, 

 while below they were intensely white. At the formation of the 

 corona, the appearance of the columns below, which were exceed- 

 ingly numerous and brilliant, resembled what we may conceive 

 would be that of bright cotton of long fibre, drawn out at full 

 length. The comparison though humble, is more strikingly de- 

 scriptive than any other the observer could invent. To attempt 

 in language, a picture of the magnificence of the corona, would 

 be utterly idle. It surpassed that of every other, that the writer 

 has ever had an opportunity of observing. The intermingled hues 

 afforded each other a mutual strong relief; and exhibited the 

 most brilliant contrasts ever beheld. The stellar form was won- 

 derfully perfect and regular. Toward the west, there was a sec- 

 tor of more than twenty degrees of unmingled scarlet, exceedingly 

 magnificent. 



The duration of this display was quite remarkable. For tliree 

 quarters of an hour after its formation, Avhich took place about 



