Dec. 1857. THE AUEOEA. 79 



respectively 110, 140, and 180 miles distant 

 from us. 



. Much aurora during tlie last two days. Yes- 

 terday morning it was visible until eclipsed by 

 the day-dawn at 10 o'clock. Although we could 

 no longer see it, I do not think it ceased ; very 

 thin clouds occupied its place, through which, 

 as through the aurora, stars appeared scarcely 

 dimmed in lustre. I do not imagine that aurora 

 is ever visible in a perfectly clear atmosphere. 

 I often observe it just silvering or rendering 

 luminous the uj)per edge of low fog or cloud 

 banks, and with a few vertical rays feebly- 

 vibrating. 



Last evening Dr. Walker called me to witness 

 his success with the electrometer. The electric 

 current was so very weak that the gold-leaves 

 diverged at regular intervals of four or five 

 seconds. Some hours afterwards it was strong 

 enough to Iceep them diverged. ' ' 



1\8t. — Mid-winter day. Out of the Arctic 

 regions it is better known as the shortest day. 

 At noon we could just read type similar to the 

 leading article of the ' Times.' Few people could 

 read more than two or three lines without their 

 eyes aching. 



27#A. — Our Christmas was a very cheerful 

 merry one. The men were supplied with seve- 



