Great Aurora of 1859. 265 
I found a display which would have been considered more than 
tdinary even in the latitude of New York. It resembled the 
auroral displays occasionally seen in New York when more than 
_ usually brilliant. The same rosy light, on a darker horizon, 
fading off into yellower and whiter as it spread upwards, varie- 
ed occasionally with white streamers. It extended horizon- 
ally, according to my rough estimate, about one-third or two- 
“ilths of the horizon, and upwards about two-fifths of the arch 
ofthe visible heavens. It was a very brilliant display, and sur- 
- Prised me much by its brilliancy in that latitude. 
29. Observations at Kingston, Jamaica (lat. 17° 58’), from the 
New York Herald. 
An extraordinary light appeared in the north on the night of 
Sept. Ist and the morning of Sept. 2d. It appeared as if there 
_ Was a colossal fire on earth which reflected its flames on the 
havens. The whole island was illuminated. The light was 
_ Sen at Montego Bay (lat. 18° 21’) at 10 P. m., but it was not ob- 
sud at Kingston until 1 a. mM. Sept. 2. It continued until 5 
a AM, when it gradually disappeared. It looked as if Cuba was 
_ Stare, and many believe that a portion of this island had been 
: destroyed. by a conflagration. Other persons were of opinion 
_ thatthe light was that of an aurora, but the aurora has never 
re been seen in this latitude. A similar fire was observed 
® the north side of Jamaica Aug. 28th. 
8 Observations at Guadeloupe, West Indies (lat. 16° 12"), from 
. DT Institut. 
‘ _* 2d of September, from 14" till daylight, an Aurora 
: Was seen at Guadeloupe to the great astonishment o 
€ pulation. Its ruddy light was noticeable in the interior 
ile houses, At the centre of this vast conflagration were 
itt two rays of whitish light which rose parallel to each 
- ttaineh “SSNs a little to the left of the pole star. The aurora 
its maximum of brightness at 8 A. M. 
2 Observations at La Union, \San Salvador (lat. 18° 18’), from 
2 the Gaceta del Estado. 
: the night of Sept. 2d, a most extraordin henomenon 
"2s Witnessed, About 2 o'clock, a red ‘ight illuminated all 
: i from north to west, to an elevation of about 30° above 
tobe 22: The light was equal to that of day-break, but was 
4 Sufficient to eclipse the light of the stars. ‘The sea reflected 
iy fone and appeared as if of blood. This lasted until three 
: commenced ve when a dense black woe arose = ee re and 
af spread over the colored portion of the heavens, 
“00ND SERIES, vac XXIx, dig pe : 
) 
86,—MARCH, 1860. 
