Notice of the late Aurora Borealis. 95 



"During the whole time this phenomenon was seen, the north- 

 ern part of the hemisphere continued calm, developing the vivid 

 displays of the Aurora Borealis, which are sometimes seen in the 

 high latitudes, and described in the Encyclopedia; but the ri- 

 sing of the light from the south, was to me perfectly novel. It 

 was also remarkable that occasionally the flakes of light would 

 shoot across the heavens in a large angular direction, from be- 

 tween the N. W. and N. E., so as to unite with the exhalations 

 which continually arose from the southward, and a perceptible 

 impetus was given to the rapidity of the circular motions, while 

 the additional light was almost immediately concealed behind the 

 dense clouds, which in the south gradually accumulated." 



In Massachusetts, its appearance at Boston, Salem, New- 

 buryport, Williamstown, and elesewhere was not materially 

 different, from that at this city. The same was the fact at 

 Providence, Taunton, Pawtucket, &c. 



In New Haven, Con. it presented the same appearance, 

 and was accompanied by reports, which increased in fre- 

 quency, and distinctness, with the dartings of the Aurora. 

 These reports were noticed by some gentlemen of the Fac- 

 ulty of Yale College, who were making observations upon 

 the phenomena at the time. 



At Philadelphia the bow appeared as in this city, the same 

 was the fact at Norfolk. 



At Baltimore the arch was not as distinct and perfectly 

 formed as here, but resembled rather a line of comets, which 

 soon disappeared. 



I perceive by the English papers, that the coruscations of 

 the Aurora have been singularly splendid during the present 

 season in that country, the following is extracted from a 

 Scotch paper dated (I believe,) some time in the month of 

 August, and notices, as will be seen, a similar occurrence to 

 that in this country, of the 28th of the same month. 



From the Perth {Scotland) Courier. 



"One of the most brilliant and picturesque appearances of the 

 Aurora Borealis ever seen in this quarter, exhibited itself on the 

 evening of Monday last. The coruscations were very rapid and 

 transparent, and overspread nearly the whole northern hemis- 

 phere. Some of the flashes were almost vertical, and latterly 

 they resembled in clearness and motion the undulations of a 

 bright flame. At one time the meteors formed themselves into 

 a narrow belt, crossing the heavens from east to west," 



