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Lieut. J. HerschePs Account of the [Nov. 19, 



arranged in two distinct strata, the lower one containing masses hurrying 

 past with the monsoon-current at no great height, the upper consisting of 

 light, thinly scattered cirri showing very little motion. It is conceivable 

 that the latter may have been obstinately interposed until the time when I 

 remarked the recorded brilliancy; but I cannot say that I should be satisfied 

 with such an explanation. 



Whiteness of the Crescent. — I also remarked that the whiteness of the 

 crescent, as seen in the finder, was apparently intensified as it grew narrower. 

 Possibly this was the effect of contrast with the darkening background ; for 

 at this time I began to be annoyed by the appearance of five or six phantom 

 crescents, which seemed to be trying to rival the legitimate one. I imagine I 

 was indebted to the dark glass for these apparitions ; but whatever called 

 them up, they most effectually confused the view of the closing scene ; 

 whatever might otherwise have been seen at this stage was swamped in 

 the confusion. 



30. Restlessness during approach of shadow. 

 Up to within about ten minutes of totality I was every now and then out- 

 side watching progress through one or the other of two smaller telescopes 

 of moderate power, one of which I had borrowed from the chief, who in- 

 dulges a taste for the possession of English manufactures to an extraordi- 

 nary degree. I noticed no marked inequalities of surface in the advancing 

 limb, nor any bluntness of the cusps : but I must allow that I was not in 

 a sufficiently composed state of mind to observe critically anything not 

 bearing directly on the special problem before me. I was impressed with 

 a notion that everything must be subordinated, in my case, to the requisite 

 freedom of attention when totality commenced, and was specially anxious 

 to save my eyesight. I studiously avoided looking at the sun except under 

 cover of a cloud ; and though I had provided the telescopes with gradu- 

 ated smoked glasses, I was nervously afraid to look through them too 

 long or too intently — all which can only be understood by referring to what 

 has been said about the absence of any foreknowledge of the impending 

 revelation. My last view of external appearances showed nothing very 

 striking — a few deeply neutral-tinted patches of sky in the zenith, and an 

 increasing gloominess in all directions, being all the phenomena whose im- 

 pression has outlived the excitement of the shortlived minutes which 

 ensued. I reentered the observatory, and retired behind my black curtain 

 to watch the event. 



31. Gentlemen, I have thus far endeavoured to lay before you, as far as 

 possible, in an orderly manner, an outline of the preliminary arrange- 

 ments for the employment of your Society's instruments, and a sketch of my 

 proceedings up to the hour of the eclipse. If in so doing I have been un- 

 necessarily tedious, I would ask you to remember that these few pages but 

 faintly represent the months of anxious study and preparation which have 

 passed since I accepted the responsibility involved in the charge of an ex- 



