418 
RECOLLECTIONS OF A JQUENEY 
Shortly after sun-set the rapid transition of the clouds 
became greatly moderated. By midnight they had sub- 
sided to the lower strata of the atmosphere, and appeared 
to be lying on the surface of the earth. The moon shone 
bright, by which means we had a magnificent view of the 
upper surface of a dense stratum of white fleecy cloud. It 
is impossible to convey in words the grandeur of this scene. 
The surface of the earth was overspread with a covering 
resembling the finest white down, through which many 
dark-coloured mountains and cliffs projected. Could we 
conceive a white sea studded over with islands extremely 
various in size and figure, a faint idea might be entertained 
of the prospect from the Peak during the night. 
The clouds continued to rest undisturbed on the bosom 
of the earth until a little after six o'clock. For some time 
before sun-rise, the sky towards the east had a bright 
flame-colour, indicative of the approach of day. The sun 
burst forth suddenly in all his glory : not a cloud inter- 
vened to dim his splendour. Immediately after the rising 
of the sun, the shadow of the Peak appeared like an im- 
mense cone or triangle standing at the edge of the western 
horizon. In a few minutes the base of the shadow ap- 
proached the foot of the mountain. Soon after the appear- 
ance of the sun, light and floating vapours began to rise 
from the upper surface of the clouds, which were quickly 
dissolved in the superincumbent stratum of transparent air. 
The elevation and dissipation of the vapours increased as 
the sun approached the meridian. 
The temperature of the air in the shade varied during 
day from 64^ to 68^ 
At 8 p. M. it was - - - - 57° 
9 p. M. ----- - 55^ 
1 A. M. - - - - = . 53 
3 a.m. ^ ..... 51\ 
■6 A= M. - - » ^ » - 55 
