40 On Electrical Phenomena observed at Sea , 
den cry of St Elmo and St Ann, was heard from those aloft, 
and fore and aft the deck. An interpreter called lustily down 
the hatchway, that St Elmo was on board, and desired me to 
come up. A few steps were sufficient, and, to my great sur- 
prise, I found the topsail-yards deserted, the sails loose, and 
beating in the inconstant breeze,, the awe-struck and religious 
mariners, bare-headed, on their kneek, with hands uplifted, in 
voice and attitude of prayer, in earnest and muttering devotion 
to St Elmo or St Ann, according to the provincial nature of 
their speech. 
On observing the appearance of the masts, the main-top-gal- 
lant-mast-head, from the truck, for three feet down, was per- 
fectly enveloped in a cold blaze of pale phosphorous-looking 
light, completely embracing the circumference of the mast, and 
attended with a flitting or creeping motion, as exemplified ex- 
perimentally by the application of common phosphorus upon a 
board ; and the fore and mizen top-gallant-mast-heads exhibited 
a similar appearance in a relative degree. 
This curious illumination continued with undiminished inten- 
sity for the space of eight or ten minutes, when, becoming gra- 
dually fainter and less extensive, it finally disappeared, after a 
•duration of not less than half-an-hour. 
The seamen, in the mean time, having finished their devo- 
tions, and observing the lights to remain stationary, returned 
promptly to the yards, and, under favour of this “ Spirit of 
the Storm, ” now quickly performed that duty, which, on a 
critical conjuncture, had been abandoned, under the influence 
of their superstition and their fears. During the prevalence of 
the lights, as well as through the remaining hours of night, 
the wind continued, except in occasional puffs, light and vari- 
able ; and the morning ushered in with a clear sky, a hot sun, 
and a light southerly breeze, which, in due time, brought us 
safe to the anchorage of Palma. 
Conversing with the interpreter on the nature of this extra- 
ordinary atmospherical phenomenon, he expressed his implicit 
belief that it was provided by the immediate power of St Elmo, 
the tutelar deity of <c those who travel on the vasty deep,” in 
regard to their interests in a moment of sudden danger ; and 
used every argument to persuade me, that the present safety of 
