This singular and curious phenomenon, which is occasionally seen
near the Bay of Naples, and which is nearly allied to the _mirage_,
so well known in the east, was observed in Huntingdonshire, during
the late hot weather. The sun was shining in a cloudless sky, and
the light vapours arising from the river Ouze, were hovering over
a little hill, near St. Noet's when suddenly the village of Great
Paxton, its farm-houses, barns, dispersed cottages, and indeed the
whole of its beautiful and picturesque scenery were distinctly
visible in these vapours, forming a splendid aerial picture, which
extended from east to west for several hundred yards. This natural
panorama lasted for about ten minutes, and was visible from a
neighbouring declivity, about half a mile from Great Paxton.