however, formed the southern boundary to this part of the display)
became the scene of a class of appearances, differing, indeed,
essentially, in their forms, from those in the horizon, but closely
connected, as it may be believed, with all the materials, and all the
movements, of these latter. The zenith, at that hour, was cloudless,
and resplendent with stars, and the air was freshened by a gentle
breeze from the south. Between the earth and the stars above, there
was no apparent intervening vapour, and nothing, therefore, save
that atmospherical fluid which eludes the sight. But, through that
medium, if such only it was, coruscations were now continually
shooting, of which the appearance was, that it overspread this
portion of the vault of heaven with an ever-shaken [p394] sheet
of thin, gauzy, white, or yellowish-white, and nebulous, or cloudy
matter. To the writer, this superior portion of the Aurora, though
not the most lustrous, and, therefore, not the most striking of the
whole, was yet by no means the least interesting and inviting to
attention; for, here, as its appeared to him, the _material_ and the
manner of operation of the meteor were brought nearer to the eye,
and exhibited with such a back-ground (the starry heavens) as gave a
transparent view of the same matter as that, which, (as he thought,)
seen vertically, and in the horizon, appeared comparatively, at
least, opaque. The transparent medium, however, above, through which,
even when shook or vibrating, and even when whitened with light,
the stars were always seen in more or less brightness, was now in
continual motion; or, meteoric light or matter was continually,
though irregularly, and as it were, playfully shot through it. The
illuminated substance (whether the atmospherical fluid, reflecting
the light of the meteor, or the luminous body of the meteor itself,
but probably the latter) was incessantly discovering itself in
different places; now here, now there, now bright, now dim; but far
less in a manner, or with an appearance, such to be compared with
lightning, than with such as resembled the changes of ripple upon the
bosom of a wide-spread water, when a variable breeze blows over it;
first in one part, and then in another; and now in one direction,
and the next moment in a second. Or, the canopy of heaven, at this
time, might be said to be composed of a lace or gauze bearing a
figured pattern, of which the fluttering motion continually changed
the places, or hid or re-displayed the figures represented; or the
picture, perhaps, will be more easily imagined, if conveyed in the
very appropriate language of an older hand, which, referring to
the appearances displayed in the zenith, remarks, “They break out
in places where none were seen before, skimming briskly along the
heavens; are suddenly extinguished, and leave behind a uniform dusky
track. This, again, is brilliantly illuminated in the same manner,
and as suddenly left a dull blank.” It should be understood, however,
that, at least as seen by the present writer, in this mixture of
white and blue, the blue was always the preponderating colour; or,
in other words, [p395] that, the field of the unoccupied zenith
always bore a large proportion to the space or spaces covered,
however momentarily, with light, or with the luminous substance.
For the rest, the particular mentioned in the passage which has now
been quoted, namely, that of the residue of a dusky track, after
the departure of the white light, did not, if it was there, attract
the attention of the present writer, upon the late occasion; but he
certainly, in many instances, remarked the return of the light to
the places in which it had been visible before; and this feature,
either with or without that of the continuance of a dusky track,
is possibly capable of adding some support to the general opinion
which he conceived at the moment, which all subsequent information
has still allowed him to retain, and of which he proposes to make
further use; namely, that the appearances in the zenith are only
extended exhibitions of the luminous phenomena in the horizon, or
their southern extremities, or the tops of columns projected from the
northward. He thought that, in the zenith, he saw the same material,
parcelled out, attenuated or diluted, spread thin, and, as it were,
shown with greater transparency, with that which, in thicker volume,
with more accumulated strength, intenser light, with more solid body,
and withal behind a denser mass of atmospherical vapour, arose, and
glowed, and sometimes gloomed, in the horizon. But, be this as it
may, it is, perhaps, this upper part of the exhibition, in which the
lights or streamers seem to interweave, or cross and recross each
other, to dance in and out of the area, and to indulge in motions
still more capricious or anomalous than is probably the real fact; it
is, perhaps, this upper part which has alternated, as before recalled
to view, the names and similitudes of spears, gleaming, glittering,
interposing and clashing as in battle, and of _merry dancers_, the
latter the gayer comparison of the dancing north.
* * * * *
IV. The Aurora continued to fix the attention of the writer till
between twelve and one o’clock of the morning of the 26th; and he
presumes that it continued visible till the superior light of the
rising day eclipsed its glory. The 26th was warm, but oppressed with
fog, through which the sun broke [p396] only at intervals; and,
between four and five o’clock in the evening, a small but steady
rain commenced, and continued, or rather increased in heaviness,
till after midnight. Between eleven and twelve, while it still
rained, the writer, on looking at the sky, which was covered with a
uniform mass of clouds, the writer observed, from point to point,
over the northern and southern hemispheres, a glow of ruddy light,
which he suspected, and still suspects, to have been produced by the
light of the continued Aurora, reflected by the vapour. He took the
opinion of a fellow-traveller, which coincided with his own; but it
has not come to his knowledge that any individual, himself and his
companion excepted, has formed a similar conjecture—nor, indeed,
is it impossible that it was no more than the light of the hidden
moon. The night of the 27th was star-light, though with fog near the
surface; and there was then no appearance of an Aurora. The night
of the 28th was remarkably clear, and there was still no return of
the Aurora. The morning of the 29th was warm, with continued and
heavy rain; but, after this, there succeeded a week or more of clear
and dry weather; and these united particulars close the history of
the phenomenon, as far as belong to the personal observation of the
writer. The direction of the winds, and the state of the barometer
and thermometer, were of the same general description, during many
days subsequent to the appearance of the Aurora on the 25th, as
that which had belonged to them from the 20th, and almost for many
days before, and of which the particulars have been stated above;
and these remarks may merit record, as connected with the question
of the ordinary duration of the Aurora, and of the weather by which
it may be thought produced, or which it may be thought to bring. In
many instances, it has been observed, even in its splendour, and
even in southern latitudes, for several nights in succession; and
an influence upon the weather has likewise been expected from its
appearance. Upon this occasion, there was no remarkable change in
the latter till the night of the fourteenth day after the Aurora
(October 10th), when there occurred a violent gale of wind from
the south-west, accompanied with loud thunder, and the most vivid
lightning; subsequently to which, as usual, [p397] the air, for a
few days, was felt to be cooler than before. It has been said, that a
gale of wind, from the south-west, is always to be looked for within
twenty-four hours after the Aurora.
* * * * *
V. The astronomical writer, already more than once mentioned,
speaking of the Aurora of the 25th of September, describes it as
“that mysterious phenomenon;” and Mr. Adams, the meteorological
correspondent of the publication referred to, records it as,
“perhaps, as conspicuous as any that has ever been seen in
England[122];” so that, assuming these impressions in both instances
to be well founded, neither the present state of science upon the one
hand, nor the specimen of the phenomenon upon the other, are such
as to discourage either of the objects of the remainder of these
pages; namely, the one to contribute, as fully as possible, to the
completion of a faithful account of the Aurora, as seen in London
upon the late occasion, by uniting, and by analysing the descriptions
that have caught already the eye of the writer; and the other, to
correct, and to enlarge if it should be practicable, the natural
history of this description of meteor, by the comparison of what has
hitherto been usually written upon the subject, either descriptively
or philosophically, as well with the results of the late actual
observations, as with the several facts or opinions more anciently
registered. According to some, the interval which had elapsed, since
an equal or a superior display of this phenomenon was witnessed in
London, is twenty-four years, and, according to others, thirty-six;
nor is the scanty list of examples scientifically recorded, at all
inconsistent, from the wide separation, as well as irregularity
of its dates, with such a view of the infrequency and uncertainty
of any considerable appearance in other southern latitudes. The
opportunity, therefore, now offered, ought not, perhaps, to be
neglected; and the writer is not wholly without the prospect, that,
upon a re-examination, both of opinions and facts, some safe and
inevitable conclusions may be elicited, both as to the history
and the theory of the meteor, hitherto, the one hastily received,
[p398] and the other negligently overlooked, or unwarrantably
contradicted. The paragraphs, then, which immediately follow, will
connect and review the accounts of the writer’s fellow-observer of
the 25th of September; while those which succeed will be devoted to
a brief enumeration of statements already recorded in books; though,
to a certain extent, both these paths will involve us in mixed
investigations, historical and theoretical.
1. “It first appeared,” says Mr. Adams, who dates from Edmonton, in
Middlesex, “about eight o’clock in the evening, as a strong white
light, much resembling the approach of sunrise; and so continued till
a short time after eleven, when a considerable number of dark clouds
collected toward the north and north-west, and several streaks of a
pale white light were seen proceeding from the clouds, and reaching
nearly to the zenith. But the most remarkable part of the phenomenon
was exhibited in a N.N.E. direction, where, at about 30° above the
horizon, was a small dense cloud, above which was a broad streak
curved, and about 10° in length, varying in colour from a deep copper
hue to a red.” “From this,” continues Mr. Adams, “the coruscations
were incessant, and remarkably bright, darting frequently to the
zenith, where they were frequently crossed by others equally bright
and numerous, proceeding from the west toward the east.”
2. The astronomical writer, who dates from Deptford, describes
the phenomenon as commencing at a quarter past eight o’clock, and
travelling, from west and north-west, to north-east; and the streaks,
or streamers, or, as he denominates them, the flashes, “converging
to the zenith,” and “coruscating with great velocity.” He also
particularises the peculiar appearance of “a streak or column of a
phosphorescent violet tinge;” and adds, “The _two_ red beams of
light, seen in the _easterly_ and _westerly_ direction [directions],
were diametrically opposite to each other, and ninety degrees distant
from the violet light (by far the most luminous, though comparatively
quiescent) which was to the west of north, _and therefore could not
be far from the magnetic meridian_, which would be crossed at right
angles by a line joining the places of the red beams. The southern
edges of these were accurately defined, not blending with the
adjacent azure, but most distinct from it, and [p399] perpendicular
to the horizon.” Finally, this gentleman speaks of the general
luminous aspect, as “much resembling the tail of a comet,” and says,
that Ursa Major, and other stars, were visible through its medium;
that three meteoric stars also appeared, during the phenomenon, in
the east and north-east; and that the entire horizon was obscured by
dark, heavy clouds, from three to five degrees in height[123].
3. Besides these observers, two or three others, if not many more,
less scientific, perhaps, but yet entitled to attention, have
communicated to different newspapers their accounts of the same
phenomena. “The metropolis,” says one of these, “was surprised on
Tuesday night by a brilliant display of Northern Lights, which but
very seldom stray so far south. The last which we beheld in London
were in the autumn of 1804, about the end of September, or beginning
of October; and the fancied prodigy filled all the superstitious
heads, at the time, with fearful prognostics, and loosened the
tongues of a hundred prophets. The spectacle, then, was truly
magnificent. On Tuesday night (the 25th) the northern parts of the
heavens displayed, about eleven o’clock, so ruddy a blaze, as to
appear like the reflection of a mighty conflagration. An hour later,
the red hue was gone; but the whole horizon, from the north to the
east, was lined with _a thin cloud_, from which the rays of light
rolled, or sudden rays flashed up, and as suddenly vanished, to
appear in a different part.” “At about half past eleven o’clock,”
says a second, “my attention was attracted to a singular appearance
of light and streakiness in the sky. I observed it for nearly two
hours. The sky, to the north, was obscured, for about fifteen degrees
above the horizon, by a _dense_ stratum of black clouds; from the
upper edge of this, the light became first apparent, extending from
nearly north-east to north-west, exceeding considerably in power
that arising from the moon just previous to its rising. From this
broad stratum of pale yellowish light shot beautiful _pencils_,
of a luminous, hazy appearance, up to the very zenith, changing
momentarily in length and intensity. During this period, the wind
blew gently from the south; and I frequently observed, that when it
freshened [p400] a little, the Aurora Borealis became more brilliant
in its appearance, sending beautiful coruscations of light, in rapid
succession, towards the zenith, and frequently passing that point ten
or fifteen degrees to the southward. I have been assured, by those
who are well acquainted with this beautiful phenomenon, that they
have not seen any appearance of it equal in brilliancy and beauty
to this, for upwards of six and thirty years.” “Last night,” says a
third, “we were favoured with that interesting phenomenon, the Aurora
Borealis, or Northern Twilight, which so often amuses and cheers
our neighbours in the north, but seldom, I believe, is seen in our
latitude. It was without those varied colours,” adds this writer,
“which cause it to be a grand spectacle in those regions.” “Not
far from the horizon,” he adds, “in the northern hemisphere, were
transparent bodies of light, _eclipsing_ the brightness of the stars,
which, however, were perceptible through it. From hence, beams of
light, varying in degrees of brightness and breadth, shot up towards
the zenith; here streamers of light flew from the east to the west,
and from west to east. The southern hemisphere was cloudless, the
stars shining with brilliancy. By the light of this phenomenon, I
could discern the time of night, which was between eleven and twelve,
as well as other objects, as they appear on a moon-light night,
when the moon is obscured by clouds.” “The sky in the north,” we
are told by the fourth, “appeared as if a light shone from behind
some dark masses of clouds. As I approached Hampstead, the silvery
light was gradually tinged with rosy spiral streams, like those
which sometimes precede the rising and follow the setting sun. These
spiral red streaks did not appear to move quickly; but they were
subsequently followed by the _merry dancers_, which fully maintained
the character bestowed upon them by our northern neighbours. After
passing through Hampstead, I crossed the heath, and came down what
is called North-end Hill, to Golder’s Green, Hendon. When you arrive
at the foot of the hill, you enter upon the open part of Golder’s
Green, where you have a clear and unobstructed view of the sky from
west to north. I never shall forget the grandeur of the scene which
awaited me there. A continuous border of dark cloud skirted the
horizon completely from west to north, whilst [p401] from behind it,
incessantly and rapidly shot up the most beautiful coruscations of
white light, which, being relieved by the dark border, added double
brilliancy to the ever-shifting scene.”
* * * * *
VI. But, after transcribing these respective accounts, it may be
permitted, for the purpose of uniting them with that submitted in the
preceding pages, to remark,
1. That the account by Mr, Adams, of the appearance worn by the
Aurora at an early hour in the evening, is, no doubt, entirely
correct; and that it is easy to understand, from this description of
that early appearance, why little observation was attracted to the
phenomenon till about eleven o’clock at night, the time assigned, as
well in this, as in all the other accounts, for the commencement of
the phenomenon.
2. That the “streaks of a pale white light,” which Mr. Adams
describes as proceeding, a short time after eleven, “_from_ the
clouds,” must be understood, as stated by the writer last quoted, as
proceeding “_from behind_ the clouds;” that, when the astronomical
writer at Deptford speaks of Ursa Major and other stars being seen
through the Aurora, it must be recollected, that, perhaps, this
remark should apply to the medium of the thin and shifting lights in
or near the zenith; and,
3. That it is with respect to the “broad streak, curved,” of Mr.
Adams; the “_two_ red beams of light,” of the astronomical observer
at Deptford; and the “arch” of the present description, that the
principal, if not only discordance obtains. Neither of the other
three writers appears to have seen any thing, whether of one “broad
streak, curved,” and “varying in colour from a deep copper hue to a
red,” or of “_two_ red beams,” as spoken by the writer at Deptford;
while, in each of the three accounts in which that part of the
phenomenon is actually referred to, the descriptions are materially
dissimilar:—
1. The writer at Edmonton mentions only a single streak, while the
writer at Deptford speaks of _two_.
2. The writer at Edmonton describes his single streak as curved,
while the writer at Deptford says nothing of curvature; and, in
describing the position of the beams as “perpendicular to the
horizon,” may seem to leave no curvature to be understood. [p402]
3. The writer at Edmonton seems to lift his “broad curved streak”
much above the horizon; for he first places a small dense cloud 30°
above the horizon, and, then, his broad streak above the cloud;
thus describing a curve of which the situation was near the zenith,
while the writer at Deptford is describing “two red beams,” standing
perpendicularly to the horizon.
4. The writer at Edmonton places his “broad streak, curved,” “in a
N.N.E. direction;” while the writer at Deptford records “two red
beams of light, seen in the easterly and westerly direction.” Lastly,
5. The writer at Edmonton seems to make coruscations, “incessant and
remarkably bright,” dart from his “broad streak, curved;” while the
writer at Deptford seems only anxious to place his “two red beams,”
as perpendicular pillars, standing on either side of the _magnetic
meridian_.
* * * * *
VII. And, from the whole of this, from the total silence of four
accounts, and from the extreme discordance of the other three, the
present writer presumes to draw the following inferences, including
that of the accuracy of his own original statement:
1. That the two perpendicular red beams of light, of the writer
at Deptford, should be joined with broad curved streaks of a deep
copper, or red hue, of the writer at Edmonton, to complete the _arch_
which has been spoken of in the foregoing pages.
2. That this _arch_, or curved streak, with its feet east and west,
sent forth no coruscations itself; but that the coruscations rose
beneath it, and passed above it.
3. That it was described upon the clouds only; was no part of
the Aurora; and, from its connexion with the clouds only, had
an evanescence which, on the one hand, was the cause of the
various descriptions, and, on the other, of no descriptions at
all. The present writer observed this part of the phenomenon from
its beginning to its ending. He saw it rise in the west, extend
itself from the north, and descend in the east; and he thinks it
reasonable to ascribe the variations concerning it, in the coincident
narratives, to the different points of time to which alone they
really refer. The writers at Edmonton [p403] and Deptford seem to
have had their attention fixed upon it at different epochs of its
progress; and all the four other writers, who have been cited, seem
to speak of a time subsequent to its disappearance. The present
writer does not recollect the small cloud below it, spoken of by
Mr. Adams; but he well remembers the clouds above it, and along and
near the northern edge of which it seems to be formed. He does not
recollect seeing its definite _southern_ outline contrasted with the
azure sky; but he well remembers seeing that outline contrasted with
the dark clouds above it, or to its southward; and also the contrast
of its definite, _northern_ outline, as contrasted with the azure sky
beneath.
* * * * *
VIII. It is necessary to take notice, also, of what is said above,
by the astronomical observer at Deptford, as to the “flashes
converging to the zenith,” and, further, of the omission, both by
this writer and by Mr. Adams, to speak of the curved beam, streamer,
or coruscation, to the east of north, as described above. The whole
veracity of the foregoing description depends upon the denial
of a uniform convergence of the streamers, pillars, columns, or
coruscations toward the zenith; nor was it, in all probability, the
intention of the writer at Deptford, to assert any such convergence,
but only to speak of those coruscations, or shifting lights, in the
zenith, which are described by Mr. Adams as crossing each other from
east to west. It is remarkable, at the same time, that neither the
one nor the other of these writers have mentioned that direct reverse
of convergence which marked the general figure and arrangement of
the streamers or columns of the Aurora, and which was so opposite to
what would have been given to it by the phenomenon of convergence.
Indeed, the violent curve of the extreme column to the N. E. or N.
N. E., shrouded, too, as that column was with a body of dense vapour
through which its light appeared of a deep and dull red colour, might
make the description of this itself answer to the “broad streak,
curved,” of Mr. Adams, if we were not certain, from other particulars
mentioned, that Mr. Adams really refers to the curve which formed
part of the _arch_. For the rest, no mention of the real directions
of the several columns having been made by any observer of the Aurora
of the 25th [p404] of September but himself, and especially none of
the outward curve of the easternmost column, it is satisfactory to
the writer to have found an account of an appearance similar to this
last, in an Aurora of which he will presently have occasion to speak.
* * * * *