The Sun.
London, England, 1834-09-04 00:00:00

SCENIC PHENOMENA IN GLENCO.

The phenomena produced by dense vapour clouds, or
rather fogs, floating slowly over a lofty ridge of serrated
rocks, fractured and worn into all kinds of shapes, are
among the most extraordinary that can be presented to the
wondering eye. They are seen to advantage in the middle
regions of the Alps—above the boundary of vegetation, but
below that of glacier and snow—namely, in the sombre
zone of desolation and naked rock. They appeared in as
great perfection in the valley of Gleneo, as in the vicinity
of Chamouni. A particular condition of atmosphere is
necessary for their production. The clouds must be low,
and the breeze must be light. The scene is incapable of
being represented by the most skilful pencil, since its cha-
racteristic feature is incessant change. The painter might
as well attempt to fix and embody in one picture, the inter.
mingling mutations of a magic lantern, as the fluctuating
forms of this MOUNTAIN MIRAGE. It would have afforded
excellent materials for the descriptive powers of a Byron or
a Radcliffe ; but they either never witnessed it, or forgot to
notice it. Standing on the banks of the Cona, we behold,
on each side, an expensive veil of vapour, a'curtain of white
cloud, rising to a great height in the air, or blending with
the dense and gloomy atmosphere overhead. The veil or
curtain appears to be motionless at first ; but presently one
or several dark spots are seen to stud the surface of the
snowy drapery. They darken and enlarge, till they assume
something of form and shape ; but not like anything into
which even the fancy could convert them, as objects hitherto
known. In this stage, the whole diorama is sometimes sud-
denly or slowly veiled from our sight, and the scene is again
to be renewed. But more frequently another and more
striking metamorphosis takes place. The shadowy forms of
things unknown begin to take on, not only definite shapes
of their own, but the outlines of almost everything which a
retentive memory can recall, or the most fertile imagination
invent. At one moment we have before us, in the air, a
gloomy castle, or a frowning fortress, with moats and
mounds, towers and keeps, battlements and banners. But
a slight difference in the depth or density of the vapoury
medium, through which the objects loom, will give rise to
the most singular optical illusions. The castle or fort
changes into a mouldering ruin, a lofty ship under all sail,
a huge pyramid, or a magnificent temple. Suddenly a
breeze of wind sweeps along the valley—the figures become
all confused by the rolling of the vapours—the curtain
draws up, and we find ourselves in a narrow valley, by the
side of a small stream, and surrounded by wild, barren, and
fractured precipices ! Every one has witnessed the simili-
tudes and metamorphoses presented by ranges of fantastic
clouds along the western horizon, on a summer's evening.
The mirage of the mountain exhibits somewhat similar illu-
sions, but they are of a wilder and more imposing nature.
The silence and the solitude of Glenco—where no voice of

living creature is heard—where no figure or habitation of
man or animal is seen (saving the eagle soaring in the air),
add greatly to the effect of the scene, and excite rumina•
tions in the mind of the most thoughtless traveller.—
Recess, or Autumnal Torn•.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, SEPT. 2.
The demand for cotton continues languid ; to-day's sales are
1,500 bags, chiefly American descriptions, without change in
prices.

Loss OF THE CAMELEON.—She lies about the
same spot where she went down, almost immediately opposite
the yard where she was built, in about eleven or twelve fa.
thorns water, at the distance of two miles from the shore,
where a buoy has been put down with a small Dutch flag float-
ing above high-water mark, to denote that there is danger to
vessels going near the. spot. Boats are continually going:
round her, but the weather has been too rough to attempt to
weigh her, even if the lighters were here. On the morning
the accident occurred, the frigate's people were washing
down the decks, and coming along at a good spanking
pace ; the cutter's people had been reeffing the mainsail, after
coming frOm Dungeness, and had all gone to rest except
four or five. The chief mate of the cutter having caught
sight of the frigate, and seeing that the sails would not
fill, ran below to ask, the Commander what he should do,
when, before he could receive an answer, the frigate struck
her on her starboard side, and after making one lurch she went
down like a stone. It is not true, as some of the papers have
not happen to be
ees
stated, that the cutter was cut in two, or that the Lieutenant
in command of the frigate was arrested and taken to the Ad-
amniyralAidnmtihrael.Do sTv nhse, as,pe
people efa savedct,
thre
were does
sent to the inspecting
Commander of the Custom House service, to be examined on,
the affair, and there is little doubt that when the bodies are
'
found a strict investigation will take place before the Coroner.
It is not a little remarkable that the Canit, 1 • '
eon was m danger
of being lost on the day she was launched ( Sunday); for,
being so extremely buoyant, and it co • ming on to blow hard,
two or three great boats went out and took her in tow and car.
rigid her to Ramsgate harbour,. for which they were paid 501.
—Kentish Gazette.