The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-29 00:00:00

29, 1851.

St. Peal's many coetemplated the spectacle, hilst others
a the eit:zeus, aeerse to extravagance, availed theai-
selves of Tower-hill, as an aceessioa situation, combiu-
log general economy with its local advantagea.
At Highgate, es elsev,-here, the re was scarcely a per-
ceptible ehang-a in the appearance of the day throughout
the whole period of the duration 0/ the eclipse. A
slight darkness did, it is true, come on about ten minutes
before three, and lasted some thirty or forty minutes,
but so trivial was the amount of additional obscurity,
that but for the knowledge that the sun's disc was at
that time actuilly bring eclipsed, we venture to say
that the change would have passed almost, if not en-
tirely, unnoticed by unscientific eyes. The weather for
some time previously had threatened rain, while sombre
masses of clouds of various forms and hues slowly
drifted up, until the whole face of the sky was more or
less covered, and a dense mist, as the rain continued at
intervals to fall, gradually occupied the lower districts.
About the time of the commencement of the phenomenon
a slight degree of sultriness was apparent, which, how-
ever, was succeeded in about thirty minattes by a de-
cided fall in the temperature. The only peculiarity in
the appearance of the sky was a vast cloud running for
many miles perfectly parallel to the horizon, and at no
great elevation, the sharply defined and lurid outline of
which strongly contrasted with the narrow strip of light
grey vapour of corresponding extent.
In Manchester and other parts of the country, from
which we have accounts, the phenomenon proved to be
comparatively a failure, through the inauspiciousness of
the weather. At the time of the junction of the shadow
with the sun's disc, rain fell in a deluge, and the heavens
were overcast for a considerable time. The sun was
subsequently seen when the shadow had passed a con-
siderable space over the face of the orb, but Electing
clouds of darkness soon intercepted the vision, and it wasg
but seldom it appeared for more than a minute without
some untoward interruption. At the period cf the close
of the phenomenon the sky was quite overcast, and not
a vestige of the sun was to be seen. There was no dark-
ness beyond that which was caused by the threatening
clouds.
Beyond these atmospheric appearances there was no-
thing to indicate to the unaided vision that one of the
most singular results of the laws that govern the bodies
composing our solar system was at that moment being
produced. In fact, the whole spectacle, if such it might
be termed when so little was to be seen, was provok-
ingly deficient in all that was marvellous or even
striking. No sign of anything unusual iu the economy
of the heavenly bodies was visible from the locality we
have mentioned, save at about twenty minutes before four
o'clock, when a faint glimmering in the sky exhibited for
a moment the sun's pale and watery disc, shorn of half
his size end all his splendour; but in another instant the
clouds again closed over it, and remorselessly denied a
second glimpse. How it happened that, in spite of the
haziness and clouds, which would of themselves tend to
obstruct the sun's rays, and thus increase the darkness
arising from any other source, the obscuration of
82-100ths, or nearly 9-10ths of its surface, assuming the
correctness of the calculation, should have produced so
inconsiderable a diminution of light, is a problem which
we will not attempt to solve.
Last evening, at the Polytechnic Institution, Dr. Bach-
hoffner repeated the interesting and instructive lecture
on the solar eclipse which he has lately delivered at this
institution, combining therewith the result of his actual
observations during its progress. Ho stated that he had
been unable to observe it with any degree of aecuracy
for more than a few moments at brief intervals, before
the highest degree of obscuration had been attained—in
this respect being no more fortunate than less scientific,
though, doubtless, equally curious spectators. The num-
ber of his auditors, and the attention with which the
lecture was listened to, betokened the interest felt in the
subject, despite the untoward circumstances which had
attended its development.
A lecture, accompanied by illuminated diagrams illus-
trative of the expected appearance of the eclipse, was
delivered by Major Parlay, at the Gallery of Arts,
Sloane-street, where arrangements were made for view-
ing its progress, after the lecture, in the garden at the
rear of the house, through a telescope stationed there for
the accommodation of the auditory. After what we have
stated, however, it is needless to mention that the effect
of the arrangement was almost neutralized by the adrerse
skyey influences above referred to. Nevertheless,
at times, for a few moments, the shadow of
the intervening body was clearly defined through the
fast-moving clouds that passed over the sun's face,
sufficient to give a correct though fleeting idea of the
effect actually produced. These fitful appearances, it
should be stated, occurred prior to the greatest degree
of obscuration being reached, for, after that period, the
darkening clouds presented an impenetrable barrier to
further observation until nearly the (doze of the phe-
nomenon. Notwithstanding the obstacles which have
marred the success of home-observation, there cart be
no doubt, from the careful arrangements that have been
adopted by numerous sevens, British and foreign, who
either reside in, or have purposely visited the reld.ons
where the eclipse will be fully visible, that we shall
speedily receive the fullest and most accurate descrip-
tion of its attendant phenomena that science can furnish.
-Chronicle.

COURT CIRCULAR.

OSBORNE, MONDAY.

Her Majesty, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, with
the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended Divine service
yesterday morning at Whippingham Church.
The usual suite was in attendance on the Queen and
Prince, and Lady Augusta Bruce, Lady in Waiting in
attendance on her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent.
The service was performed by the Hon. and Rev. F.
P. Bouvcric. _ _ _

Sir James Clark arrived in the afternoon from London.

Earl Granville remained on a visit, and had the honour,
with Sir James Clark, of being included in the Royal
party at dinner.

Mr. Lemaitro had an interview with Lord John Rus-
sell yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
Earl Granville arrived in town yesterday from Osborne.
The Marquis of Lansdowne returned to town yester-
day.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office irom the governors of the North American colonies.