The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-11 00:00:00

than five or six. (During the approaching
eclipse the sun will be situate in Cancer, the
brightest stars in his vicinity being Castor, Pollux,
Capella, and Regulus; the planet Venus will be 18 de-
grees distant from the sun towards the west, Mercury
about 15 degrees eastward and a little south, Jupiter
east of the meridian and 3 degrees below the equator,
and Mars near the western horizon). It is recorded by
historians, that during the total eclipse of Agathocles,
B.C. 310, the stars appeared in every direction, and in
describing the famous eclipse of B.C. 610, which put an
end to the war between the Kings of Medea and Lydia,
and is said to have been predicted by Thales, Herodo.
tus says, " the day was turned into night." The
heavens, as the totality approaches, assume a dull
sombre aspect, the azure blue of the sky becomes livid
or purplish, and occasionally broad bauds of red or
orange light appear near the horizon. This change
in the colour of the heavens is perceptible when
the eclipsed portion of the sun amounts to eight
digits, and was noticed as early as A.D. 840.
The figures of persons near the observer gradually as-
sume a pale, cadaverous aspect, or on some occasions
become olive-greet. At Cremona, in 1842, the whole
landscape appeared as though it were illuminated by a
" Bengal light, and in other places objects put on first
a greenish tinge, which
subsequently changed to
.saffron, violet, or purple, as the obscurity grew
deeper. The unaatural appearance of human figures
in a fact particularly mentioned by those who wit•
nessed the last eclipse iu Europe, as tending to excite
the most painful impressions; one writer compares the
effect to that produced by. burning spirits of wine. M.
Arago states that at Perpignan, in the south of France,
nearly 20,000 persons turned out to observe the total
eclipse of July, 1842, notwithstanding the early hour
of the morning at which the phenomenon occurred.
At Milan, Turin, Padua, and other places within
the moon's shadow, the enthusiasm was equally great.
The streets of Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands,
were covered with pieces of smoked glass after the
of August, 1850—a fact contrasting strikingly
sthe alarm produced in Paris by the mere announce •
eciltihp
e
with
of a total eclipse in 1654, when, as M. Arago
states, numbers sought protection in caves. The sudden
silence that prevailed amongst the vast multitudes col-
lected in the populous cities of Southern France and
Italy in 1842, as the last ray of the sun vanished, and the
universal shout of welcome with which his re-appearance
was greeted, have been well described by the French phi-
losopher. The effects of a total eclipse upon the animal i
creation are very curious. In 1842 horses came to a
sudden stand-still, and neither whip nor goad would
induce them to move. Oxen in the fields arrayed
themselves in a circle, back to back, or with their
horns outwards, as to resist an attack. Dogs fled for
refuge to their masters, howling piteously during the
continuance of the darkness. A hen surrounded by her
chickens hastily collected them under her wings. Birds
fell upon the ground apparently dead from fright, or
perished by dashing themselves against the walls and
chimneys. At Venice swallows were readily taken in
the streets, fear having deprived them of the power of
escape. Owls and bats made their appearance, but
quickly retreated when the eclipse was over. Bees,
which had left their hives in great numbers at sunrise,
returned until the darkness ceased, and a swarm of ants
was seen to stop suddenly on their march. Delicate
plants, as the convolvulus, mimosa, &c., closed
their leaves. In short, from past experience, there
can be no doubt that the naturalist will find much to
interest him in the approaching eclipse as well as the
astronomer, and it is very possible that even in this
country, where the eclipse will be very large, though
not total, some of the above phenomena may be wit-
nessed. The thermometer in the shade is not usually
much affected, though to the senses there is a chill,
damp feeling in the air. At Perpignan, during the last
eclipse, there was a heavy dew, which fell in small drops
from the trees.

Great preparations have been made for securing
proper observations on the 28th of the present month.
English, French, and American astronomers will locate
themselves at various points in Sweden and Norway.
The Russian Government have equipped six stations,
with three observers at each; and the Prussian astro-
nomers will arrange themselves at different places
near the shores of the Baltic. If the weather prove
favourable, we may expect observations along the whole
course of the moon's shadow, from the western coast
of Norway, where it enters Europe, to the Sea of
Azov. The results can hardly fail to improve our
knowledge of the physical constitution of the sun, with
which the corona and red flames appear to be connected.
A very fair idea of the nature of these phenomena may
be obtained from the diagrams exhibiting at the Poly-
technic Institution, which, with the accompanying de-
scription, as evincing the care taken to present faithful
views of scientific subjects to the public, reflect much
credit on the parties concerned,—l remain, Sir, your
most obedient servant, J. R. BIND.
July 9.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
CALEDONIAN GUARANTEED.
Meetings of the various guaranteed interests were
held in Glasgow on Thursday, finally to consider and
determine in regard to the Caledonian Railway Amend-
ment Bill, which has passed the Commons, and is now
proposed to be introduced to the House of Lords.
At the meeting of the Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Cost-
bridge Company Mr. A. Baird was called to the chair.
The report of the committee of directors stated that
they had carefully watched over the interests of the
company in connexion with the Caledonian Arrange-
ment Bill. They bad accordingly required that in place
of any new payment of annuity being directed as
for the first time, or in lieu of the existing an-
nuity, the Act should simply confirm the present ob-
ligarien, and that in the clause respecting the lien there
should be no new lien created, but the old lien preserved.
The first of these demands was contested by the pro-
moters of the:Bill, and the second was forced on them by
Parliament. As the Bill stood it sought to legalise the
borrowing of 150,0001. over the Garnkirk, while the ori-
ginal Act only gave power to borrow to that extent, in-
clusive of the Garnkirk debt, amounting to 43,0001.,
so that by that sum there had been an over issue of de-
bentures. On the whole, considering that by the Act all
doubts as to the Garnkirk Company being creditors, and
not shareholders are effsctually resolved; that their
right to rank first of all the guaranteed interests on the
Caledonian fends is distinctly declared; the lien and
security of the shareholders in and over the Garnkirk
Railway are preserved; and a much more rapid and
effectual means of enforcing the lien is provided, with a
declaration that payment cannot be disputed on any
ground until the sum in arrear shall be consigned in
bank;--fur all these reasons the committee had no hesi-
tation in recommending that the Act should be ap-
proved of.
The clauses of the Bill were then read over, and a
short discussion followed; after which
Mr. A. ORR moved—
" That the Bill be aproved of, and that it be remitted
to the directors to prosecute the !measure in Parliament,
and agree to such amendments as might not be inconsis-
tent withahe interests of the Garnkirk shareholders."
The motion was agreed to, and the meeting separated,
some of the members stating that the arrangement was
expscted to add 5L per share to the value of their stock.
At the meeting of the Clydesdale Junction guaranteed
shareholders Mr. Pritchard was called to the chair,
The report of the committee on the subjeet was then
read, which stated that as it stood the Bill was substans
tielly the same as when submitted to the recent meeting
of the Clydesdale Junction shareholders. The arrears
of past dividend, to the extent of 20,0001., are directed to
be provided for immediately after the passing of the
Act by the issue of Caledonian debentures or bonds.
One clause had been introduced into the Bill of a novel
character. It saves the rights of Mr. Bakendale, of
London, a holder of 300 shares in the Clydesdale stock.
Mr. Bakendale (said the committee's report) is in no
peculiar position different from other persons. He had,
like Mr. Baird, Mr. Johnston, and others, instituted
proceedings for recovery of his redemption price ;
but he was not a party to the application for appoint-
ment of judicial lector. He petitioned, like others.
against the Bill, and conducted his opposition on his
own account. He never acceded to the proposed terms
of compromise, and the committee on the Bill consi-
dered that in the circumstances they could not legislate
against him adversely, but were bound to reserve his
whole claims. The committee would have done the
same for the whole shareholders of the Clydesdale who
had given notice to redeem and instituted actions; but
as the obvious effect of such a provision would have been
to defeat the Bill, the committee of the Clydesdale
did not consider themselves warranted in making a de-
mand to that extent, and thereby encountering so serious
a risk; and, therefore, at the expense it may be of Mr.
Bakendale obtaining some advantage over the other
shareholders, they admitted his clause. The committee
are ready still to recommend the whole share-
holders to accede to the Bill and to adopt its provisions,
rather than be thrown back upon the legal remedies,
which Mr. Bakendale may yet find to be very barren of
any pecuniary benefit to him. The committee concluded
by recommending the general meeting to protest against
the isolation of a single shareholder against the wishes
of the united body, and to lodge a short petition against
the Bill in so far as that clause is concerned.
A short discussion followed, chiefly regarding Mr.
p_ekenOale's position, in which it was stated that he was
likely ro get into a perpetual law suit, without securing
any °f. the advantages which the incorporation by this
Act would otherwise give him.
The CRAIRMAN then moved the approval of the Bill
in the usualterrua, which was agreed to—one gentleman
dissenting.'
S tohLeT can
Bill
cßwaSsaaidililroinvceldudoifngbytgheonsetlempreensehnotldainngd
4,435 shares.
imge oh* then Operated.
proTahiees.
The
Arm -Glasgow was called to. the chair. The
At 6, meeting of ;tree Wishaw and Coltnese share-
holders,
Caledonian Arrangement Bill was Unanimously approved
of, on the motion of Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr.
r
Robertson.
At the meeting of the Barrhettd and Neilston share-
holders held in the company's office, MrrieCrmamitpboeflls
owma
es
called to the chair. It was, however, resolved to ad-
journ the proceedings till Aionday, to
communication as to details being made with parties in
London.

ErtEronn, Ross, AND GLoucEsTEn.—lt in intended
to commence the works on this line as
soon es possible.
'wrohrektsuntno heltcaj t
ptrhoeectci and rat,
as they will require a
Ballirgham are the first
longer time for their completion than any other portion L
ll
of the line. is belikrveil that the landowners will afford every facility to the company to proceed with
the works, so soon as the necessary arrangements are
made.
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE.--It appears the works on
the Ashbourn branch of this railway are to be menced immediately by Alumni. Braasey, on terms which are considered to be extremely favourable. The e moony of cutting the first sod took place last week,
n a pieoa' of land at Clifton, near Ashbourn, slid 0

~C ....

3 (Alia