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

THE TOTAL ECLIPSE of THE SUN
ON JULY 28.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—Theaproaching eclipse of the sun on Monday,
July 28, is the only one that will be total in parts easily
accessible from this country for many years to come, and
for this reason it is not improbable many continental
tourists may be induced to locate themselves on the line
of the total phase in order to witness the grand natural
phenomena that occur on such occasions. The more ob-
servers there are the better, and it is a matter of fact
that amateurs have hitherto succeeded quite as well as
professed astronomers in their descriptions and observa-
tions. On this account I beg to send you the following
summary of the most remarkable appearances, celestial
and terrestrial, which have been noticed in past years, in
the hope that it may be acceptable to many who have no
opportunity of consulting astronomical works upon the
subject. I prefix a few particulars relative to the eclipse
of the 28th of this month.
The last total eclipse of the sun visible in London
took place in April, 1715, and there will be no other till
the morning of August 19, 1887. The eclipse of the
present year will be total in the southern parts of Nor-
way and Sweden, in northern Prussia, Poland, and Russia;
the principal places within the zone covered by the
moon's shadow being Christiania, Bergen, the well-
known port of Gothenburg, Carlskrona, Dantzic,
Konigsberg, and Warsaw. The eclipse will be more
or less visible to the whole of North America, the
North Atlantic Ocean down to the thirtieth degree of
latitude, the whole of Europe, and the northern part of
Africa. The total eclipse will commence on the N.W.
coast of North America, near Queen Charlotte's Island,
traversing the continent of America, over the Rocky
Mountains, to the Slave Lake, which will be in
entire darkness at lh. 30 P.M. Greenwich time.
Afterwards the central line passes over Melville penin-
sula into Greenland, where it arrives at 2h. 5. Hence
it passes north of Iceland, and reaches the coast of
Norway, at a place called Brmkke, about forty miles
north of Bergen, the total eclipse extending at this
time over a zone 150 miles broad. Its after course lies
in the direction of the town of Elbing, near the coast of
Prussia, between Dantzic and Konigsberg, thence
across the south-west of Russia, near Kobrin, in the
province of Grodno, Jitomir, and Ivanovka, to the Sea
of Azov, which will be involved in darkness about 6b.
P.M. local time, while the sun is yet at a considerable
altitude in the heavens.

By a special calculation of the circumstances of the
phenomenon for Christiania, we find the total eclipse
will begin at 3h. 46m. 35. P.M. mean time at that place,
and end at 3h. 48m. 475., so that the duration of total
darkness will be 2m. 445. Similarly, by calculating the
:ondition for Gothenburg, in Sweden, it appears that the
tal phase will commence at 3h. 64m. 495. P.M., and end
E;3b. 58m. 7e. local time. At Dantzic the last ray of
ehe sun will vanish 4h. 30m. 558' "I" the darkness
ending at 4h. 33m. 593. At Konigsberg this phase will
commence at 4h. 381 n. 8.3., and end at 4h. 41w. 13s. The
sun will be hidden at Bergen 3m. 225., at Carlskrona 3m.
1919 and at Wlrsaw Im. 570-
ALI London about 82-100tha of the sun's disc will be
covered by the moon, and although some degree of ob.
scurity must necessarily take place, it is not likely to be
very great. The gloom, however, is usually of a peculiar
nature, sensibly different from that caused by a clouded
sky, and if the heavens are overcast at the time, a mist
has sometimes risen as the greatest phase approached,
giving the surrounding landscape the same appearance
that we notice early on a dull October morning. In the
metropolis the eclipse will commence at four minutes
after 2 o'clock P.M., and w ill end at a quarter past 4;
the middle or greatest phase will take place at 12 minutes
after 3 o'clock, and at this moment the sun will appear
as a harrow crescent, having the convex border towards
the horizon. _ _

The progress of a solar eclipse after the first contact
of the moon with the sun's limb is not usually of any
particular interest, even to the astronomer, until a short
time before his disc is wholly obscured by our satellite.
The diminution of light then becomes very marked, and
the darkness rapidly deepens as the centres of the sun
and moon approach, the final extinction of the sun's
rays being always very sudden. As soon as the total
eclipse has commenced, or, according to some accounts,
a few seconds before the narrow solar crescent has
vanished, a very beautiful appearance presents itself, in
the form of a luminous corona, or border of light, which
surrounds the sun and moon during the continuance
of the total eclipse, and disappears witnin a few seconds
of the time when the first returning ray is seen. It
has been described as composed of a circular zone con-
tiguous to the dark border of the moon, and of a
second zone, less luminous, contiguous to the first.
But the greater number of the observers of the eclipse
of July, 1842, do not allude to any second zone of light
further distant from the moon's limb than the brighter
one, the intensity of light appearing to them to dimi-
nish ♦ery gradually from the dark burder of the moon
until it assimilated itself with the general ground colour
of the heavens. Other observers, compare it to the
"glory" with which the painters surround the heads of
saints, divergent rays of light streaming off from the
moon's limb in every direction. Others, while giving
the corona the same general form as before, refer to
certain rays, or aigrettes, as the French term them,
extending beyond the auroleola. The brightness of
the corono varies greatly at different stations during
the same eclipse, according to atmospheric conditions,
and possibly with some regard to the altitude of the
sun and moon above the horizon. In the total eclipse
of July, 1842, tfie light was so intensely brilliant at
Lipesk, in Russia, that the eye supported it with
difficulty, and many persons doubted if the sun had
really vanished. Yet in France and Italy its brightness
was far inferior; the light was not strong enough to
throw a perceptible shadow, and one observer at Padua
estimated its intensity to be that of the full mcon as 1
to 7. As might be expected, there is a similar want of
accordance with regard to the colour of the luminosity
forming the corona. In 1842 some persons, who were
most favourably situated and under the best atmospheric
conditions, considered it perfectly white without the
slightest tinge of colour during its continuance. At
Milan it was straw-coloured, and the astronomers of the
Observatory at Paris, who went to the south of France
to make their observations, agree in giving a yellowish
tinge. On previous oceasions it bas been described
as pearl or peach-coloured, reddish, golden yellow, or
presenting the hues of the rainbow. In 1706 it was like
a ring of gold at Nuremburg. The breadth has also
been variously estimated. At Perpignan in 1842, the
light of the corona could be traced to a distance Equal to
one-third of the moon's apparent diameter from her bor-
der. At Lipesk, where it was so advantageously viewed,
some of the rays attained a distance of six or eight lunar
diameters. The Astronomer Royal observing at the
Superga, near Turin, assigned the corona an angular
dimension of only one-eighth of the moon's apparent
breadth. Some observers have drawn attention to an ap-
parent flickering and whirling motion of the corona, re-
sembling the effects produced by certain kinds of fire-
works. At Lipesk, in 1842, this luminous ring was in
a state of violent agitation. _

But the most ie. markable phenomenon during a total
eclipse, and that which most excited the attention
of astronomers in July, 1842, is the sudden visi-
bility of rose-coloured prominences, or "red flumes"
as toy are usually called, in different positions on
the dark border of the moon, and projected on the
light of the corona. Their appearance is always instan-
taneous, and the same form is preserved as long as they
are visible. At some places three or more were
seen, in others only two; generally they were perceived
on the northern limb of the moon at distances of thirty
degrees or upwards from each other. M. Arago says
they were of a rosystint:hbut with a violet-hue in some
in
points (possibly frown the efrpot of contrast), and at-
tained an altitude of more that one minute of arc from
Other the moon's limb.
ofr astronomers compare them
to the snowy summits Alps illumined by the
rising or setting sun, and the resemblance was further
strengthened by the immobility of the protuberance
and the absence of all aPP t>arance of scintillation.
Professor Santini, of Padua,
heallls them" pyramids of
Milan fire," and an observer at compares them to
" burning coals." Many authorities, ti r while agreeing
in the general reddish colour of these prominences,
mention the purplish or viola hues. of certain points,
and also record the appearance of a border of rosy
light round a considerable extent of the moon's limb.ry
During the eclipse of August, 1850,
Island it
was total
at l 41a
Honolulu, in the Sandwie
that the red flames were largests'onittheweasastern
re-
marked
limb at the commencement of total darkness,l
but the
dark body of the moon seemed graduaellaysttooreoi•Fr them
es it advanced across the sun ,in an
and as gradually to render visible more andy direction,
more of
the red flames
on the opposite limb. This is pre-
cisely the effect that should be produced, supposing
them to exist in the upper regions of thep solarg
atmosphere, and the observation consequently
p els _
much strengthens the view taken with respect to thevery
na-
ture of the rose-coloured prominences by M. Arago. Itwas further remarked at Honolulu that in the re • e
point occupied bythe tern protuberance
was visible when els
•of a dark spot
that ortion the sun's surface w
brought into viewdays afterwards by hisas
rotation. These some
the interest axial•
acts will add to
.attaching
to the observations of the approaching eclipse.
The corona and red
flames are the most conspicuous
celestial phenomena --
and at the same Lima a total eclipse of the sun,
upon the physical e most important as bearing
are others which well structuredeserve
of that luminary. But there
such observers as are peor,vied attention at the hands of
derate power. Amongst the? with telescopes of mo•
visibility of the contour of the may be instanced the
sun's disc prior or subsequentetenoon which is off the
even before the 'first mutest (~f '' the total phase, arid
the appearance of dishes of white or sun and moon ;
over the surface of our satellite as the orcoloured light
the illumination of solar spots near eclipsethe progresses;
peculiar colour of portions ef her moon's edge ;
disc, as black
blue girdle, reddish purple gradually darkening with a
the centre, or dusky gray brighter towards the towards
a greater or less illumination of the entire .the sun;
moon and the visibility of the spots
upon her
disc of the
sUr.
e.ese ; the formation of what are termed „Bai
beads, " or bright drop, which become visible when
the uneclipsed portion of the sun is very narrow,
i e , inameeiattly before the commencement and after
the end if the total eclipse, &c. It appears to be highly
desirable that the positions of the solar spots should be
determined with some degree of accuracy fourteen days
before; and atter the eclipse, and I will venture to suggest
this class of cbservation to amateur astronomers who are
provided with suitable means. Those portions of the
sun's disc which prPtent facula, or streaks of a brighter
character than the greater part of Lis surface, should
also be noticed.
As already remarked, the diminution of light is not
11. pally very great until about a quarter of an hour before
the commencement of the total eclipse. The brighter
planets then become visiblethe naked and when
to
the i
sun
_ s wh
n 1 iy obscured, stars of the first and
second magnitudes come into view. In 1842 the
greatest number of stars
was ten, and few Persons could distinguish more

i than five or six. (During the approaching
eclipse the sun will be situate in Cancer, the
i brightest stars in his vicinity being Castor, Pollux,
l 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 5 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 Binge 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 bands 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-green. At Cremona, in 1842, the whole
landscape appeared as though it were illuminated by a
" Bengal light," and in other prices objects put on first
a greenish tinge, which subsequently changed to
saffron, violet, or purple, as the obscurity grew
deeper. The unnatural appearance of human figures
is a fact particularly mentioned by those who wit-
nessed the last eclipse in 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, e enthusiasm was equally great.
The streets of Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands,
tal
were covered with pieces of smoked glass after the
in Paris by the mere announce •
eclipse of August, 1850—a fact contrasting strikingly
with the alarm produced
ment of a total eclipse in 1654, when, as M. Arago
numbers sought protection in caves. The sudden
prevailed amongst the vast multitudes col-
Sait lal
eCet etne cds e,
i thatthe 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
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 atop 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-
noised. 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. HIND.
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 Coat-
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 8111. They had 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-
ligation, 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 48,000 L,
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 effectually resolved; that their
right to rank first of all the guaranteed interests on the
Caledonian funds 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;—for all these reasons the committee had no hesi-
tation in recommending that the Act should be ap-
proved of.
The clauses of the Bill we're 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 with the interests of the Garnkirk shareholders."

The motion was agreed to, and the meeting separated,
some of the members stating that the arrangement was
expected to add 51. 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 subject was then
read, which stated that as it stood the Bill was substan-
tially the same as when submitted to the recent meeting
of the Clydesdale Junction shareholders. The arrears
of past dividend, to the extent of 20,0004, 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 factor. 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 siegle 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.
ji kendale's position, in which it was stated that he was
likely to get into a perpetual law suit, without securing
any of the advantages which the incorporation by this
Act would otherwise give him.
The CHAIRMAN then moved the approval of the Bill
in the usual terms, which was agreed to—one gentleman

said, including those p .
proxies, the Bill was approved of by gentlemen The SOLICITOR
p reens ehnot l
dal
nn
gd
4,435 shares.
The meeting then separated.
At meeting of the Wishaw and Coltness share-
holder=, heerit,Mr. Glasgow was called to the chair. The
Caledonian Arrangement Bill was unanimously approved
of, on the ;nation of Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr.
Robertson.
At the meeting of the Farrhead and Neilston share-
holders held in the c( ropany's cffiee, Mr. Campbell was
called to the chair. It was, however, resolved to ad-
journ the proceedings till Monday, to permit of some
communication as to details Long made with parties in
London.

tlt —lt in intended
HEREFORD, Roes, AND GLOTRIEST., •
es possible.
to commence the works on this line as soon
The tunnels at the Lea and at Ballingha—mare th
works to be proceeded with, as they
will
requireportion
longer time for their completion than any other
will
%viers .
of the line. It is believed that the lando
with
efirsat
aff)rd every facility to the company to proceed vn
the works, no soon as the necessary arrangements aro
made.
NORTH ►STAPEORDBHIRE.--It appears ' the works on
the Ashbourn branch of this railway are to be com-
menced immediately by Messrs. Brassey, on terms
which are considered to be extremely favourable. The
eremony of cutting the first sod took place last week,
n s pleas of land at Clifton, near tialabourn, and a