The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-10-03

Agricultural Society. But, especially, we rec
ommend it to the sober intelligence of the peo-
pie, as u subject calculated, while it developes
our sources of pecuniary advancement, also to
add to our intellectual wealth, and to the promo
ton OF that knowledge which is emphatically
said to DO power. The good old County of
Worcester, IN extent, exceeds any other in the
original New Eng land States, and its popula-
ton is greater than that of any other inland
County in the Union. Let us be emulous. then
SO to improve the advantages with which we
are blessed, as to sustain, honorably, the digni-
fled rank to which our extent, population and
resources entitle US.
AURORA BoREALIs. The singular displays
of the Aurora Borealis, of which the younger
portion of those now on the stage knew but
little, except from the reports of their fathers,
seem to have returned upon us this season in
all their former beauty and sublimity. Two
instances, those of August %, and September
8, have already been described in this paper
Another occurred on the evening of the 25th
ult. which, though inferior to the others in
grandeur and sublimity, was not surpassed by
either Of them in beauty. Soon after the sun
set, the dark appearance low in the north,
which usually accompanies this phenomenon,
became visible, and, as the day light vanished,
1t became illuminated, assuming deep GRIM
son hue. Soon after, rays of light shot I'm to
the zenith and diffused themselves over the
whole heavens, with the exception of a small
place IN the south, where, instead of descend
ing to the horizon, they rested on an arch more
oehse than other portions of the meteor, the
summit of which was elevated about II de-
grees above the horizon. Beneath this arch
and there alone, the heaven wore its usual ne!
pect. The rays converged to focus little
south OF the zenith, and around this centre
me achote reootoed from right TO left, with 4
motion SO moderate as to be noticed only bv
marking its passage over the stars. The ravs
or streaks of light varied much and often in
their appearance, at times being very dense in
particular directions, and frequently interrupt
ed by the light becoming diffused, so as to an
pear only In detached portions, and again be-
coming entire, so as TO extend from the horizon
to the zenith. Some black clouds in the north
contrasted finely with the crimson hue of the
meteor, which seemed far beyond them
The evening was mild and beautiful; the
new moon shone clear, and there was an nm
, common softness in the air, the wind BLOWING
gently from the south, with the thermometer
at % degrees. The light was strongest from,
TO quarter past clock, when it gradually
abated TIL half past seven, at which time il had
nearly disappeared. 1t however again revived
and lasted till after eight, when the sky became
overcast with clouds. At midnight, and AGAIN
towards morning it was remarkably light.
An appearance very similar to the foregoing,
was noticed in this vicinity early in the spring
OF l784,but the light then extended lower in the
SOUTH and was brighter than in the present in
stance, and was accompanied with consdera-
bic flashing. The difference may have been
chiefly owing to the brightness of the moon
light now, and its total absence then From
the year l776 to 1887 appearances resembling
those of the present season were not uncom-
mon.
We have been the more particular in our ac-
counts of these phenomena, from belief that
there might be use in placing such descrp-
tions on record for future reference In a.
mother column, our readers will find an inter-
esting article on this subject from the Essex
Register.