The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-08-05


his own, quarter of mile distant: at
which his family being concerned, a number
of persons went out to search for him. We
found him near a swamp, with soiled clothes
and thoughtful counteDance, reclining by
a fence. The account he gave was, that
he had been led into the swamp by Jack
a-lantern. His story was no doubt true, and
yet had littlefof the marvellous in it. The
night being dark, and the mans senses a
little disordered withal, by glass too much
of his neighbours cherry, on approaching
his house, he saw light, and not suspect
ing that it was not upon his mantle, made
towards it, A bush or bog might have led
to the same place, if he had happened to
take it for his chimney top.
In relation to the subject Of the foregoing ar
ticle the following is the substance of COM
munication published in the Boston Advertiser
Of Thursday last
| noticed yesterday in your paper an
extract from Siliman's Journal, attempting
/ to phIlosophize, and explain the nature and
cause OF the leng wcndered-at and mystic
rlous luminous appearances called Ignis-
Fatuus, Will-o'the- wisp, Jacka-lantern, and
( (as they are called by sailors) Complaints.
They have long been objects of wonder to
| the philosopher, and of fear to the super
stitious, and in nv humble opininon must
long continue so. Mr.. Mitchell's philoso-
ply of the nature and cause of the appear
ances is very reasonable, as far as it goes,
but does not embrace one half of the sphere
in which they move. 1t is known to those
who are accustomed to sea voyages that
these delusive wonders and wanderers, are
much oftener met with at sea, than on land,
where the credulous and superstitious sail
ors, make them harbiDgers of good and
evil, during their voyage. In the first place,
according to Mr.. Ms. philosophy, they can
not be locomotive, and secondly, they are
only to be met with in low marshy fens
Now, will relate one simple fact, which
can easily be suhstartiated.
In April, 1925, was crossing the gulf
stream, as passenger in the ship China,
bound from China to Salem, and as it is we'll
known, there is much cloudy, damp and I'M
pleasant weather on this part of the ocean );
at night in particular, the clouds thicken up
and it becomes very dark and gloomy, and
every thing around seems to present most
threatening aspect; the atmosphere be-
comes thin and humid and the darkness in
consequence, oftentimes becomes equal to
that of dungeon. Ga such mig hts these
Lights or cnnaplizants- -apnaar-nn- diffara
parts of the masts, rigging, &c.-3, and 5
at a time-I had previously requested the
sailors who kept the watch at night, if they
saw any of these, to be sure and call me,
for | was determined TO have a more
thorough acquaintance with them, if it were
possible, and no sooner was there one dis
covered than | was notified. | went on
deck, but alas it was quite out of my reach,
being fixed to the truck Of the main y-sail
mast. / stood and gazed at it few Sec
onds, when it disappeared, and no more
were seen that night. The next night
was called again, came on deck, and were
to he seen, one on the main yard arm, one
on the main topsail yard arm, and one on
the main royal-mast GROSS trees. careful
y climbed up the rigging on to the main
yard. got within about three feet of it, and
stopped to examine to see if could discover
any thing from which the light seemed to
proceed, which appeared to be about one
inch in diameter; it would expand and con-
tract again at irregular periods, sometimes
its size would be more than doubled it
appeared much brighter sometimes than
others, which at its brightest, was very
pale watched it for some or 10 min
utes, but could make no discovery that was
satisfactory to me. | approached little
nearer so that could reach it, but the mo-
menl lifted my hand to take hold Of it, it
disappeared; / then made for one Of the
others, but before got on the main top, two
others appeared upon the main topmast,
within 3 feet of each other, and where
could reach them very handilY; ard after
getting nearer to them than | did before,
stopped to see if / could make any new dis
covery but equally unsuccessful, though
had much better view again very
calmly attempted to take hold of one, but It
disappeared before my hand was within a
\ foot of it. | climbed up to the next, and
thought would make sudden grasp at it,
but when put my hand where it was, it
was not there, and in like manner I spent
shout three hours trying to catch or obtain
closer view of one hut was equally un-
successful. ! tried again the third night,
and drove them from place to place all over
the rigging, but all to no effect, and gave
up the chase.
1 Now, sir, if the Rev. Mr.. Mitchell or Pro-
\ fessor Silliman will allow these lights to be
the Same kind as those seen on land in
swamps, meadows, &C., you must admit
complete refutation of Mr.. Mitchell's phi
losophy, OH the two points which have con
sidered. B. X. HARwooD.
| SoURcE OF SALT IN SEA WArER. 1t
has been supposed by some naturalis,s, that
salt in the sea has been gradually augment
ed by saline PARTICLES brought into the
rivers, but this cause is totally inadequate
to explain the immense quantity Of salt ex-
listing IN the whole mass of the ocean. If
1 the avpYa0p denfh of the sen no IN miles
of the saline residue would exceed 1000
feet.-BakesceIrs Introduction 10 Geology
! Coon REASON ron DRINKING. A gem