The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-01-08

present, Cr even OF mentioning " AFTER
wards. unless they hear some particular
| inquiries made.
| This curious irradIatioD rises from
the ocean near the Dorihern part of the
Island. Its appearance is nothing diff
ferent from blaze Of fire I whether it
actually touches the water, or merely
hoyers over il, is uncertain, for i am in-
formed that no person has been near
enough to decide accurately. 1t beams
with various mngnitudes, and appears
to bear no more analogy to the ignis ia
tuus, than it does to the Aurora borealis
Sometimes il is small, resembling the
light through distant window mt 9th
ers expanding 10 the highness of ship
with all hei canvass spread. When
large, it displays either pryamidieal
form, or three constant streams. In
the latter case, the streams are some
what blended together at the bottom,
but seperate and distinct vt the top,
while the middle one rises rather higher
than the other two. 1t may have the
same appearance when small, hut owing
to- distance and surrounding vapo,irs
cannot he clearly perceived. This light
often seems to be IN constant state OF
mutation; decreasing by degrees 1t be-
comes invisible, or resembles lucid
point then shining anew, sometimes
wi.h sudden flare, at others by a grad
ual increasement, tn its former size
Often the mutability regards the lustre
only, becoming less and ssbright until
it disappears or nothing hut pale out
line can be discerned of its full size, then
resuming its former splendour, in the
manner before related. The duration
of its greatest and least state Of illumin-
alton is not commonly more than two
or three minutes this INCONSISTENCY, how
ever, does not appear in every instance
After the radiance seems To be total
Iy extinct, it does not always return in
the same place, but is not unfrequently
seen shining at some considerable dis
tance from which it disappeared. In
this transfer oflocalty it seems to have
no certain line of direction.
When most expanded, this blaze is
generally wavering like the fialne of
torch. At one time it appears
stationary-at another progressive =
It is seen at all seasons of the year, and
for the most part i'm the calm weather
which precedes al easterlysor southerly
storm 1t has, however been noticed dur
ing severe Northwestern gale, and
when no storm Immediately followed. Its
continuance is sometime but transient, at
others throughout the night, and 1t has
been known TO apper several nights In
succession.
This blaze actually emits luminous
rays A gentleman whose house is Sit
mated near the sea, Informs me that he
has known it to illuminate considerAbiy
dows. This happens only when the
light is within half mile Of the shors !;
for it is often seen blnzing at six or seven
miles distance, and strangers suppose it
to he vessel on fire.
Having gwen concise, but geneial
description of this unusual radiance, in
which have been aided by the concur
rent testimony of divers veritable char
acters, will now offer you those obser-
vations afforded me by the opportunities
| have had for visiting it myself. The
first time ] beheld it was at evening twi.
light, in February, 1910. 1t was large
and gently lambent, very bright, brond
at the bottom and terminating acutely
upward.-From each side seemed to
issue rays Of faint light, similar to those
perceptible in any blaze placed in The
open air at night. II continued about
fifteen minutes from the time irst ob-
served it; then gradually became smaller
and more dim, until it was entirely ex-
tinguishsd.
saw it again on the evening of Dec.
the Goth. 1t was then small, and sun
posed it To be light on board of some
vessel, but | was soon undeceived. II
moved along, apparently parallel to tie
shore, for about two miles in the time
that was riding one, at a moderate
pace. An ascent of ground then hid 1t
for few minutes from my view Pas
sing this l observed it about half way
back to the place where it had commence
ed ITS vagrant career. | then stopped to
observe it more attentiveIy. The light
then remained still for some ,ime-then
moved off quickly for several rods, and
made halt t; thus being in n state of al
ternate motion and rest. Its magnitude
and iustre were subject to the same un-
steadincss described above.
This lucid meteor has long been known
by the name Of the Palaiine light. By
the ignorant and supersti,ious, it is
thought to be supernatural. Its appeIIa
ton originated from that of shin called
the Palatine, which was designedly cast
away, at this place, in the beginning of
the last century, in order to conceal, as
tradition reports, the inhuman treatment
and murder Of some of its unfortunate