The Polynesian., 1840-08-29
Vol. l.-NO. IL.


break and succeeding history, we are main
ly indebted to MIR. Castle, an intelligent me-
chanic residing at Hio, who ut its first APP
pearance, fastened to the spot, and was en-
abled accurately to observe its progress.
Several days before the eruption, smoke was
seen by the natives rising from the direction
where the lava afterwards burst out, but it
was attributed to brush on fire. AT two o.
clock, on Sunday, the last day of May, a
bright light was seen from Hilo towards the
south, which spread with great rapidly, and
increased to such an intensity that it was inn
mediately attributed to volcanic eruption.
This the reports of the natives soon confirm
ed. 1t was judged to be thirty miles distant,
and at night such was the brilliancy of the
light, that the finest print could be easily read
at that distance. This noon-tide brightness,
converting night into day, continued for two
weeks, and is represented by eye-witnesses,
to hare been spectacle of unsurpassed
sublimity. 1t was like the glare of firma-
ment on fire, and was seen for upwards of a
hundred miles. at sea- 1t also rose and
spread itself above the lofty mountain peaks.
so as to be distinctly visible on the leeward
side of the island, where the wind drove the
smoke in dense and massy clouds.
The lava continued flowing towards the
sea, which it reached on Thursday. four
days from its first egress. AT times it would
rush forward with velocity of four to five
miles per hour, but for short distance only.
then become very sluggish, and move heavi-
y and slowly on. Its general movement was
IN immense semi-circular masses, owing to
its great consistency. These would roll on.
gradually accommodating, until the mass had
become too heavy to hold itself together.
while the exterior was partially cooled and
solldified; then bursting, the liquifed interi-
or flowing out would join new stream and
thus aid in forming another. BY these accel-
Grated progressive movements, the wave.like
ridges were formed, which are every where
observable on the older currents At times.
it forced its way under the crcumiacent soil.
presenting the singular appearance of earth,
rocks and trees in motion like the swell of
the ocean. Mr. G. was standing near the
stream and watching its progress, when the
land beneath him began to rise, and in a few
minutes he was ten feet above his compan.
ions, who were but short distance from him.
He had barely time to leave this dangerous
situation when the earth opened, and lava
gushed out The color of the whole stream
was of the deepest crimson. On the wind
ward side its heat was not so powerful, but
that persons could approach and plunge
sticks into the fiery mass, and draw forth
specimens. So great was its viscidity, that
large rocks were seen floating down the cur
rent, like cork upon water. In one night
the stream spread from few rods to half
mile in width
The spectacle when this burning mass
reached the sea, must have been awful and
sublime in the highest degree. The conflict
between the two antagonist powers, fire and
water, was on a scale which the eye of man
but seldom witnesses. The heavens were
lit up in one intense blaze, while streams Of
fire like lightning glanced about in every d.
rection. Ashes and sand were thrown to a
great height into the air, and descended for
ii :. r