Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-09-20
AURoRAL DISPLAY At rar WHITE MOUNTAINS.
FRoM THE BOSTON rRAHscRIPT.
CnAwYoRD HousE, WHITE MOUNTAIN NorcH,


SEPrEMBER 8, 1851.
Mr.. EDI1oR Metsoric phenomena Of such wonderful
kind witnessed here last Saturday evening that they
seemed those of travelling in this region who for
tunste enough behold them demand public notice
and trust you will with in opinion, although
description, much less my own, do justice this sim
guary brilliant and appalling display Of celestial fire.
works During the whole of the evening observed the
ordinary tranquil Aurora Illuminating portion Of the north
hemisphere, and shining with mild steady white light
but reaaked variation Of color form and not till
about half past eleven that the arGcouricr of tho coming
exhibition appeared in the shape of luminous band, stretch
ing suddenly the sky, and oscaing with remuous
motion. gentleman from Philadelphia had proposed walk
ing down into the Notch to view by moonlight and,
drew near it. the twin Titans guarding the entrance stood
boldly forth against Of unusual cleanese while the mist
collected in the valley lit by the and stars, resem
bled sleeping lake.
Having advanced quite distance into the Notch,
cned upon elevated rock to contemplate the rugged gram
deu of tho cliffs, they in the clear soft ght when
eyes greeted by the aforementioned phenomenon
As lay fat backs, sudden. from the upper
edge Of the shining segment in the north, while the lower
part grew dark shot forth nnumerabe rays like Of liquid
light, which preserved their form moment appearing like
espenden diadem Of solid diamond the Egyptian brow Of
night Obong spots Of brilliant light sPang into view
n various quarters which, becoming gradually elongated
burst the top scattering of light in all directions
Soon broad shining columns from different points in
the horizon, moving slowly at first then dang with In
credible swiness-suddeny vanishing and reappearng of
increased bancy ecpsng the gh. of the planets and the
sky and finally enarging, after infinite changes OF FORM
occupy the whole heavens
universal undulatoy notion similar the swell Of the
sea or the motion of wind-swepl field of grain, but
rapid than the dart OF the frightened serpent proved the
of increased beauty and Of the most truly amazing
phenomena small pchy cloud Of irregular form appears
the zentb which, were, kndes and eits tongues of
fame of the vaegaed and brilliant huesgreen purple
pink golden, and voeand Of fire, shooting in
sinuous course, when " Hell's standard bearer
"From the glittering staff unfarled
Th'imperal ensign, which, full high advanced,
Shone like meteor, streaming to the wind, ts
With gems and golden lostre rich imbazed;' -
while all over the heavens cloud like massee flushed with the
richest nts like the gancing light Oh the polished steel.
evolve the twinkng Of eye countless forms Of beauty,
as, following the chefain's ensign,
"Al in through the gloom were seen
Ten thousand banners rising in the sir,,
With orient colors waving 20 .,
and sulphurous Aames seeming from The mounisns
daed from behind, resembling the bursting forth of volcanic
fires
Such scene calculated to excite The nobles emotions
never expect to behold again worth voyage across
the Atlantic Il might be compared canopy tent,
suspended from the zenith nwOught with gold and silver,
rubes and emerads, and shaken by mighty wind And
would require vivid imagination o shut in as we were
by eternal reck with the skies kndog over our heads to
above him the retted rsof Of Psndemon'um set with
cressets, fed with nsphha and ssphsln. and around.
gigantic forms reposng the rocky cooches OF tnk
her stores opened and this 6rmamen sporting Ca
tarscss Of FIRE, "impendipg horrors threatening noeons s
Nearly oil the colors the spectrum were exhibited In
dazzling succession, ss being especially prominent Wncn
landlord informs has never been seen here before
though red 10 quite common Nothing was wanting except
the Kissing and ersekns noises sometimes heard here and
freouent in high po,,bern studes the solemn stiffness,
boueveY added thought, to the sublimiy Of the
Ater the lapse half hour the varied coOrs sradu
.ly faded and dim white light alone remained in the uorth
ern sky The snroe boreses Of Laand, descr bed by
Maupcrtus and Others very similar to this dsr az Tho
weather at mountains, for three days. has been the
wsrmes, of sessonthe ermome,e ranging from 900
eso Yours, truly, A. RUssEIL, Cambridge.
w. s. RoeERs, boston.
]. ID. SAReEsT, Philadelphis.